Since my first semester at Loyola University, I have played an active role in Student Government Association by serving as a senator my freshman year and as the College of Music and Fine Arts president this year. In both of these capacities, I have worked to resolve issues regarding the need for more practice rooms, organizational funding and course evaluations.

One of the biggest issues facing our SGA is the issue of transparency; I want to bring students back into student government. As much as the current administration has done to improve this, there are still many more steps we can take to improve communication between the students and their representatives.

My first initiative is to facilitate many reforms regarding the student organization budget allocations process.

It is necessary that we, as a government that works for the students, communicate more efficiently regarding allocations.

I plan to bring much insight to the process after having sat on the Budget Appropriations Committee for an entire year. Right now, I am working to figure out the ways in which we can make the allocations process less demanding on organizations and more efficient for both the organizations and SGA.

My position has also given me the opportunity to sit on the Dining Services Committee. We address students’ issues such as overcrowding in the Orleans Room, the need for more dining options such as the Carrollton build-out and the need for more flexible meal plans.

One thing that will be implemented next year is a new meal plan option that combines block meal plans and weekly meal plans. 

As many of you know, our university is undergoing many new changes in terms of physical changes around campus to changes within our student life and academia.

Throughout this semester, my fellow college representatives and I have spoken with the dean of our college, Donald Boomgaarden, to help address students’ issues regarding the future of our university.

I believe that this open communication with members of the administration has prepared me well for the responsibility of representing students’ ideas and concerns regarding the University Master Plan and the future of our campus.

I have plenty of ideas for enhancing both student government and the Loyola community as a whole. I am eager to hear your questions and concerns and I look forward to meeting you in the upcoming weeks.

Michael Morin is a music education sophomore, SGA’s College of Music and Fine Arts president and a candidate for SGA vice president. He can be reached at [email protected]