Loyola’s Student Government Association confirmed their president’s cabinet in the summer, after an original delay until September of this year.
SGA president, Makayla Hawkins, stated that Cabinet Confirmations were moved to the summer due to the annual National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference that Executive Cabinet members attend yearly.
Hawkins said they did not want to bring an unconfirmed cabinet to this conference so a senate session was held over the summer to officially vote in the new cabinet members.
The critiques from the last confirmation session were taken into consideration and each cabinet member prepared presentations on their qualifications, goals for the year, and background. This way the senate was able to get a better understanding of the candidates in which they were voting on, according to Hawkins.
The process of approving cabinet members is always the sameHawkins said. The names of each of the prospective cabinet members are submitted through legislation to the senate and then voted on. The members of cabinet are present for any questions that the senators may have, and then the senators place their votes. Each of the cabinet members that are submitted to the senate are only submitted after a thorough grade check and interview process by the President, the Vice President, and faculty advisors in Student Life and Ministry.
“Last year differed from previous years due to multiple errors in the senate session that occurred under the previous administration,” said Hawkins.
Cabinet members were present, however, there was no discussion held and there was also no explanation on what was being voted on, according to Hawkins.
Hawkins claimed all of these issues were later remedied in a session that occurred over the summer.
According to Hawkins the rule regarding abstaining that was in place last semester was removed.
The rule was enacted in order to encourage a discussion and dialogue with the candidates prior to voting in order to eliminate personal biases that did not have to do with their positions, which caused discourse among senators.
“The senate session that occurred over the summer had plenty of discussion and deliberation so there was no need for any rules placed on voting,” said Hawkins.
No more than 2 people abstained out of a total quorum of 8. There was only one abstention for each of these positions: Director of Equity and Inclusion, Director of Programming, Chief of Staff, and Chief Justice. Each of these positions failed during the Spring confirmation.
Hawkins said she feels very confident in this year’s cabinet. She said they were able to do a lot of brainstorming over the summer as well as undergo our annual training.
“Each of them have bright ideas for what they want to accomplish and I am excited for us all to get to work,’ Hawkins said. “We feel very prepared to take on the many tasks that this year has in store for us.”
