SGA President Addresses The Student Body For The First Time This Semester

On Tuesday, October 3rd, at six thirty, the Smith-Brown Memorial Union SGA hosted their very first Presidential address to the student body which included Freshman Class President Bryman Williams Jr., Sophomore Class President Adekunle Ajayi, Junior Class President Saraa Abdullah, Senior Class President Micah Jackson, Association Women Students President Gabrielle Stevens, Mens Federation President Henry Steele III and Our 2023-2024 SGA President Brandon Horne. During the duration of this event, each of the Presidents of these prestigious organizations addressed all of the big plans they have for the student body as well as the plans they have to empower, strengthen, and unify Southern University while holding their title.
Association Women Students President Gabrielle Stevens shares her on behalf of the organization. “Today I stand before you with great pride and enthusiasm to introduce to you an organization that is dedicated to empowering and serving the incredible women on our campus… We ARE the Association for Women Students. Our mission is to be the innovative voice that expresses the wants and needs of the women of Southern University Agricultural and Mechanical College. From How well do you know your body, Know your worth, What’s love got to do with it? What not to wear, which had over 100+ attendees” according to Stevens. AWS is living up to the standards they set for this school term and we can’t wait to see what else they have in store. Gabrielle left us with a very signifying quote “ You are already a part of AWS, whether you’ve officially signed up or not. Just by attending our events, you’re contributing to this vibrant community. We’re here to support you, your presence and participation are what make AWS thrive. We aim to be inclusive and welcoming to all women on this campus. You’re already a valuable part of our mission to empower and uplift each other.” Their goal is not only to educate the women at Southern Universities Women on campus but to create a space where you can engage and learn to have fun while doing so.
Going back to the Spring 2023 Elections 7 months ago, our Student Government Association President Brandon Horne’s Campaign was big on restoring the bluff, and he came ready to announce the progress he has made while being in office. Since taking off, Horne has met Academic, Student Affairs, Athletics, Counseling Center, and Enrollment management to discuss ways to improve our University. Going back to the many hardships Southern University has faced since the semester started; the water crisis that took a storm of the entire campus for 2 days, Horne made sure that the elevation administration provided essential toiletry items for all students that were affected. Not many know, but the one-stop shop that was located in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union from August 21st-September 1st impacted our number greatly when it came to enrollment. It was designed for students to handle all of our business in one place, with no excuses. 8,378 students were fully registered here at Southern University due to that workshop, Horne says. Brandon also revealed the brand new highlights of student life and the strives to increase student engagement called “SU TV”. Horne closed his statements with “Change is not made through negative posts on social media, change is made, through having a seat at the right tables. Will you help us make a change?”
In the uproar of the Homecoming festivities, Our student body had a lot to say about our Homecoming concert lineup this year, and they weren’t too happy about the decisions our Jaguar Activities Board made. President Horne went on in detail during this Presidential Address to explain to us the process of getting artists for homecoming as well as why we have the artists we do for this year’s Homecoming Concert. For example, most HBCU homecomings are around the exact time, and in most cases lots of them are held the same week as Southern University Homecoming Days. “It is a race to get these artists’ says Student Government Association Vice President. Horne also adds that we have used 60% of our money on artists alone. The remaining money will go to the necessities needed for Homecoming like sound, lighting, police, detail for the safety of our students, and events during the week. “This is also the same account for our Spring Fest,” Horne says. Brandon asks that we continue to trust him as our leader and to know that he listens to us and does the best of his ability to fulfill our collegiate dreams to the fullest.