Copyright The Independent Florida Alligator
UF Student Government held a State of the Campus address on Tuesday to discuss accomplishments from the past school year and initiatives for the upcoming semester. A mix of old and new representatives spoke on student club funding, safety initiatives and upcoming events ranging from an on-campus concert to a special appearance from an Emmy-winning TV star. The address took place at the University Auditorium, with over 100 students and staff in attendance. Student organizations like Bridges Multicultural Outreach tabled outside the auditorium’s entrance, and SG handed out free sweatshirts. Student Body President Blake Cox kicked off the campus address. All executive secretaries are advocating for on- and off-campus safety, he said, by starting new mental health programs and eliminating accessibility barriers. He expressed gratitude for his position and said he had no time to waste in his one-year term. “Every day I wake up ready to put 110% into this position,” Cox said. Cox recognized a number of student body agencies, including the Accent Speakers Bureau, which attracted “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston as a guest speaker in August and will bring “Severance” actress Britt Lower to speak at UF on Nov. 13. He also commended Gators Going Green, which recently launched a monthly newsletter highlighting volunteering and sustainability efforts. Cox added SG will host a “take back night” — an event dedicated to nighttime safety — in the Spring, and highlighted UF’s first ever “Live from the Lawn” event — a free outdoor concert at the Reitz Union north lawn showcasing live performances from local talent. The concert will take place Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Student Body Vice President Jade Leonor Gonzalez spoke next. Throughout her term, which began in the Spring, she has prioritized refining the cabinet structure to “create a better balance and reduce redundancy,” she said. There are now 24 cabinets, she said, two of which she introduced— Emerging Technologies and Life Skills. Gonzalez recognized student struggles to keep track of cabinet work, and in an effort to increase transparency she launched “Cabinet Connect,” a monthly magazine available on SG’s social media and in print at the SG office recapping the branch’s work. She added SG released an interactive Google calendar for students to learn about campus programming and resources. Beyond the cabinet, she said, Gonzalez has worked with UF administration to improve awareness of religious accommodations and help students know their rights. While UF’s policy is very inclusive, she said, many students remain unaware of their rights and resources, and her initiative aims to ensure all students feel supported in their beliefs and practices. “My hope is that through these continued efforts, every Gator feels seen, supported and proud to call this university their home,” she said. Student Body Treasurer, Johanna Moncy, said she has personally connected with over 75 student organizations and held sponsorship consultations with over 30 student organizations to help them create sponsorship emails and packets to find companies to sponsor them. “From my perspective, the treasurer's office is a bridge between Student Government and the student organizations that make our schools so incredible,” she said. Moncy said she spearheaded hosting the August SG finance presentation in-person, at the request of various student organizations, to ensure student leaders better understand funding information. She added the budget committee held a budget bash earlier this month — a week of events assisting student organizations with their finances, including personal office hours with Moncy to review budget proposals. “Budget Super Bowl,” the day operational, travel and event funding open for student organizations, starts Oct. 29 at 9 a.m. Former Senate President Julia Seifer said the Student Senate passed 203 bills in the past seven months focusing on community, accessibility, mental and physical health and safety. Over the Summer, she said, the Senate allocated over $23 million to RecSports, student engagement, student government and the Reitz Union. The newly established campus safety and mobility ad hoc committee has worked to ensure every student feels secure by analyzing areas needing safety improvement, Seifer added, and it has already established improved lighting by Norman Field. “While my time as Senate president has come to an end, I have absolutely no doubt that the next generation of leaders will continue to raise the bar,” she said. Current Senate President Maya Idiculla also spoke, addressing initiatives including a dorm swap platform allowing students to exchange dorm supplies they no longer need and the addition of a pre-law minor under the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She added the Mental Health ad hoc committee has been reinstated in the Senate and will develop initiatives to support the wellness of students. The Counseling and Wellness Center will host a presentation with the senate on Nov. 18 to highlight the full range of services available at the center and open senators to a broader partnership with the CWC. The Senate is amplifying diverse voices through caucuses such as the Hispanic caucus, she said, and a new social media series, “Senate Snapshot,” where senators explain their initiatives, will continue to be expanded. “I'm so excited to see the incredible initiatives and accomplishments that will come from these conferences throughout the year,” she said.
