By, DYLAN WHITELY, Student Reporter
Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Student Government Association plans to host a number of events this semester. SGA President Ethan Sacket sat down with the Northwestern News to talk about SGA members have planned for the semester.
Q: What activities does SGA plan to host this semester?
A: In the era that we currently living in, we’re putting on different events, but we’re still trying to engage our students. So, this semester specifically, we’ve got the Wellness Challenge that’s going on at the wellness center. That started Jan. 11, and it goes through Feb. 28. Basically, if you go to the wellness center, work out for about 30 minutes, and then go to the desk and put your name on this little binder that they have – and if you go in, I believe 21 times, by the end of Feb. 28 – then your name will be put in a drawing for Apple Airpods. …
Another event that we have got going on is Singing and Sundaes. That’s Thursday, Jan. 21. at 6:30 p.m., and that will be in the ballroom in the Student Center. It’s kind of like an open mic night, but then we’ll also have individually wrapped ice cream sandwiches and some food for the students there. It’s just an opportunity to relax and meet some people as well.
And then we are also putting on some watch parties for the different sporting events that are going on. A big part of student life in the past has been the athletic events and students being able to go to those games for free. This year, because of Covid, fans aren’t allowed into the games, at least starting off in the month of January. They’re trying to work that all out. So, we will be doing some watch parties, some live streams in the Ranger Room in the Student Center.
That’s just an opportunity for students to hang out, watch the game, and we’ll also be doing maybe some dress up themes or something like that and do some giveaways at that watch party.
And then if it is a home game, and hopefully our Rangers come out with a win, then we can greet them as they leave the gym. So we’ll leave the Student Center and greet them.
Feb. 14, we’re going to do a Valentines dinner. Basically, the first 30 students that buy tickets will be able to attend that Valentines dinner. It’s going to be a high-end event, and what I mean by that is we’re going to try to add as much value to that event. So, people that pay for that ticket will get that in return. So, we’re going to be doing that dinner Feb. 14, and you can start buying tickets for that starting next Wednesday. That’s what we got going on right now.
We’re teaming up with a few different student organizations. Writers’ Roundtable, they are putting on a poetry slam in April. And we’ll be teaming up with them to put that on. And then Spanish club – I know we usually work with them to put on some events, and then there are a few other student organizations that are putting on some events.
Q: Why do you believe these activities are important?
A: More than ever, I think it’s so important for us to be connected as a people. I think that, as human beings, we benefit when we are connected with other people and interact with other people. I believe that, during this time, especially with Covid and everything going on and everyone being more in their dorms or quarantining, there’s more isolation. So, I think that, if we can provide some opportunities for people to still connect in a safe way, that’s a priority of mine. … I think it’s so important for our students to be connected. I think these four years is a unique time in these students’ lives, and I think that we’re all here for a similar purpose, and that’s to better ourselves and to learn as much as possible.
Q: Are these activities good places to make new friends?
A: Absolutely. The events, our SGA meetings as well. I encourage our students that, if they’re interested in being involved or just looking to meet people, I encourage them to attend our SGA meetings. Those are at 6:30 p.m. every other Monday in the Student Center ballroom. … We’re really trying to form a community within that SGA group.
So, if you’re looking to be involved, looking to get connected, then attend one of these events, attend an SGA meeting or just talk to the person you’re sitting next to in class. Make that little bit of extra effort, and you’ll see it pay off immediately.
Q: For students who are new to Northwestern, what should they know about SGA’s activities?
A: I think that we are incredibly open in regards to anyone can attend them. If you’re a student, you can attend it. We even have some faculty members that will attend events. We’re incredibly open, and we just enjoy seeing you there and interacting. We’re open to new ideas as well, so if you have ideas, we’d love to hear those and implement those as well. Our goal is just to try to add as much value to our students as possible, and we know the value you have with your ideas.
Q: How can students get involved in these activities?
A: Through Student Government Association, you can apply to be a senator. It’s a pretty simple process. You attend one of our meetings. We’ll get you an application. It’s only like one page. You have to get a few signatures from students, just any student on campus. Once you are a senator, you have voting privileges on different topics that we’ll vote upon. So, if someone comes to SGA with a resolution, or something else, then you’ll have the opportunity to vote upon that. And at our meetings, it’s a pretty open environment.
So, if you have an idea, you can just attend one of the SGA meetings and bring that to the table. We do have a brainstorming session where we open the floor to ideas. A student is more than welcome to attend that.
We’ve also got social media as well, @nwosusga, on all of our social media platforms: Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Q: How can students suggest other activities for SGA?
A: As I mentioned, social media is probably the easiest one. If you have social media that’s the easiest way, is to slide up on our story, or just send us a message directly on there. That’s probably the simplest way that you can get your idea out and to us within 10 to 15 seconds. We also have a student concerns number as well. If a student has an idea, or just a question. If they have a question like “where on Earth is this class?” or a concern like “my class has 50 people in it and is a very small classroom with no social distancing” they can reach out and voice their concerns on that. Basically anything, if they send it to us then we’ll help them out in any way possible.