On Wednesday afternoon the incoming Student Government Association executive board held an open forum with WCU students to discuss its plans for the upcoming term. The new executive board consists of President Len Altieri, Vice President Danielle Holzmann, Secretary Evan Lieb, Treasurer Michael Wyatt and Parliamentarian Katie McCool.
The question and answer session was moderated by Jason Mckairnes and was held in the Sykes Student Union ballrooms. Students were invited to attend and submit their questions to the new board. The SGA election committee, which is headed by outgoing Secretary Meghan Dun, also submitted several questions.
“I think that it’s important that we bring back the visibility of the Senate,” said Altieri, who noted the importance of returning SGA meetings to Sykes as opposed to their current location in Brandywine Hall.
“It’s important for students to know who their senators are because they represent the student body,” said Holzmann, further echoing the day’s theme of improved visibility and increased transparency.
In addition to those ideas, the topic of parking was also a reoccurring point of conversation.
“I think parking is the most important issue to the student body,” McCool stated.
Earlier on, Lieb noted that his goals included improving parking on campus through a potential new parking garage, as well as through offering incentives for students who car pool.
Every member of the incoming executive board also stressed the importance of increasing campus unity and school spirit. Holzmann hopes to accomplish this by “getting more students involved on campus.”
From a financial perspective, Wyatt detailed his plan to create an “audit system” to put in place so that SGA can better monitor how student organizations are spending their allotted budgets.
Another one of Altieri’s goals for the upcoming year was to ensure that WCU was more compliant with ADA regulations.
The incoming SGA executive board was elected two weeks ago without a University-wide vote. This was done in accordance with SGA bylaw which allows for candidates who are running unopposed to be accepted by two thirds Senate vote.
Colin McGlinchey is a fifth year student majoring in English with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at CM646588@wcupa.edu