2019-2020 STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL REPORT
LETTER FROM SGA PRESIDENT MARY MARGARET TURTON The Student Government Association makes it our mission to serve and promote the individual student while unifying all that is Auburn. This year we have accomplished this goal through purposeful interaction and feedback gathering, advocating for initiatives across campus, and creating social programming that builds community within the Auburn Family. Our executive team has been dedicated to incorporating feedback and representative data in our advocacy, and based on this, we prioritized our goals to focus on the Student Experience, Campus Safety, and Technological Innovation. This dedication to feedback is captured by the 140% increase in Auburn Answers submissions that we received, responded to, and shared with the respective campus leaders. We also used this commitment to feedback when advocating on behalf of the university to legislators in Montgomery as the largest Education Trust Fund to date was allocated. Our efforts included 500 handwritten letters from students and a resolution by the Student Senate to help contribute to the additional $16 million the university received. Our team’s engagement and learning from the student body has been a necessary part of the request made to university leadership and the Board of Trustees that more scholarship money be offered to students with demonstrated need. Collaborations with student groups and campus teams have been important for our advocacy. We worked with Transportation, Dining, and Campus Safety partners to implement a subsidized late night rideshare program and collaborated with Dining and the Office of Information Technology to launch Flunch, a faculty lunch program that encourages relationships between faculty and students outside of the classroom. We led a student push to fundraise and work with the Auburn University Medical Clinic to bring Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to campus as a resource for students. We recognized the importance of providing nutritious food on campus and then sustainably turning the waste into a resource. We worked with campus supporters to secure a commitment from the College of Agriculture to incorporate a composting site in the Teaching Garden. We partnered with Beat Bama Food Drive and Auburn Cares to raise $1,597 toward a meal assistance program for students facing food insecurity. We have worked closely with the Office of Information and Technology to advocate that their priorities include a Banner upgrade that will simplify the user experience and a new voting technology. This year the 256 students that comprise all three branches of SGA have worked tirelessly to engage and understand the student body so we could then boldly represent and serve them, the best student body in the country. I am proud of this team, the small ways we have contributed to making Auburn a little bit better than we found it, and the seeds that have been planted and will flourish into impactful student initiatives in the future. Thank you, SGA team, for your incredible effort and hard work this year. Administrators, thank you for your dedication to the student voice and for working with us to accomplish our goals. Most importantly, thank you to the student body for making Auburn University the most incredible place of learning and growth and for trusting us, SGA, to represent you.
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God bless and War Eagle!
TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT SGA AND OVERVIEW
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EXECUTIVE HIGHLIGHTS
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LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
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FINANCE AND AUBURN RING TRADITION
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INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
12
OUTREACH HIGHLIGHTS
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AUBURN ANSWERS REPORT
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PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHTS
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MARKETING HIGHLIGHTS
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CLOSING
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ABOUT SGA The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official governing organization of the student body. With a vision to elevate the Auburn experience through student life, campus safety and technological innovation, SGA represents the student voice to university faculty, staff and administration as well as government entities like the Auburn City Council and Alabama State Legislature. SGA is divided among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch consists of Executive Cabinet with different teams conducting programming, initiatives, financial projects, outreach efforts, and communications & marketing tactics to serve, promote and unify the student body. The legislative branch is made up of 34 senators representing Auburn’s 14 colleges and schools who address constituent needs and concerns through passing legislation. The judicial branch interprets the SGA Constitution and Code of Laws.
