A new year often inspires new ideas and new resolutions. This new year also marks a change in leadership for NEIU’s Student Government Association (SGA).
Miguel Loeza, formerly the SGA Vice President, was officially sworn in as Acting President on Jan. 12 following a special meeting of the SGA cabinet members. During that meeting it was decided that Loeza would replace former President Eduardo Arabu Jr., following his Fall 2009 graduation.
Further changes regarding cabinet members were also made at this meeting, leaving many other officer positions open, just in time for the spring 2010 elections.
Other members of the SGA, including senators, were later informed of these decisions via e-mail, however, most did not seem to mind.
“The old president was good but I didn’t get to know him as a person the way that I [got to] know Miguel. I feel that the change is for the better in regards to the student body because the new executive board is full of strong leaders who are very involved in student life and care about student opinions, which I think having a strong SGA is all about,” said Davette J. Franklin, a sophomore and SGA Senator.
Franklin and other representatives seemed hopeful that the changes would encourage the student body to get active and participate in student government meetings and stay abreast of the issues being presented.
“In the past, we haven’t really had an audience at our meetings,” added Franklin. “We’d really like to improve that.”
Aside from a recent SGA forum regarding the issue of changing the days and times at which NEIU’s Activity Hour is held, the turnout for such meetings has been low. “I want to encourage everyone to get involved, the minimum students can do is knowing who represents them. I highly encourage students to voice their opinions, questions, concerns or recommendations they have,” Loeza himself reinforced.
This semester, Loeza and the SGA plan to use the openings in Student Government, as well as this change in leadership, as an opportunity to reach out to the student body. “Student Government is working towards changing the way we have been perceived by administrators. We are also working on making changes that will benefit the student body and the way we have been perceived by them,” said Loeza.
Students who are interested in becoming a part of SGA or finding out more about the incumbent officers may visit the SGA office in E-050B, send an e-mail to senate.neiu@gmail.com or call the main line 773-442-4575.