The University of Massachusetts’ Student Government Association underwent a peaceful transfer of power last night when the newly elected administrative team – SGA President Akshay Kapoor and Vice President Garret Gowen – were officially sworn into office amongst a chorus of applause.
As the newly elected officials gave their inaugural addresses, a central theme emerged – increasing student involvement in government as well as student voice in decisions that affect them directly.
“We need to have the power to govern ourselves and influence our college experience,” said Kapoor. He said he plans to work with the administration in order to voice student needs.
While the SGA has gained the power to advocate for the student body over the years, “the students we represent continue to grow ever more distant and disconnected from the student government.
“It is our job to get them involved, it is our job to make sure they care,” he continued.
He said students at UMass are far from apathetic and “can be mobilized” around a cause as seen with the harsh reactions to the proposed elimination of the peer mentor position this year.
“We need a student government who are willing to channel that passion,” said Kapoor. He also said the SGA intends to listen to student voices by providing more services that students want.
“I am sure you will be seeing more services and initiatives like the sober shuttle and judicial advisor program,” said Kapoor.
He also mentioned working with the administration “instead of fighting [them] with votes of no confidence” is key to achieving this goal.
“I would like to extend an Olive Branch,” said Kapoor.
The Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Campus Life Jean Kim, who attended the meeting to congratulate the students, received the message. She said she was looking forward to working with the new team.
Kapoor also hopes to make the SGA more accessible to the average student so that they will better represent their needs.
“It is on us to engage students,” said Kapoor. “We need to make sure our efforts are directed not towards bureaucratic policy work but the concerns that affect student life.”
We hope to achieve this in part through improved communications with area government, said Gowen. It is his goal to include in the governing process “not just seasoned insiders but first-year students” as well as those interested in the improvement of their local community.
He supports the reintroduction of an area government council to improve communication between the separate area governments, the Residential Hall Association and the SGA.
Gowen also wants to improve the services provided to student organizations through the Secretary of the Registry – a branch of the SGA that provides for the needs of RSOs. He said the amount of work currently required of this branch is too much for one person.
“I guarantee a more fully staffed and more responsive registry which will better serve our student organizations,” said Gowen.
As the first vice president in the history of UMass, Gowen hopes to increase communication between the executive cabinet and the senate – a job that past presidents have had to juggle while also acting as a figurehead to the administration.
“It presents a daunting, yet exciting and unique challenge for the days to come,” said Gowen. He intends to “define [the position] as a role of impactful leadership” and to justify its creation.
Kapoor is optimistic about the years to come under the new chancellor Dr. Kumble R. Subbaswamy. He said that they have met several times and agreed to work together to solve issues concerning the university right now.
“I hope to forge a long lasting tradition of mutual guidance and support,” said Kapoor.
Zachary Weishar can be reached at [email protected].
