In this week’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, two new students were sworn into office. SGA President Haleigh Pannell officiated the proceedings as Executive Senator for Senate Relations Shauna Smyre and Residential and Commuter Life Representative Ashley Webb took the oath.
The students will now assume their roles after being sworn in and will begin their positions effective immediately.
Dr. Deborah Westin, director of the English Language Bridge Program, and an international student, Caroline, came to Senate to share what life is like as an international student. Currently, Longwood has international students from various countries such as Japan, Italy, Canada and Portugal.
Westin said the reason that students come to Longwood from other countries is to learn the English language, how to connect with people and how to be brave, as they are so far from home. Student Caroline said that their goals are to make new friends, learn to be independent and get out of their comfort zone, despite challenges.
Westin added that students are able to help the program by becoming tutors or conversation partners. Students that are interested should email her at westinda@longwood.edu for more information.
In the President’s Report with Haleigh Pannell, she encouraged the senate to bring more awareness to the Virtual Open Forum option, and urges students to take advantage of it.
Virtual Open Forum is a platform where students can share their thoughts and ideas with the Senate without physically attending the meeting. Students can access the forum by going to longwoodsga.com or clicking the link in the senate’s social media bios.
In the Vice President’s Report with Catherine Swinsky, she shared updates on the food options on and around campus. Swinsky said that the fruit in the dining hall will soon be switched to all-frozen as it will no longer be in season, and they are looking into getting gluten-free pizza options.
She added that FarmGrill is also looking into getting a bench to put where the condiments were previously located to accommodate students with disabilities.
The final SGA meeting of the fall semester will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 3:45 p.m. inside of the Wilson Chamber at the Upchurch University Center.
SGA President Haleigh Pannell swears in Ashley Webb and Shauna Smyre.
