Written by Karina Kosmala

Student Government Association, SGA, can be seen around campus, hosting public forums or conducting surveys on hotly-debated topics that affect both the students, as well as the faculty and staff at Concordia University Chicago (CUC).

SGA is composed of several students along with Executive Board members: President Tami Adeeyo, Vice President Melanie Gallardo, Treasurer Andres Salvador, Secretary Jacob Mills, Speaker Thomas McNamara, and Advisors Joan Henehan and Sam Seggerson. Within SGA, there are Senators that are designated as committee chairs in handling a specific part of CUC: the food and facilities committee with Senator Adrian Hernandez, the academic committee with Senator Jessica Metcalf, and student outreach with Senator Wendy Vega.

SGA helps in voicing the concerns that CUC students may be questioning and discussing it with the administration, faculty, and staff at CUC.

“SGA is that bridge between administration, faculty, and staff and students. If we hear concerns or opinions from the students, it’s our responsibility to bring it up during a senate meeting and discuss whether or not to act on it and how,” said President Tami Adeeyo.

Earlier this semester, SGA asked students to fill out surveys about their academic advising experience, while in the fall semester, SGA held a public forum addressing the smoking policy at CUC and whether CUC should go smoke-free. Other issues that SGA has discussed included library cafe hours, library hours, renovating the Commuter Lounge and updating the Cougar Den.

“I really hope that we can accomplish renovating the commuter lounge and updating the facility making it a space that is comfortable but useful for the students,” said Adeeyo.

Students can apply to be a part of SGA by asking any member of SGA (executive member, committee chair, senator or advisor) for an application. President Adeeyo recommends that to sit in on a senate meeting to “get a feel for the club.”