SGA President Discusses Presidential Platform, A.C.T.I.O.N. Jackson
By: Janelle Jackson
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Editorial
Although I believe I have been one of the most visible Presidents since I've been here, I really wish my administration had the opportunity to do dorm walk-throughs at the beginning of the school year. I have noticed that not a lot of freshmen get involved with SGA their first year. This would have been a great way to get them engaged. But one of the downfalls of my position is how much sole responsibility I have to assume in Homecoming production. We are one of the few HBCU's that makes the SGA President responsible for Homecoming activities. I knew that was the case when I signed up, but I didn't realize the amount of detail that actually goes in to planning homecoming.
Communication-I wanted to bridge the gap between the students, the alumni, and the administration. When I first got my position, I went around to all of the faculty, staff, and administrators to introduce myself and get to know them, their position, and how it fits in to the everyday operations of CAU. I have sent personal invitations to administrators to attend all town hall meetings so that they would be able to hear the students issues at the most fundamental level. I have showcased our students to the alumni in a different capacity with the assistance of Dr. Debbie Miller and the office of Institutional Advancement. In the last issue of the CAU Magazine I had the opportunity to recognize one of our future stars. Robert King, who was overwhelmingly elected to deliver a charge to his classmates in the summer of 2007. I did this because I wanted the alumni to see that the students here are doing far more than the media allows others to see. To date, I cannot think of an issue that a student has brought to me that I have not been able to resolve.
My biggest criticism from others and of myself was the lack of publicity for Homecoming. I have to take full responsibility for that. My goal for Homecoming was to make all of the events free for CAU students. It did not make sense for us to generate our budget from your student activities fees and charge you again to attend the events. In an attempt to cut costs, I solicited a corporate sponsor who had effectively contributed to an election campaign last spring. The materials presented by this company for the campaign were very well designed and delivered in a timely fashion. I had the proofs in hand a few weeks before, but when it came time to deliver the product the relationship quickly deteriorated. Needless to say, a lack of promptness and professionalism on the part of the sponsor led to a late arrival of the flyers and posters. I say this not to displace the blame as it does lie with me, but rather to explain my thought process. I always said I would tell you the truth, even if it hurts me.
Communication-I wanted to bridge the gap between the students, the alumni, and the administration. When I first got my position, I went around to all of the faculty, staff, and administrators to introduce myself and get to know them, their position, and how it fits in to the everyday operations of CAU. I have sent personal invitations to administrators to attend all town hall meetings so that they would be able to hear the students issues at the most fundamental level. I have showcased our students to the alumni in a different capacity with the assistance of Dr. Debbie Miller and the office of Institutional Advancement. In the last issue of the CAU Magazine I had the opportunity to recognize one of our future stars. Robert King, who was overwhelmingly elected to deliver a charge to his classmates in the summer of 2007. I did this because I wanted the alumni to see that the students here are doing far more than the media allows others to see. To date, I cannot think of an issue that a student has brought to me that I have not been able to resolve.
My biggest criticism from others and of myself was the lack of publicity for Homecoming. I have to take full responsibility for that. My goal for Homecoming was to make all of the events free for CAU students. It did not make sense for us to generate our budget from your student activities fees and charge you again to attend the events. In an attempt to cut costs, I solicited a corporate sponsor who had effectively contributed to an election campaign last spring. The materials presented by this company for the campaign were very well designed and delivered in a timely fashion. I had the proofs in hand a few weeks before, but when it came time to deliver the product the relationship quickly deteriorated. Needless to say, a lack of promptness and professionalism on the part of the sponsor led to a late arrival of the flyers and posters. I say this not to displace the blame as it does lie with me, but rather to explain my thought process. I always said I would tell you the truth, even if it hurts me.
