SGA honors staff member, does trivia, plans for next semester
Student Inclusion and Diversity Director James Span, Jr. presents the winners of the PNC Bank High Achievers Award at the MLK CommUNITY Peace Brunch Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Finch Fieldhouse.
At the Central Michigan University Student Government Association meeting on Nov. 25, members held a moment of silence to honor James Span Jr., the executive director of Student Inclusion and Diversity, who died over the weekend.
Span worked at the university for more than 20 years, serving in multiple departments before he joined the Multicultural Academic Student Services Office in 2019. He was promoted to the executive director of Student Inclusion and Diversity in 2021.
"He was a mentor and a supporter for many students, leaving a lasting impact on those who he worked with," SGA Vice President Aashka Barot said. "He contributed so much, not just to the MASS Office, but also to the CMU community, and touched the lives of many students, faculty and staff with his dedication and kindness."
After Barot spoke, a hush fell over the room to honor Span. When the moment of silence concluded, Barot encouraged those affected by his death to connect with family, friends or services on campus to grieve.
In Other Events
- Prior to the moment of silence, Barot hosted a "CMU Trivia" event, asking audience members questions about the university, such as signature colors and the closest body of water to the institution. Members who answered correctly received a bag of candy.
- Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Pratham Agarwhal said his committee is in the process of planning a Model United Nations (MUN) event for a Friday in February in collaboration with the MUN registered student organization. Additionally, he said the committee has planned a workshop on legislation writing that will be held in January.
- Elections Director Praise Oyimi concluded the Sustainability Fee Committee elections, announcing that all five running candidates won their positions as committee members.
- Senate Leader Drea Hammond said elections for the remaining seven senator positions will held in the spring semester. Oyimi said these elections are a possibility, but more details would be revealed in the future.
- President Carolina Hernandez Ruiz said she and her cabinet are planning to make SGA more active next semester, with legislation, events and more. She said the meeting on Dec. 2, as well as all meetings in the spring semester, are open to the student body and anyone is welcome to attend.
