On Sept. 30, NSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) held their first Town Hall Meeting of the semester.
The meeting was scheduled to take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the UC Pit, but the meeting was delayed, and due to the lack of student feedback, it ended early.
Students voiced their opinion on matters they felt were important to the NSU community, some of which included: the commuter student lounge, additional volleyball courts and Homecoming.
Members of the SGA board were present to answer their concerns and respond to suggestions.
Jonathon Martinez, junior English major, said, “I had a suggestion regarding putting a volleyball court somewhere on campus. I felt that SGA addressed my concerns well.”
“I feel that having only two days to play volleyball in the RecPlex isn’t enough, and we [students] should be able to have another location to go to,” he said.
Due to malfunctioning sound equipment, many students couldn’t understand the speakers, and were displeased with the meeting. They chose to leave early or stop paying attention.
Jessica Strom, senior psychology major, said, “I don’t think the meeting was well put together. The sound system was really bad and it was too loud in the UC. I couldn’t even hear what they were talking about.”
Marc Jacobson, freshman biology major said, “I think the meeting wasn’t a huge success because they held it during the lunch hour. Students only get that one hour to eat before rushing back to class and don’t want to waste it.”
“Honestly, the way it was set up didn’t make me want to stay and listen, let alone give up my lunch,” he said.
Anthony Campenni, former undergraduate SGA president who was observing the meeting, said, “It seemed like it was a bad location for such a serious event. I thought it was a good idea; it was something that SGA never really did before, and were on the right track. But, if they’re not going to do it professionally, where student voices can be heard, nothing can get accomplished.”
Marcia Philatre, junior biology major and SGA Minority Senator said, “I thought the meeting was moderately successful. It was our first meeting of the semester. We are open to suggestions on how we can improve them, so in the future more students can come be apart of it, and voice their thoughts.”
“We hold these meetings for the students and hope that they will be more involved because SGA is here for them and their needs as NSU students,” she said.
