Freshmen recruitment was among many goals addressed at the first Student Government Association (SGA) meeting of the semester held on Thursday, Aug. 23 in the University Center (UC).

With updates made to the SGA Code of Laws and Constitution last year, the organization will focus attention on the desires and concerns of the students.

Cody Simpson, a senior majoring in political science, is the president of SGA.  Simpson presented the Senate with its responsibility, as a collective body, to recruit freshmen to become a part of the association.

“I would like to encourage each and every member to strive to recruit new freshmen to fill the five open seats,” Simpson said.

Jessica Wright, a junior mass communication major, serves as the vice president of SGA.  She says the recruitment is imperative to the completion of future projects.  Once the disbursement of the 25 Senate members and recruitment of the freshmen takes place, future projects underway will begin.

Simpson also addressed the responsibility of the Senate as a liaison for FMU students.

“Keep in mind that you are representing the students,” Simpson said.  “If they have a problem or concern, or if they have an idea about what they want to do on campus, take it and go forward with it by bringing it back to the meetings.”

The improvement of student life and promotion of unity with all organizations also topped the list of goals.  Simpson and Wright plan to move forward and work with Senate members to implement change.  SGA plans to increase campus involvement by promoting events that the students suggest.

“I want to start a comment box outside of our offices,” Wright said.  She urges students to contact her and Simpson, or any member of the Senate to express ideas and give suggestions.

“We would like to see the students get more involved in the activities and events that we sponsor and host,” Wright said. “We’re going to offer more fun things for the students to do.”

To ensure this goal, a leadership event will take place next month for every student leader on campus to meet with President Fred Carter and the President’s council.

There are five open Senate seats reserved for freshmen.  Freshmen interested in becoming involved on campus and a part of FMU’s largest student organization can obtain an application in the SGA office, room 215, located in the UC.

The SGA would like all students to provide comments, concerns, ideas and feedback.  SGA meetings are open to the public and are held every other Thursday at 4 p.m. in room 215 of the UC.