In this week’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, Assistant Director of Career Services Kyle Hodges gave a presentation on the resources Career Services has to offer and SGA Vice President Lucas Hobson gave updates on the Farmville Area Bus (FAB) issues and white nationalist flyers that have been circulating on campus.
Hodges started out by introducing her role in career services as assistant director, saying her job is to “help students get ready for the future.” Hodges then went on to present some job-related facts to SGA.
According to Hodges, the average person will have 12-15 jobs in their lifetime and one in three college students change their major at least once.
Hodges also elaborated on resources the office has such as exploration, application, Handshake and the Work Shadow Program.
Exploration, according to Hodges, includes career assessments, networking, creating connections and career/industry research. Assessment includes searching/applying for graduate schools, exploring jobs and internships, writing resumes, creating a LinkedIn profile and practicing interviewing skills.
Handshake is a platform for Longwood students to explore job and internships both on-campus and locally, as well as all over the country, per Hodges. Students can upload their resumes and have them electronically checked by Career Services in order for students to apply for positions through the platform.
Hodges also talked about the Work Shadow program that allows undergraduates to explore career aspirations and professional goals by shadowing a Lancer who works in a field relevant to their interests. The registration is due in November.
Senator Garrett Reese asked Hodges if Career Services plans to collaborate more with the arts programs such as theater because those interests are harder to find a career in. Hodges said she is always looking for new opportunities and that collaborating with the theater program would be a great idea.
Hobson’s presentation updated the SGA on FAB issues that were presented in previous open forums. Hobson met with Julie Adams, the FAB's transit manager, on Oct. 21 to discuss some issues students have with the FAB and how to solve them.
According to Hobson, some of the issues include the FAB being early/late, drivers taking breaks in the Wynne parking lot, drivers stopping at Sheetz and drivers going over the speed limit.
Hobson said that the FAB being early or late is a matter of traffic and/or handicap transportation as well as the FAB providing services to all of Farmville, not just Longwood. He also said times are approximate, not specific.
In order to get back on schedule, FAB drivers will use idle time to stop in the Wynne lot, per Hobson. This is to prevent the FAB schedule from becoming too unreliable.
Hobson also said the only reason a driver should stop at Sheetz is to use the restroom and told Senate that if a driver is driving too fast, to document the time, date and route. Anything that is thought to be against the rules should be reported, according to Hobson.
Per Hobson, each FAB has a video camera and date stamp so if an incident is reported, Adams can track the driver during investigation.
Virginia 21 and SCHEV Representative Mary Zell Galen asked if there is any way the FAB can be tracked by students. Hobson said that would include a contract negotiation and funding but it can be looked into.
Hobson’s presentation then went into an update on the white nationalist flyers that have been found on campus. According to Hobson, a group of students are meeting with Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) Chief of Police Col. Robert Beach on Friday, Oct. 26 to discuss what can be done to solve the issue.
Senator Cecil Hayes said that he has had not only minority groups discuss the issue with him, but other students who are not used to these kinds of issues happening. Hayes said newer students are going to have mixed feelings about the school because of this and emphasized the importance of spreading acceptance at the university.
President Josh Darst said Jonathan Page, director of Citizen Leadership and Social Justice Education, and Longwood University President W. Taylor Reveley IV are planning to address the situation with students in the near future.
Beach told Senate that a huge struggle the LUPD is having is students tearing the posters down, which prevents the police from collecting them as evidence. According to Beach, an investigation is still ongoing to find out who is putting the posters up.
Senator Joseph Hyman asked if professors know about the white nationalist postings. Dr. Tim Pierson, vice president for student affairs, said he suspects a lot of staff don’t know what’s going on.
Per Pierson, the issue was discussed at a University Diversity Committee meeting and at Faculty Senate.
During open forum, Hyman asked about the possibility of bike racks being installed at Upchurch University Center. Darst responded by saying the university is accommodating to those requests, and that it could happen.
During the advisors’ reports, President Reveley stopped into the meeting to congratulate Senate for their new space in Upchurch and encouraged everyone to come to the Upchurch Grand Opening on Oct. 26.
Pierson talked about Hurricane Michael’s impact on campus, saying it took a last minute shift toward the area. Pierson also said that all the trees that were taken down were unhealthy and unable to be restored, but they will be replaced.
During the president’s report, Darst announced that secret society Cahoots honored SGA with a Cahoots brick to commend their role on campus.
During Historian Megan Bland’s report, two constitutions were approved: Habitat for Humanity and Medieval Theatre Club.
Payton Davenport was sworn in as a senator.
The next SGA meeting will be Oct. 30 at 3:45 p.m. in the Wilson Chamber, located in Upchurch University Center.
The first SGA meeting in their new meeting space in the Wilson Chamber. The SGA also has a new office in Upchurch University Center.
