SGA Discusses Student Concerns
Bluefield College’s Student Government Association (SGA) met Tuesday, September 24 to discuss concerns shared by students during a recent SGA-sponsored open forum.
The town-hall-style forum provided an opportunity for upset students to voice their concerns with SGA and BC administrators, including Anne Pelchar, director of student engagement; Josh Arnold, associate vice president of student development; and Jess Smith, director of residence life.
After the open forum, members of SGA followed up with students who shared their concerns to see if any BC administrator had spoken to them about their issue. SGA also discussed the idea of having another town hall meeting sometime after Fall Break to find out from students if improvements have been made. The administration expressed their desire to be a part of follow-up forms so that they might share progress on addressing students’ concerns.
“I also think we should incorporate a brief report period so that the administration and SGA, too, can provide an overview of what has been done about issues or concerns that were raised at the last town hall,” said BC president Dr. David Olive.
The purpose of the open forums and the follow-up meetings and reports is to keep lines of communication open between students and the administration.
In other related business, the SGA set up a meeting with a food services advisory committee to discuss Valley Food Services, the college’s dining provider. The food services advisory committee is made up of a diverse selection of students who share their opinions about the food in the dining hall. One product of the SGA’s work with this committee is a change in the hours of service for dinner on campus to better accommodate students who have practice for sports or some other extracurricular activity. The new dinner hours are from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The SGA is also still searching for more senate members. The secretary and treasurer spots are being filled with willing students who applied. If you know someone or if you are interested in being involved with SGA as a senator, or if you have questions, comments or concerns, feel free to contact SGA by email at studentgovernment@bluefield.edu.
The SGA meets every Tuesday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. inside the third floor lyceum in the Science Center.