During the fall 2024 trimester, USAO’s Student Government Association (SGA) made headway on its goal of becoming more engaging, unified, and leaving a legacy. With a new trimester underway, it’s time to reflect on SGA’s accomplishments from the last trimester, as well as get an idea of what is to come in 2025.
“One thing I’ve been happy seeing is the engagement on campus, it’s improved a lot. In the past [SGA] has been closed off and almost exclusive, now we’re putting more effort to be inclusive and get everyone on campus involved,” said SGA President Harry Cracknell.
SGA’s engagement begins with the establishment of different committees. These committees are meant to allow students across campus with varying concerns or issues of importance to have input on SGA and their accomplishments on campus.
Committees include Public Relations, International Students, Health and Wellness, Access and Opportunity, Accessibility, Athletics, and Legislative Assistance.
SGA has also established a Club President’s Committee where presidents of each registered student organization get together to communicate their plans for the trimester. This committee helps flow ideas around campus and allows SGA to see what events they can help sponsor.
As for his thoughts on the committees, Cracknell is a fan. With the help of campus administration, he can see the impact already.
“I love the committees. We’re trying to cater SGA to the whole campus rather than a small group and [the committees] help give students a voice. We’re working more with administration than we have in the past and some of that is due to President Hale and her leadership team. They’ve been exceptional towards us and have had an open-door policy to hear our thoughts and concerns,” said Cracknell.
In terms of unifying campus, SGA sponsored events on campus including Rush Week for Zeta Zeta Zeta and Sigma Psi Omega, American Indian Student Alliance’s Fall Powwow, University Music Appreciation’s Tie Dye event, and more. SGA also provided volunteer opportunities through blood drives.
One goal SGA had in the fall 2024 trimester was to leave a legacy through initiatives. Simply, to make an impact on campus that will last after we all graduate and to set an example for the future of SGA.
Legacy projects accomplished in the fall 2024 trimester include: raising approximately $1,000 for President Hale’s Emergency Student Fund through merchandise sales, partnering with Sodexo to open the C-store and the Daily Grind on weekends, advocating to fill in potholes around campus, partnering with maintenance to put up “Accessible Entry” signs around campus, placing a new pool table in Lawson Clubhouse, and more.
Cracknell is proud of the legacy accomplishments of SGA but wants it to be known that there is more in store for spring 2025. SGA’s work is ongoing and leaving behind a legacy is something that this group hopes will continue in the future.
“All these changes are showing that students can step up and can be leaders on campus. These initiatives will hopefully leave a legacy that will make future students want to get involved and do better,” said Cracknell. “My goal is to have someone fill my spot when I leave that will do an even better job.”
USAO’s SGA is working hard to represent the student body. Those who are interested in contributing to their efforts can attend their senate meetings every Thursday at 11 a.m. in Davis Hall 224.
Matthew Yokum is a third-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
