SGA promotes unity at annual forum

Southern University Student Government Association President Justin McCorkle pledged to have a more unified student body Wednesday during SGA’s annual State of the SGA forum.
McCorkle gave a report to approximately 50 students on the role the organization has played in the student body thus far. He also shared with the students his optimism about Southern’s future.
“The message I was trying to get to the students is that SGA is here for them,” McCorkle said. “That we are working as one body, not three separate entities. The student body must unite in order for us to tackle the problems that we have been faced with for decades.”
McCorkle said he would do everything within his legal power to address the problems and concerns of the student body in a diplomatic manner, yet radical, if need be. He also promised a social environment that would cater to the diverse enrollment of this university.
” I just want to see the students happy,” he said.
During previous forums, only the class presidents, along with the SGA president gave addresses. However, SGA vice president Tiffany Johnson and chief justice Danielle Bennett were also allowed to address students.
Jeremy Signator, Men’s Federation vice president, spoke on behalf of AWS and Men’s Fed.
“The state of the SGA is an opportunity for the presidents to let the students know what has already happened and what is planned with their money,” said SGA Chief of Staff Nikki Christy.
“This year we have allowed the Men’s Federation and Association for Women Students presidents to share their visions because they are student leaders as well as SGA and they are often misrepresented.”
Freshman class president Jamal Taylor was the first to speak and expressed that he was happy to serve in his capacity and willing to help out however he could to ensure the freshman class had a voice.
“The freshmen class needs to have recognizable voice,” Taylor said. “We are the largest class and we need to be heard. We serve the freshmen class, not the administration.”
Brittany Bass, sophomore class president, said the state of the sophomore class was organized, responsible and productive.
She asked for support so students could see more of what they want, and less of what they have seen.
“If we are for our SGA then who can and who shall be against it,” Bass said.
Junior Class President Dwayne Grant began praising McCorkle for the hard work Grant said McCorkle had done and stressed the students were most important on SGA’s agenda.
“This year the standards for the student government have been raised to make the students the highest priority.”
Benita Nwokolo, senior class president, encouraged students to get involved and ensure a productive year for her class.
“Me and my staff have been working very hard this year,” she said.
Though their philosophies were different, each president joined McCorkle in promoting unity among the student body.
Thought only a minute fraction of the student body attended the forum, McCorkle said he would use various outlets on campus and promote word-of-mouth awareness to get students involved with SGA’s endeavors.
“We must unite as one branch, one SGA, one student body and one Southern University,” McCorkle said.