Beginning in Fall 2013, The Student Government Association (SGA) and the Student Activities Board (SAB), will join forces to create the Saint Xavier Council (SXC).
The new council will bring together both organizations’ executive positions to establish a single governing board.
Samantha Maher Sheahan, advisor for SXC, states, “It’s not really two organizations combining; it’s much more broad than that.
The new SXC has four branches that will continue to do the work they have always done, but in a more focused way. Each branch will be able to do to what they are meant to do.”
Maher Sheahan discusses the different branches of the organization and their respective responsibilities. “The Senate will serve as the voice of the student body, the Allocation Committee will serve as administrator of the Student Activity Fund to registered student organizations (RSO’s), the Program Board will sponsor annual, campus-wide programs, activities and special events, and Campus Connections will be the link not only between the branches of SXC, but more broadly between students, RSO’s, faculty, and administrators of the entire SXU community,” Sheahan begins.
She continues, “I think there is a lot of work ahead for everyone but I believe in these students, and I know in the end the student leaders of SXC will be better poised to work for all members of the SXU community.”
SXC aims to foster both resident and commuter involvement. Kelly Mihalik, President of SGA, is currently working on the organization’s constitution and bylaws.
Mihalik hopes that SXC will have “better representation of the student body since there will be senator positions for the different colleges.” Furthermore, she hopes that it will have “more of a student voice as well since SXC has more members than SAB and SGA have now combined.”
Mihalik continues, “I have my own hopes and dreams for the student body and SXC. I would like to see more of a collaboration between student organizations with programming. One of the new branches will be focused on communicating with the student body, which is a key factor in student involvement.”
The collaboration is expected to encourage more school spirit and student involvement, as Executive President of SXC Victoria Martello states.
“This new SXC organization will have more members than those two presently combined. Gaining more people means thinking of more ideas and finding more ways to reach out to the student body. With this combination, I truly feel that the voice of the student body will be strongly heard!”
When asked about the application process, Martello explains, “There was quite a process! This year since we were doing something different, we decided that it would be in everyone’s best interest if we did an in-house election. Since more than half of the government is graduating, the seniors were a huge help in this portion and deciding where all the returning government members would lead best,” Martello begins.
She continues “All returning members had the opportunity to voice their strengths/weaknesses and their top executive seat choices. The seniors and our moderator Sam [Samantha Maher Sheahan] met three times and really had some great discussion on where they saw everyone excelling. Some returning members found out their new executive seats on that third week and were given a graduating senior mentor to help them adjust.”
Martello goes on to explain that “Three positions were left open: Executive President, Legislative Executive Vice President, and Executive Vice President of Finance. These positions were left open for Mallorie Rosales, Dana Martin, and myself and the election committee ironed out a process to determine who would sit in what seat. Michelle Thompson, who is a graduating senior, current VP of Finance, was elected to be the chair of the election committee.”
Martello explains that the candidates were then required to put together a portfolio with an updated resume, their Leadership Application Questions and Answers, a list of up to five specific goals/ideas per position, and statements to how candidates plan on communicating effectively throughout SXC? What is their leadership style? And how they apply that to SXC? Lastly, candidates states where they see SXC in a year from now?
“These portfolios were sent via e-mail to the current SGA and SAB members. Once we turned those portfolios in to the election committee we were scheduled for an interview. The interview was like being in the hot seat! Each election committee member asked a question where your answer was recorded and shared via email with the current SGA and SAB. Once everyone listened to the interview and read the portfolio, they were able to cast their vote.” Martello states.
On March 4, 2013, the voting poll opened and Mallorie Rosales was elected at 12:00 p.m. that Monday.
Results for the other two candidates were released at 9:00 p.m. on March 5.
“These 48 hours were super nerve racking but the best part was that we all knew whatever the board decided was the best for the government.” Martello concludes on the application process.
The Executive President then discusses her hopes for SXC “Within the first semester is where I see this entire situation taking place, finding the balance and the perfect meshing technique that builds a powerhouse which is what SXC will become. During the second semester I foresee wonderful things happening,” Martello opens.
She goes on to say that “Making plans and seeing those plans come into action. Having enough members to really reach out into the student community and fulfill the students’ wants and needs will be so powerful. Everyone will know their responsibilities and have specific personal goals to accomplish as well as group goals that we will all accomplish together.”
Martello comments that “I am so proud to have the opportunity to be a part of something new and exciting. Most importantly, I couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to sit on a board with the newly elected members. They are all such strong leaders and I know so many wonderful things will be accomplished this year. They believed in me enough to elect and vote me as their Executive President and I believe in each and every one of them! It’s going to be a great year!”
Now that SGA and SAB are working towards a collaboration, students may wonder what change a unified organization may bring, versus the two separate organizations.
Vice President of Legislation, Dana Martin stresses “I feel that in the past, students were not always able to have their concerns heard and their needs met, because if they had an issue they did not know who to direct it to, whether it was an SAB issue or something to bring to SGA.”
“Now as part of one unified body, students can trust that if they have a concern they can bring it to any SXC member and it will be relayed to the appropriate person in the organization. Our mission is to serve the needs of the students, and one council is an effective means of doing so,” Martin expresses.
Martin talks about SXC objectives, “SXC shares a common goal of improving the college experience for the St. Xavier student body. Working with Gilhooley’s to make a more college-friendly environment, a collaborative effort with 27 other schools across Illinois to make textbooks more affordable for every college student, and creating a health-conscious smoke free campus are some current projects that will be continued into the next year.”
Martin’s hopes? “We hope to be a really dynamic group that will adapt to the changing desires of the student body so that we can make the St. Xavier community the best that it can be. Trying a new unified body with a lot of members for the first time will be an exciting time, but a little intimidating as well. I hope that as a group we can facilitate really effective communication, I feel that will be the best way to be successful next year,” says Martin.
With the SXU population having both commuter and resident students, Mallorie Rosales, Vice President of Finance, says that she knows the hardships of both ends.
When asked about what she thinks SGA and SAB will accomplish as a combination, Rosales says “Definitely more structure, more hierarchy within the two, and the attitude of government here at SXU within the student body. I know there are a ton of concerns, especially with commuters because they are not as into things as residents. I have seen both sides, and I could see how hard it is for commuters. I hope that as we unite both groups, commuters will be more involved with that and know who to direct their questions and concerns to. I hope that everything is more clear for everyone.”
When discussing the attitude towards change, Rosales addresses that “change is definitely not going to be a bad thing. Change needs to happen for things to move forward. Don’t be scared, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, come to us. We will make ourselves known to everyone so everyone knows who we are, so come to us. We will be advocates for the students. SXC will be the voice of the students, so without the students we can’t do our jobs well.”
Nermeen Shaabneh
News Editor