Miami University’s Associated Student Government is on a mission to “serve the undergraduate student body by soliciting and acting upon student needs and concerns.” They are dedicated to improving the Miami experience for not only current students, but for future students as well.
Last week, Miami University teamed up with the Associated Student Government (ASG) to host the first ever State of the School Address. Student Body President Maggie Reilly spent the evening addressing the concerns of students and identifying ways in which ASG plans on improving them for the future.
Here are the key takeaways from last week’s address:
Reilly refers to ASG as “Goal Diggers“…that’s right, G-O-A-L diggers. They are goal driven and have set a list of attainable goals for how they will improve the Miami experience for students.
Improve the physical and mental health of students.
They have begun to improve the health of students by fixing overcrowding at the rec center, hosting mental health forums, expanding rec and student counseling services, and improving dining services (Reilly also expressed interest in possibly adding more franchises to campus such as Panera Bread). And yes for those of you wondering, ASG is taking the “Make Bell Tower Great Again” petition very seriously!
Implement programs to help students find their place.
ASG is adding a new director position that will be responsible for promoting student organization events. With this position, they hope to improve student awareness, engagement ,and attendance at events on campus. In addition to the new position, they are establishing an “ASG Success Fund.” This grant will help students in need of financial assistance. From airline tickets home for emergencies to a few extra dollars added at the end of a dwindling meal plan, this fund is being implemented so that no one feels helpless. They referred to it as “students helping students.”
Integrate Miami communities for a more inclusive campus
Reilly broke down the three communities that she feels our campus is mainly divided into: students in Greek life, international/diverse students, and athletes. Their goal is to bring all of these groups together so that our campus no longer feels divided. They plan to do this by bringing Greek life and athletics together for philanthropy events and brotherhood/sisterhood events. They will also add diversity peer educators. The purpose of this is to educate Miami students about diversity, and to bring international/diverse communities together with the rest of campus. They hope to host diversity forums with speakers that make all students want to attend.
Reilly ended the address with a quote: “Dream big, but follow through bigger.” The Associated Student Government plans to do just that. They have big dreams for Miami and they are dedicated to following through with all of their set goals.
*Photos from www.miamiohasg.com