“SERVING AND PROMOTING THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT; UNIFYING ALL THAT IS AUBURN.” –SGA MISSION STATEMENT–
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SGA OVERVIEW
97 CABINET MEMBERS 46 FRESHMAN FORUM MEMBERS
34 SENATORS 28 LOBBY BOARD MEMBERS 26 SCHOOLS COUNCIL PRESIDENTS/VICE PRESIDENTS 14 ELECTIONS STAFF MEMBERS 12 JUDICIAL BRANCH MEMBERS 4 AUBURN RING AMBASSADORS
11,405 voters in spring elections 39.29% turnout rate 10,203 voters in homecoming elections 33.31% turnout rate 15 concourse days dedicated to collecting student feedback 12,500+ students attended SGA events 23 SGA members serve on university boards and committees
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EXECUTIVE HIGHLIGHTS “ELEVATING THE AUBURN EXPERIENCE THROUGH STUDENT LIFE, CAMPUS SAFETY, AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION” –2019-2020 EXECUTIVE VISION STATEMENT–
SEATED Mary Margaret Turton, President
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STANDING, LEFT TO RIGHT Julianne Lyn: Executive Vice President of Initiatives, Carlos Smith: Vice President, Katherine Neil: Executive Vice President of Programs, Hunter Short: Treasurer, Ashley Satterfield: Executive Vice President of Outreach, Jack Wilbanks: Executive Vice President of Communications and Marketing
SANE Implementation SGA worked with the Auburn University Medical Clinic and Health Promotion and Wellness Services to bring a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program to campus. Five clinic nurses have undergone SANE training and are certified to conduct exams. SGA funded the program by receiving more than 800 individual donations through a student awareness campaign and a Tiger Giving Day project, raising more than $51,313 in funds.
“Donate a Dollar” Campaign
SGA partnered with Beat Bama Food Drive and Auburn Cares to create and implement an annual partnership with Campus Dining to allow students to donate Tiger Card money to fund a meal assistance program for Auburn students facing food insecurity. This campus wide initiative raised awareness about food insecurity and more than $1,500.
Launch of Flunch
Flunch, a faculty lunch program, is an initiative that aims to encourage relationships with faculty and students outside of the classroom. SGA worked with the Office of Information Technology, faculty, and Campus Dining to see this program successfully launched and marketed in the fall of 2019.
Lyft “Ride Smart” Program SGA advocated for a late-night ride share program to ensure students had a popular, easily-accessible and safe ride home at night. By working with the Parking and Transportation Services and university administration, we released an RFP and launched a partnership with Lyft giving students free rides up to $10, Thursday - Saturday nights from 10 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Parking and Transportation accessibility and efficiency
In addition to securing a late-night ride smart program, SGA assisted in choosing a new transit app provider, micro-mobility provider, and is continuing to assist in decisions regarding a provider for new transit buses. SGA advocated to improve numerous transit routes to improve efficiency for students and advocated for a 5:30 p.m. rather than 6 p.m. enforcement time for parking lot ticketing. SGA also served on a parking working group to create a long-term parking plan for the university.
Increase of Need-Based Scholarships SGA supported the increase of need-based aid and more inclusive recruitment practices on order to provide more opportunities to diversify the student body.
Approval and Funding for Composting Site
SGA worked with the Office of Sustainability, Campus Dining, and College of Agriculture to secure a location and initial funding for a composting facility on campus, which will serve as an educational opportunity for students, as well as a sustainable, holistic food system for on-campus dining options and waste.
New Crosswalk Technology Implemented
SGA worked to implement flashing crosswalk technology to increase pedestrian safety, especially in the nighttime hours. SGA has also implemented a plan to continue increasing this safety feature across campus.
Mobile Application and Online Software RFP
SGA advocated for an all-in-one user-friendly mobile application for all student services and student life activities. SGA worked with OIT to initiate an improved portal feature to highlight student services on AU Access, and is continuing to assist in evaluating an RFP for this software.
Student Activities Center Renovation Completion
SGA advocated for and oversaw renovations to the Student Activities Center, providing a space for various student groups and events to be held in order to better serve student activities and student involvement on campus.
Official Capacity with City Representation SGA established standing monthly meetings with the Mayor and City Manager, furthering the relationship between the city, student body and university.
