If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at: erikandclayforsga@gmail.com. Thank you for supporting Clay and I during our campaign - we are truly humbled. Our number one goal, with our platform and as your student representatives, is to serve you, the students, and your best interests. "Develop a Division 1 Tradition"
We have officially completed our transition to Division 1 athletics, putting us on the same playing field as some of the most recognizable names in the country. Clay and I both agree, however, that this transition really isn't finished. USD has invested in its future in reaching the highest level of college athletics, but we need to invest in a student experience of the highest quality, whether that is promoting greater academic success, building a D1 game-day environment, or making students aware of campus events and the excellent services our university provides. Ideas:
- Expand coverage of SI program and tutoring services as class sizes increase and more programs are added
- Create "Academic FAQ" packet for first-year, transfer, international, and non-traditional students with information on all academic resources and services available
- Create a "Student of the Month"/"Professor of the Month" program
- Work with University Senate to ensure Finals "Reading Days" are enforced
- Re-introduce “Wear Red Fridays”
- Extend tailgating to halftime to retain student fan base at football games
- Encourage creation of organized student fan base, i.e. turning the Coyote Crazies into a student-led booster group
- Put greater research into weekend events geared towards both on and off campus students
- Create an interactive campus calendar using the Google Calendar feature geared towards individual student’s interests
- Create a "Student Services FAQ" packet (in addition to Academic) that outlines other services available for student success (counseling center, wellness center classes, etc.) "Fostering Campus and Community Interaction"
A student's success academically will always be tied to the community in which they are a part of. A supportive, unified community will always result in better outcomes. For Clay and I, developing this kind of community is an integral part of making the USD student experience the best it can be. In particular, we wish to focus on promotion of diversity and inclusiveness on campus, as well as promoting further collaboration between USD, Vermillion, and the surrounding area. Ideas:
- Bring Vermillion Plain Talk/Yankton Press & Dakota to the newspaper racks on campus
- Collaborate with community to create a packet for Transfer and Non-Traditional students describing campus services and community resources
- Develop mentoring program for International students
- Discuss housing availability for students with City Council and Vermillion Economic Development Corp.
- Develop mentor/mentee programs with Vermillion Schools to engage USD students with community
- Add community events to USD calendars
- Collaborate with community members to develop weekend events for college students and community members
- Installing diaper changing tables, tampon receptacles in campus bathrooms (MUC in particular)
- Provide resources necessary to build leadership among traditionally-marginalized groups on campus
- Develop outreach program with area schools districts with intent to bring local students to USD
- Create job fair with local businesses for intent of hiring students, rather than graduates
- Develop space for a “Commuter Lounge” in the MUC
- Make SGA More Accessible
What good does a Student Government Association provide if it is not an accurate representation of the students? We are the voice of the student body on the issues that matter most to students and one of their greatest resources. If we wish to be successful in building the best student experience possible, SGA must place a priority on the students it represents, and that starts with Clay and me being more accessible to all students. Ideas:
- Create an information packet for student organization leaders explaining process of organization recognition, funding process, etc.
- Erik and Clay table once a week in the MUC to talk to students about concerns.
- Hold "Fireside Chats" once a week on Twitter to discuss issues facing students
- Develop a Public Relations/Social Media Manager position dedicated to promoting awareness of SGA meeting times, office hours, etc.
- Work to move SGA offices to a location more readily accessible to students
- Develop 3-5 year strategic planning for executive teams to ensure long-term focus on student outreach
- Re-tool organization website and address issues with mass emails sent to organization contacts
