SGA Inauguration: Reflecting on past, looking forward to future
The Central Michigan University Student Government Association met for the last time this academic year on Monday in the Health Professions Room 1020. It held the inauguration of the incoming president vice president and treasurer, presented awards for students involved in SGA and heard addresses from the outgoing SGA board and campus community.
New SGA President Tyler Zimmerman, Vice President Ryan Biller and Treasurer Natalie Brant took the positions from 2022-23 President Taylor Idema, Vice President Natalie Brant and Treasurer Eve Vicary.
CMU President Robert Davies in a speech to the assembly congratulated the outgoing executive board for its achievements this year.
“What outstanding leadership,” Davies said. “It was through the combination of your leadership and this group of outstanding leaders throughout the campus that you can look back on this past year and ... proclaim victory.”
Highlights of the past
Idema reflected on programs, legislation and events SGA organized this year. She remembered the visit of Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer on Oct. 9.
“It was crazy, it was during the homecoming week, but it was really cool,” Idema said. “That event had upwards of 300 people attending.”
Brant this year led an initiative to place free menstrual products in restrooms across campus. Idema pointed to that as one of SGA's noted accomplishments.
The outgoing president also recalled the tragic events on the Michigan State University campus and SGA’s response to it. SGA held a candlelight vigil and a solidarity gathering for the victims of the February shooting.
“In the midst of tragedy, it was really a beautiful event, and it was really inspiring just to see so many different campus groups come together,” Idema said.
From recent highlights, last Friday, April 21, SGA organized a State of the Student Body. It was a platform for students to have their achievements recognized according to Zimmerman.
The event had eight student-speakers, including Brant, Biller, Joseph Marah, Lucas Sherman, Eric Urbaniak, Nova Moore, Christa Paull and Carnell Poindexter. They talked about the living on campus, disability access, international students, sustainability and more.
Zimmerman said it is an “old returning tradition,” and he is hoping to hold the State of the Student Body next year as well.
For the upcoming events, Idema announced a TEDx conference coming to CMU this Saturday, April 29. It will take place from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. in French Auditorium. Idema said the tickets to the conference were sold in 34 minutes.
The SGA meeting also recognized students for their work and accomplishments in SGA committees, SGA cabinet and SGA liaisons.
Jennifer Nottingham, executive director of the Recreation Programs and Student Activities, is SGA advisor.
“It was really a pleasure to be here with this administration to learn the ins and outs of SGA,” Nottingham said. “It’s amazing to see the work that (SGA has) done to support our students and it’s been a pleasure working with (SGA). … Thank you for warming up my heart and firing me up.”
The future of SGA
Biller, Brant and Zimmerman took an oath to uphold the Constitution Bylaws of the SGA at CMU.
Zimmerman in his speech shared that he is starting his work in a new position “with a sense of awe, gratitude and hope.
“I'm here to serve (students) and represent (their) voices on campus,” Zimmerman said. “I'm honored that I've been given the opportunity to lead and make a difference in the lives of our students.”
Incoming executive board of SGA will focus on three “s”es on campus: safety, sensibility and sustainability, according to Zimmerman.
As for the safety on campus, Zimmerman said, one of the things SGA will make sure that the blue-light emergency phones around campus are accessible and visible. SGA will also practice “sensible approaches to the issues” and “promote diversity, equity (and) inclusion on campus,” he said.
Some of the programs SGA will continue to do next year is the menstrual products initiative, Zimmerman said. As for the change in the SGA operation, Zimmerman said he wants to focus on structuring and operating a better Student Budget Allocation Committee.
With his presidency next year, Zimmerman said he is excited to get involved even more on campus and get out to the community.
“We might not be able to change campus overnight, but by taking sensible approaches to (the) issues, we can certainly chip away at these problems and hopefully by the end of the year, make some good strides to fix them,” Zimmerman said.