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LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS IMPACT REPORT
CODE CHANGES LIAISON CONFIRMATIONS
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RESOLUTIONS
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RESERVE FUND REQUESTS
3
PROGRAM EXPANSION FUND REQUESTS
3
COMMENDATIONS
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TOTAL
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KEY LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Education Trust Fund Resolution
Need Based Scholarship Resolution
The Student Senate passed a resolution urging the Alabama State Legislature to increase Auburn’s share of a proposed increase to the education trust fund budget. The resolution was passed based off feedback from an outreach initiative where Auburn students sent more than 200 letters to state legislature and resulted in Auburn University receiving approximately 16 million more dollars.
The Senate Inclusion and Diversity drafted a resolution urging the university to issue more need based scholarships. This resolution fell in line with Auburn University’s fifth goal in its new strategic plan in emphasizing recruitment of a diverse applicant pool.
Academic Honesty Code Updates The Senate Code of Laws committee updated the Academic Honesty Code to ensure a fair process for all students in academic honesty situations.
POW/MIA Chair of Honor Auburn Athletics, the Auburn Student Veterans Association and the Student Government collaborated to implement a Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Chair of Honor in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Student Senate resolution led to the initiative being revealed on Nov. 2, 2019, during the Military Appreciation football game versus Ole Miss.
Academic Affairs Scantron Initiative The Academic Affairs committee successfully worked to have blue scantrons, green scantrons and blue books sold in on-campus convenience stores. Students may now purchase these academicrelated items in a timely manner before exams given convenience stores hours are more accessible than the bookstore.
STUDENT SENATE
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FINANCE STATISTICS REVENUE GENERATED IN 2019-2020 $70,000 RING SALES AND GRADUATION INVITATIONS $12,000 T-SHIRT SALES / TICKET SALES TO PROGRAMS $82,000
TOTAL REVENUES GENERATED
FUNDING INITIATIVES LIKE FLUNCH... Fund Initiatives like Flunch, Auburn Answers Upgrade, Website Overhaul, Support students building relationships with different legislators through SEC in D.C., STARS, and our Higher Education Partnership
FUNDED 9 SCHOLARSHIPS:
t otaling $15,000 for four prospective minority students and five students funding their college education
BUDGET AND FINANCE PROCESS ALLOCATION SUMMARY
INCREASE IN BUDGET AND FINANCE FUNDS BROUGHT
- $2.91 millionin student activity fees allocated by Student Senate - Student activity fee funds sent to BSU, Emerge Leadership Programs, ISO, Service Organizations, SGA, Student Media Student Organizations, and UPC
- Late-night programming - Larger monetary allocation to registered student organizations - Enhanced leadership programs - The ability to cover Hey Day, Family Fridays, Creed Week, and Holiday Lighting Ceremony under the Student Activity Fee - Increase O-Fund by 50% for Registered Student Organizations
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WELCOME TO THE AUBURN RING TRADITION A class ring from Auburn University is a timeless reminder of the lifelong impact that this great institution promises. Auburn rings are like no other; the tradition behind them is not only written, but also physically reflected through the Auburn Ring Tradition. Available for students who have completed more than 75 credit hours, the tradition honors the founding of Auburn University in 1856, where Auburn rings are placed on the seal from 18:56 military time (6:56 p.m.) until the respective graduation year in military time. Three days later, graduates wash their rings with water from the president’s fountain. This ceremonial cleansing of the rings rids them of the curse from the seal while preserving the rich history of Auburn that the seal represents. Join this beautiful and unique tradition by taking part in joining the Auburn Ring Tradition!
1109 RINGS SOLD 11
INITIATIVES HIGHLIGHTS
273 32
14 3540 1600
176 80 12
MEALS PROVIDED through Flunch since September 2019 launch RESIDENCE HALLS with SGA presence during first “Reverse” town hall on campus housing NEW TIGER TRANSIT ROUTE provided by SGA’s continuous feedback, leading to route modifications to best serve student needs
DONUTS AND GALLONS OF ORANGE JUICE distributed during Up All Night
POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERNS identified in SGA’s bi-annual safety walk. As a result of the safety walk, four additional light poles were added to the Shelby Courtyard to help illuminate the area at night
SUBMISSIONS in the Haley Center Chair Challenge to evaluate options for chair replacements in the Haley Center and Academic Classroom and Laboratory Complex
PRIORITY 1 SGA hosted Priority1, a three-day event designed to promote mental, physical and academic wellness the week before finals and also included free breakfast buffet, yoga class, rock painting, and therapy dogs in the library. Campus partners included Health Promotion and Wellness Services’ Dream Team, Be Well Hut, CHAARG, CAREing Paws, Tiger Dining and Active Minds.
