Student government seeks engagement
Central Penn’s SGA is active. Officer positions are open, as are other spots on the board.
By Noah Lopez
Knightly News Reporter
noah.loopez@mymail.centralpenn.edu
The Student Government Association (SGA) is still here, still meeting and still working for students, whether you’ve noticed or not.
With leadership positions open and participation lower than hoped, SGA is pushing to make its presence more known while continuing to plan events and advocate for student needs.
Who’s running the show?
Right now, SGA’s executive board has just two members: President Ashaun Harris and Vice President Seth Parr. The treasurer and secretary positions are open, meaning there’s room for students looking to get involved.
While some general members attend meetings, they don’t hold official positions due to time constraints, club adviser Elijah Tinson said. SGA meetings occur every other Wednesday at noon in the courtroom, on the first floor of Bollinger Hall.
What has SGA been up to?
If you feel like you haven’t heard much from SGA, you’re not alone. Tinson acknowledged that student engagement has been a challenge, but that doesn’t mean SGA has been inactive.
“There are events going on, but it’s just whether or not people are actually going to them,” Tinson said.
So far this term, SGA has sponsored a trip to the Pennsylvania Farm Show and a bowling night on Feb. 18. The organization also teamed up with the Activities Advisory Board (AAB) for a virtual bingo night in an effort to engage students who might not be able to attend in-person events.
But the big question remains: How can SGA get more students involved? One idea is to have representatives from different clubs attend SGA meetings, helping to bridge communication gaps and ensure student voices are heard, according to Tinson.
Big push: Greek life
One of SGA’s most ambitious initiatives is bringing Greek life to Central Penn. Last fall, during the club fair, several fraternities and sororities were invited to campus to gauge interest.
Central Penn has only Gamma Beta Phi, a service and honor society, but Harris wants to expand options with social-based fraternities and sororities. According to Tinson, the challenge isn’t just getting Greek life started—it’s finding the right fit for the campus community.
SGA President Ashaun Harris did not respond to a Knightly News request for comment.
Will SGA meet with the president?
SGA has met with President Linda Fedrizzi-Williams in the past, but a new meeting has yet to be scheduled. Harris and Parr plan to set one up, but their availability has made scheduling difficult.
With open leadership positions and low attendance, SGA is looking to rebuild connections between students and administration. A stronger SGA presence means a stronger student voice in campus decisions.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, SGA is focused on increasing student participation, strengthening connections with other clubs and possibly organizing more community-service events. The biggest priority? Getting more students to show up, get involved and take advantage of what SGA has to offer.
“You don’t have to be in SGA to come to the meetings,” Tinson said. “Every student is already a part of SGA just by being here.”
Your chance to see what’s happening or to step into a leadership role is open.
For more information or any questions regarding the SGA, contact Tinson at elijahtinson@centralpenn.edu.
Comment or story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu.
Edited by Knightly News Media Club @ Central Penn College and this blog’s editor Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
