“You’re in SGA right? What exactly do you all do?”

This question struck me as odd but as I allowed it to sink in it made sense.

Nobody knows what Student Government Association (SGA) does.

This is disheartening to say the least but it is a result of years of SGA failing to actualize its efforts to be a transparent, relevant and coalition-building governing body. This is not to say current and past members have not tried and the desire is not there.

DePaul University’s SGA has shared governance, which affords us the privilege to speak on behalf of students to faculty, staff and administration. We are members of the Tuition Pricing Committee, President’s Diversity Council and a number of other working task forces.

How can we possibly speak on behalf of students in these committees when we are not engaged and abreast of concerns that our campus has?

For these reasons, SGA needs a shift in trajectory.

SGA must be more than a public relations machine for the administration, which, unfortunately, has become our reputation. This is understandably so, since we rarely are heard speaking on matters that conflict with the administration’s stance. Neither are we seen facilitating a dialogue on the issues facing our students.

While maintaining these relationships with administration is essential because, ultimately, we will need them to accomplish many of our goals, our focus should be on the students and addressing their needs and wants.

So how can we begin to re-engage our students to trust SGA?

We can begin by being better listeners and attending student organization meetings regularly to have an accurate sense of the campus climate.

We can foster stronger relationships with Good Day DePaul, the DePaulia, Radio DePaul, Her Campus and other on-campus media outlets to ensure our constituents are knowledgeable of our work.

We can reverse the constitutional amendment that allows secret voting to increase transparency and allows constituents to hold their elected representatives accountable.

Our positions must be used for more than resume boosting, instead as a platform to change agents in our communities.

As I’ve met with students throughout the past year, academic resources have been a reoccurring theme. Resources such as information regarding the writing center, which offers students in person and virtual assistance with their writing assignments, on-campus tutoring opportunities that are free of charge, internship advisors in different colleges and students’ rights to challenge their grade if they deem it unfair. These resources are not easily accessible to students.

The common response to that is,“it’s the student’s responsibility to seek help.” However, how can students ask for something they did not even know existed?

I had a similar experience when I spoke with students regarding student affairs. The student population has become frustrated with what they interpret to be a lack of action regarding campus climate issues to the point they have become disenfranchised with the campus community. In every meeting I’ve had, the common question being posed is, “How can we get students to being actively involved on campus?”

The answer to that is simple. You have to create an environment in which they feel as if they can be their unapologetic selves.

As we work through our internal issues, we must not ignore the debates occurring in our local and state government. Former SGA President Vanessa Cadavillo led the charge last year for SGA to advocate for MAP funding. This initiative continued this year under current SGA President Ric Popp and until funding is secured we must not let our guards down.

As one of the largest recipients of MAP funding in the state, DePaul, like many other colleges and universities, is in a situation that will impact an in-state student’s ability to continue their education. Students who have hopes of a better future.

As a MAP fund recipient, I recognize the severity of the situation, and the uncertainty it is creating for prospective DePaul students, current students and their families that rely on these funds.

With a new university president, and SGA elections on the horizon, we must work to elect individuals into key positions that reflect the student population and will fight tirelessly on behalf of students.This will require the DePaul community to come together like never before and demand answers to tough questions.

Do I expect us all to agree on every single issue?

Absolutely not, and that is okay because conflict breeds creativity and innovation.

But we cannot, as a governing body, allow fear to hold us back.

No more “on brand” talking points.

No more empty campaign promises.

No more passing of the torch.

We must work diligently, strategically and most importantly together with all hands on deck.