MENTAL WEALTH WEEK SGA participated in Auburn’s annual Mental Wealth Week by coordinating with Auburn’s Chapter of Active Minds and contributing to bringing “Send Silence Packing,” a nationally acclaimed suicide awareness initiative, to Auburn’s campus.
CAMPUS DINING
SAFETY WEEK
SGA worked with Campus Dining to oversee various projects including the opening of more than seven new or renovated dining facilities, strategic planning for the opening of the upcoming 800-seat Central Dining Hall, development of a student feedback committee on the future of dining on campus, and planning for food insecurity resources on campus.
SGA hosted a weeklong initiative designed to promote safety to students and included various demonstrations, trainings, and informational materials from each of our partners and concluded on a Friday night by passing out 300 hotdogs and waters to students in downtown Auburn. Campus partners included Campus Safety and Security, Health Promotion & Wellness Services, Housing and Residence Life, Auburn Police Department, Auburn Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services, Student Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of Information Technology, and the City of Auburn.
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OUTREACH HIGHLIGHTS Hosted SGA’s first ever “Reverse Town Hall” in conjunction with Housing administrators and Resident Assistants – garnering 136 responses on the topic of on-campus housing
Second annual Fall Feast had more than 500 total attendees after being named “Event of the Year” at SEC Exchange
CONDUCTED 10 UNIQUE BENCHMARKING PROJECTS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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ADDITIONAL CAMPUS HOUSING PREFERENCES MOBILE TICKETING FOR FOOTBALL PHARMACY SCHOOL GRADUATION ATTIRE CLASS EXCUSES FOR JOB INTERVIEWS & CAREER FAIRS COMPOSTING ON CAMPUS READING DAYS BEFORE FINALS PARKING DECK SOLUTIONS FOOD INSECURITY ON CAMPUS HONOR CODES AT PEER UNIVERSITIES ALCOHOL IN FOOTBALL STUDENT SECTIONS
CAMPUS RELATIONS
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Paired members of Lobby Board with more than 30 members of Alabama State Legislature serving on six committees In House of Representative and Senate to advocate for higher education funding Registered more than 50 students to vote at Voter Registration Drive event Distributed 500 hamburgers and milkshakes to students with Auburn Mayor Ron Anders at event to begin fall semester
Campus Relations planned and executed Breaking Barriers: a two-part event with small group discussions between students and a student-moderated administrator panel with the Black Student Union, International Student Organization and Spectrum to discuss inclusion and diversity on campus with more than 220 total attendees.
3500 350
Sent updates to more than campus organizations
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Began meeting monthly with Auburn Mayor and City Manager to discuss issues most pressing to the city and university Organized first ever neighborhood cookout in Ward 1, giving students and citizens opportunities to discuss matters pressing to the City of Auburn
Conducted browse sessions at Camp War Eagle, SOS Orientation sessions and campus-wide Organization Days
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YEARLY SUMMARY
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AUBURN answers SGA’S PRIMARY FEEDBACK SYSTEM
PARTNERED WITH DINING TO ADVERTISE AUBURN ANSWERS IN CAMPUS DINING HALLS RECEIVED MORE THAN 170 SUBMISSIONS IN “AUBURN ANSWERS WEEK”
HOSTED MORE THAN EIGHT OUTREACH DAYS WHERE SGA MEMBERS COLLECTED FEEDBACK TO SEND TO AUBURN ANSWERS SHARED STUDENT FEEDBACK WITH RESPECTIVE CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS COMPLIED MONTHLY REPORTS FOR ALL OTHER DIVISIONS OF SGA TO UTILIZE FEEDBACK
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FRESHMAN FORUM
PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHTS 346 186 46
FRESHMEN APPLIED FRESHMEN INTERVIEWED FRESHMEN SELECTED
Freshman Forum utilized a revamped program schedule with a SPU (Serve, Promote and Unify) focus, placed with mentorships in each area of SGA and equipped the members to holistically serve their class as freshmen SGA representatives.
