The Slippery Rock Student Government Association (SGA) operations will transition to remote methods by using CORE to vote on motions, and formal meetings will be postponed until after the extended spring break.
As of now, all meetings are canceled until March 30, and SGA is preparing to continue doing business virtually. The times and dates for formal meetings are yet to be determined.
“Just as professors are preparing to continue online, the E-board will prepare over the extended break to change how committee business is done,” President Nicole Dunlop said.
Committees will also be meeting virtually after the extended spring break is over. Dunlop said this extended break will give the chairs of the committee time to prepare to move online.
Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Maggie Calvert said she does not have any concrete plans yet for her social justice committee. She said after the extended spring break, her committee will hold weekly meetings over Zoom and Google Docs.
The social justice committee will continue to look at policies regarding discrimination. Calvert said they will focus mainly on retention of students of color, issues with the chosen name policy and banner regarding transgender and non-binary students.
“Although the situation is unfortunate,” Calvert said, “I do think this will be a good opportunity for us to get some very important groundwork laid and work done on big issues that we haven’t always had the chance to focus on.”
Calvert said she is aware of the concerns regarding coronavirus precautions.
“The committee will work to address these concerns and ensure students have all of the resources they need to be successful throughout these difficult times,” Calvert said.
Elections for SGA are also coming up. Dunlop said she is waiting to hear from the election commission with what they have decided to do. She said currently the executive board and the election commission are discussing several options and will have a decision made as soon as possible.
The food pantry is closed, but SGA will continue to discuss how they can still provide these services for students.
The town halls are canceled, but SGA will continue to discuss the possibility of having virtual town halls for students.
As for the clubs and organizations on campus, Dunlop believes this transition will be a challenge for most.
“I think this is a time for everyone to learn to be adaptable and to further their leadership in a way we normally wouldn’t be able to,” Dunlop said.
Calvert said one of the things she will start to plan is the transition from her to the next vice president of diversity and inclusion.
“I have loved being in this position, but there have been many challenges,” Calvert said. “Some to the point that I considered walking away.”
Calvert said she wants to make sure the next person in her position feels empowered with as much information and advice that she and her committee can offer.
