SGA president and vice president prepare for an unprecedented year

Newly elected Student Government Association President Philip Goodrich (left) and Vice President Erin Mason (right) are devising plans to address diversity and accessibility for the student body’s greater college experience. Photo courtesy of the Student Government Association

Running with an exclusively virtual campaign last spring, junior political science and history double major Philip Goodrich and senior business administration major Erin Mason were elected to serve as this year’s Student Government Association (SGA) president and vice president. 

According to SGA Director of Elections Christian Grevin, Goodrich earned 43% of the overall vote against opponents Abbey Umali, a senior psychology and music double major and Finn Grant, a senior psychology major. Mason won a 51% majority of the total vote, narrowly securing the nomination against senior political science and peace studies double major Karmen Pantoja. 

The coronavirus pandemic altered the campaign process for both nominees, foreshadowing future COVID-19 concerns for the school year. However, both candidates are prepared to accommodate necessary changes and address such student concerns by expanding the Laptops-to-Go program and offering $100,000 of aid to students who request financial relief.

“One of my main goals over the summer was establishing the SGA COVID-19 Financial Relief Program – a program that would financially assist students with basic need items such as educational supplies, housing, food and transportation,” Goodrich said. “We’re living in extremely turbulent and unpredictable times. SGA needs to really be there for the student body.”

The pandemic also encouraged a greater focus on virtual outreach. Mason strives for SGA to be more present and available to the student body, despite however many miles students are separate from campus during the fall semester.

“A big goal of mine is to increase the transparency and accessibility of SGA,” Mason said. “I believe that many students want their voices to be heard, but they are not aware that SGA is here to serve them. With a stronger campus presence, students will be able to voice their concerns and work with SGA to find a resolution.”

Both leaders said they are committed to improving diversity and inclusion on campus. Goodrich told The Panther that it's one of the organization’s top concerns.

“We’ve had multiple discussions with the Black Student Union about how we can help bring their action items to fruition,” he said. “We’ve crafted a statement of support to share with the university, and also assigned multiple members of SGA to each of the 12 action items to ensure they come about.”

Despite the setbacks brought by the pandemic during elections, Goodrich and Mason expressed determination to implement positive change in the form of improved accessibility to assistance and inclusion for Chapman students this semester.

“By enhancing our social media, improving our website and increasing our survey and data collection efforts, it’s my hope that students will better know SGA and that we’ll better understand the students,” Goodrich said.