BETTER RELATIONS DAY
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student leaders from Auburn University, The University of Alabama, and The University of Georgia at the 71st gathering of Better Relations Day.
Better Relations Day serves as a catalyst of good sportsmanship and collaboration amongst the three institutions. Attendees engaged in counterpart discussions, breakout sessions and a key note speech by Jane DiFolco Parker, Auburn University Vice President for Development.
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HOLIDAY LIGHTING CEREMONY
HEY DAY
SGA and UPC co-hosted the 2019 Holiday Lighting Ceremony, partnering with Project Uplift and Hillel, the Auburn Jewish Student Organization. The program included Interim President Jay Gogue, Mayor Anders, Men’s Basketball Coach, Bruce Pearl, and choral and musical groups from both Auburn University and the City of Auburn.
Auburn Alumni clubs including from San Diego, Nashville, Los Angeles, Atlanta and others joined the Hey Day tradition as they took to social media, held private “Hey Day” events, and distributed nametags to their members. Two virtual name tag stations were implemented allowing distance students and alumni to participate in the Hey Day tradition.
213 11085
FAMILY FRIDAYS
22 5
CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS PARTNERS FAMILY FRIDAY EVENTS
VOLUNTEERS NAMETAGS DISTRIBUTED
HOMECOMING
39 1000
GROUPS PARTICIPATED IN 2019 HOMECOMING PARADE INDIVIDUALS ATTENDED THE HOMECOMING PEP RALLY
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COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING HIGHLIGHTS
TOTAL MARKETING PROJECT REQUESTS PROCESSED
SGA’s Communications and Marketing team maintains an organization brand reflective upon the organization’s mission statement. SGA braining is recognizable to the entire student body through clean and minimalistic photo-based materials. SGA branding presents the organization and its members as approachable, passionate and genuine through sharing their unique personalities and desires for serving Auburn and its students.
87 52 38 28 21
DIGITAL GRAPHICS PROJECTS PRINT MATERIALS AND PROMOTIONAL ITEMS PHOTOGRAPHY EVENTS VIDEOS FILMED AND EDITED WEBSITE MAINTENANCE REQUESTS
OF STUDENTS HOLDING FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS received “Guide to Gameday” with gameday procedures and information
INSTAGRAM: 4353 FOLLOWERS FACEBOOK: 4416 LIKES TWITTER: RE-JOINED PLATFORM
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SGA
SE R VE . PROMOTE . UNIFY
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CHAPARRAL ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz regular | bold
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LETTER FROM INCOMING SGA PRESIDENT
ADA RUTH HUNTLEY
Over my last three years at Auburn, I have had the opportunity to see just how impactful Student Government Association can be in serving and promoting the individual student and unifying all that is Auburn. It is because of this mission and the leadership that came before me that I am so honored to get to continue this legacy. My team and I have big shoes to fill over the next year, but I am confident that we will be able to do so while listening to the student voice, advocating for student issues, and, most importantly, making every student feel a part of the Auburn family. Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This year’s team is dedicated to making each individual student feel heard, seen, and appreciated as a member of the Auburn family. We, the 2020-2021 SGA Executive team, are so honored to take on these roles and serve our wonderful university over the next year and look forward to all that is to come. War Eagle! Ada Ruth Huntley
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CONTACT US Student Government Association 255 Heisman Drive – 3130 AU Student Center Auburn University, AL 36849-5134 Phone: (334) 844-4240 Fax: (334) 844-4172 sga@auburn.edu
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