“A huge thank you to everyone”: SGA elections see a new wave of senators sweep into office
Graphic by Emily Paris, Photo Editor
When it comes to Chapman’s elections for the Student Government Association, you might very well say that the students have spoken. With thousands of ballots cast and few abstaining, a new wave of senators of varying ages and majors have swept into office.
The Schmid College of Science and Technology voted universally in favor of second-year Environmental Science and Policy major Gil Lopez Garcia, with only two abstaining out of a voter pool of 489. Similarly, senior Communication Studies major Amanda Dornsife from the School of Communication, captured 97.14% of the vote out of a pool of 616.
The more competitive races lay in the College of Performing Arts and Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Candidates Cate Goglia (a junior in Theater Performance) of the former and Madison Miller (a second-year in Broadcast Journalism and Documentary) of the latter clinched their seats, taking home 52.94% and 37%, respectively.
The student organization seats went to first-year Business Administration student Bryce Rosenblum and junior Business Administration/Art History double major Helene Vlok, each taking home over 90% of the ballot. At-large senator went to junior Economics major Matthew Mason with 93.05%, while first-year Creative Producing major Jason Wu Chen became the first-Year senator with 60.08% of his constituency’s vote. The only seat left unfilled is the senior senator, with no candidates having registered for the race.
“I attend senate meetings every Friday to review new initiatives, goings on, and figure out how we can best support our classmates,” clarified Goglia. According to her, most of it comes down to determining where the student governing fee will be spent.
“When we hold our senator meetings, our vote (whether or not we agree or disagree) is the collective voice of our constituents,” added Wu Chen. “So in my case, my vote for agreeing with the approval of funding for Accounting Society means the first years agree with the approval of funding.”
A hallmark of the new board of senators seems to be their humility. Many of the newly elected senators emphasized their openness to feedback from their constituencies.
“I will be hosting weekly office hours in Argyros Forum 303 on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. where students from my constituency can report their concerns as well as insight as to anything they deem relevant and important,” stated Lopez Garcia.
For her part, Miller said, “I have begun distributing a feedback form for my constituents to communicate changes they want to see, as well (as) for them to anonymously provide feedback for me.”
Many have already laid out ambitious goals for their year in office. Wu Chen has a wide-ranging agenda in mind, including new vending machines in Keck Center and DeMille Hall, blue emergency lights in Marion Knott Studios (MKS) and Crean Hall, more dining options for those with dietary restrictions, new ice machines in first-year residence halls and gender-neutral restrooms in Beckman Hall and Harold Hutton Sports Center.
On the other hand, Miller is approaching office with an open mind for suggestions, though she has expressed interest in installing a refillable water station on the second floor of MKS for students working late hours in editing and mixing suites. Meanwhile, Goglia has laid out a program to improve CoPA as a whole, looking to increase both the number of festivities hosted on its opening night and the number of students who attend festivities.
Several senators have placed a heavy emphasis on digital initiatives. For Wu Chen, it’s a single website that compiles all resources offered by Chapman. For Goglia, it’s a database to foster collaboration between students from theater, music and dance. For Lopez Garcia, it’s a partnership with the Schmid Student Leadership Council to create a forum to display research and projects created by the students of Schmid.
As a whole, the mood of the new senators is one of pride, confidence and jubilation.
“Even if you are not one of my constituents in the College of Performing Arts, if you love the arts or you perform or create in any capacity, I am here for you,” stated Goglia. “I am here to advocate for you and make your lives better.”
Much like his fellow senators, Lopez Garcia’s final statement was entwined with jubilation and conviction.
“I just wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who gave their support to not only me, but to the other elected senators and SGA as a whole, I appreciate so much to see the love spreading around. Stay green everybody.”