To increase communication between the student body and elected officials, the Student Government Association at Texas A&M University-San Antonio will host the inaugural State of the Student Body Address 1-3 p.m. Feb. 18 in the Vista Room on the fourth floor of the Central Academic Building.
“It really helps create a really credible background for your SGA,” SGA Vice President Martin Calderon said. “That’s the opportunity for us to actually show students that we’re out here actually creating change for you.”
Calderon says officers were inspired to host the address after attending the annual Conference on Student Government Associations. Texas A&M University-College Station hosts the conference in Houston.
Calderon is spearheading the effort to host the address and plans to set up a committee to organize the event next year.
The address will have a panel of two to three SGA officers; one confirmed panelist is SGA President La-Tieka Sims. During the address, the panel will discuss concerns from students.
“Parking is a hot topic right now,” Calderon said. “People don’t like parking in Lot 3. It’s too far. Some students even make the argument that they don’t understand why they have to pay for parking when they pay to come to the university.”
During the State of the Union Address, in Washington, D.C., elected officials comment on various state affairs. The state of the student body address is planned to be held annually at the middle of SGA officer terms much like it’s national counterpart.
“This is going to be a huge exchange of information,” Calderon said. “A lot of people will learn a lot of things they didn’t know before. Especially university resources, that’s one of the points we’ll be hitting on.”
The event will be in a Q&A format in which attendees can ask panelists questions accompanied by a moderator who may also ask questions and facilitate conversation. Calderon says that he expects the panelists to face tough questions from students regarding various issues.
“We’re all expecting those tough questions to be answered,” Calderon said. “We’re elected officials, most of us appointed, but regardless we’re held accountable to the student body.”
