Whether it’s involving legacy projects or sponsoring EPCC organizations and events, the Student Government Association has made a name for itself within the city and the entire state of Texas through its success in accomplishing goals.
Among the many projects SGA is currently working on, a pertinent one deals with Uncle Sam.
“We want to encourage our students to vote,” said Arvis Jones, director for Student Leadership and Campus Life.
With city elections coming up in February, EPCC will be offering early voting on all campuses except Mission del Paso.
The epcc.edu/campus life/SGA website offers a link to the El Paso County homepage, which gives directions on becoming a registered voter.
For students interested in becoming a candidate for SGA, elections for the 2008-2009 year will occur in April.
However, if students are interested in joining SGA right away and do not want to wait until April, senator positions are currently available.
Applications are accessible online.
Students are encouraged, according to Jones, to voice their concerns and come forward with issues they would like to see resolved.
“SGA’s main priority is advocating student’s rights,” Jones said.
SGA is affiliated with Student Leadership, Intramural Sports, and Campus Life.
In addition, they sponsor the Student Leadership program, all campus life activities such as the Poetry Slam and fund trips taken by EPCC clubs.
SGA also funds several scholarships and organizes the annual graduation dance.
Each year, SGA does a legacy project which uniquely commemorates the class of the SGA members involved.
Last semester, one was the renovation of the Valle Verde cafeteria, and the other was the Transmountain campus photograph display which presented a collection of photographs taken by students and faculty.
Both legacy projects were left behind by the class of 2007 and were funded by SGA and student’s own money.
On the forefront, students are contemplating a third legacy project. However, details have not been finalized.
Jones did mention an up-and-coming project this year to create student unions on each EPCC campus, a place where students can socialize.
Envisioned in their plans are a TV area and a business area where EPCC clubs and organizations can hold meetings.
This would be an alternative to the patio and cafeteria areas where a great number of students wait in between class times.
To get approval for this Student Union project, SGA needs to secure a student petition with 12,000 signatures to submit to the IE (Institutional Effectiveness) committee.
Yet, it is on the state level that SGA has accomplished some of their greatest achievements.
For the first time in 20-plus-years, EPCC became the president school for the state organization in 2006-2007.
It was during this time that EPCC students drafted a bill to reduce the costs of textbooks.
Although the bill did not pass, it did reach the House and Senate.
This year SGA holds the state’s vice president position. It will overlook tasks such as creating the convention, obtaining keynote speakers and entertainment, and leading the leadership breakout session.
For more information on SGA or any campus life events, visit their website at epcc.edu/campuslife or stop by room C112 at VV.
