Fellow Jaguars,
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit,” said former President Harry Truman.
It is with that sentiment that I begin my message to our university community today. Thinking back to a few weeks ago, I remember the long lines at registration, and the unacceptable way that members of our student body were treated. During that time your Student Government Association was there taking notes. Going to the financial aid office in pass days I see students waiting yet again to get their financial aid posted; most of these the same students that waited hours before. I again say that your SGA is taking notes. Students I know the feeling not to have books, students I know the feeling not to have YOUR REFUND CHECK to help with rent, and students I know the frustration of having to sit through the same line that you sat in again.
I want to say for the record that this is UNACCEPTABLE on the part of our university. I do not know one employee of this university that would continue to work without being paid. Very similarly, that money belongs to you and THE SGA is working hard to ensure that you get it. I must say in all my years at the university I have not seen so much calamity and confusion with the dispersal of refund checks. I will say to you as I have said to them OUR STUDENTS NEED THEIR MONEY.
Insofar as the customer service on this campus, it seems as if we are constantly taking steps back. I want the students to know that if any member of the university staff has disrespected them they should bring that to our attention. I would also note that just because a person works for the Southern University Police Department or holds an office of influence does not mean they can be disrespectful. I told the students during the election season that “we deserve better.” I reiterate that stance today.
I started today with a quote and it is very poignant to the purpose of today’s message. It is my belief that what we have is a group of offices being territorial and not working together to get the students serviced. This IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE MISSION OF OUR UNIVERSITY. Students will have better even if that better has to be by any means necessary. SGA is taking notes and so far it’s looking like the people servicing our students may not be doing well enough to pass the test. WE DESERVE BETTER.
Yours in the Blue and Gold,
Jamal A. Taylor
President, Student Government Association
Member, Southern University Board of Supervisors
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