Correction Appended
It is the largest organization on campus. Its influence can be seen everywhere, from the residence halls to the academic buildings. Student Government is here - and they want you to be a part of it.
AU’s Student Government is a great way to get involved in campus life. From the class and school councils to more specific organizations like Kennedy Political Union and Women’s Initiative, there plenty of ways for you to get involved in something you are passionate about.
Why SG? What do they do? SG directly impacts your life and affects how the administration looks at students, says Director of Outreach and Recruitment Jose Morales. It is not just a resume builder, it is a chance to have your say in what goes on around campus. So if you want to help make this year’s Founders’ Day Ball spectacular or maybe meet some of the musicians performing in Bender Arena or the Tavern, SG is for you.
SG hosts a multitude of events each semester, ranging from political to purely entertaining. The Student Union Board (SUB) regularly hosts movie screenings in Ward, showing some of the most recent movies, and it brings musical acts to campus, ranging from Josh Kelley to Paramore to Jimmy Eat World. B.o.B. will be performing in the Tavern on August 20th.
The Kennedy Political Union has brought many political speakers to AU, including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.
SG responsible for events of Welcome Weeks, including Quad After Dark and the free AUTO shuttle services to IKEA and Target. The SG also puts on the Founders’ Day Ball, a formal event for students held each spring semester (usually).
How can I sign up?
If you are already interested, or even merely intrigued, visit www.join.ausg.org. SG has created a website where you can sign up for e-mails regarding openings or volunteer opportunities in the departments you are interested in. You can also sign up or talk to an SG member during Welcome Weeks at the Club Fair or at any SG event throughout the year.
“Recruitment is a year-round process,” Morales said. “Every SG event is a recruitment event.”
What if I am not much into politics? Is there still something I can do?
For those of you worried that SG is all politics, “it’s not,” says Morales. SG offers a wide variety of opportunities to draw all interests, whether you are an aspiring politician or a budding public relations director. There are still openings in several SG departments, including Unity and Spirit, Outreach and Recruitment, Transportation, Health and Student Advocacy. Volunteers are also needed for events put on by SUB and the mostly-annual Founders’ Day ball. Two general interest meetings are being held at the end of this month: Tuesday, Aug. 31 in Butler Conference Room from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Sept. 1 in McDowell Formal Lounge from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., according to the AUSG website.
I am a freshman looking to jump right into the politics of SG. What are the best ways to get involved in the legislative side?
Elections for freshmen class council and school councils will be held in September, and they offer a great starting point for those who want to climb the SG ladder. For example, current executive branch Secretary Kent Hiebel, a sophomore, started at the class council level last year. Senate elections will also be held this fall, which is another way to get involved in the more political side of SG. Returning students can also run for Senate seats, although class council elections were held last spring.
I am a returning student to AU, and I am a bit jaded about SG. Why should I get involved? “This year, we mean business,” says Morales. This year, SG is all about “cutting the crap,” admitting mistakes and building trust. “The passion to help the campus is unparalleled,” says Morales. “This is a new SG.”
lbarnhart@theeagleonline.com.
Correction: SG Secretary Kent Hiebel's last name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story. The Eagle regrets this error.
