WCGA Turning Over a New Leaf

Photo by Jenna Kauffman

Following a change in leadership at the beginning of this spring semester, the Wilson College Government Association (WCGA) is looking to make positive changes in the near and distant future.

When Christina Gonzalez ’16 stepped down from her position as WCGA President at the start of the semester, Kerry Salmi ’16 stepped up to fill the seat from her place as Chief Justice. Salmi had also previously been the acting Treasurer and acting Vice President for the WCGA.

To start the process of positive changes in communication and organization, Salmi is writing a report from the WCGA to the Board of Trustees in preparation for the upcoming meeting. She will be attending the meeting to represent the association and discuss the report, along with fellow WCGA members Cody Dunlap ’18 and Erica Henry ’18.

There are three Board of Trustees meetings held per year, and the WCGA is invited to submit a report prior to each one. Mary Beth Williams, the Dean of Student Affairs, stated that the meetings are a great way to keep communication open and allow for “very open, fluid conversation.” As adviser for the WCGA, Dean Williams attends meetings and events when needed, and helps with any questions about budgeting or the judicial process that students may have.

As the new WCGA President, Salmi is working on creating an agenda for the year. She described this agenda as a “two prong assault” to improve WCGA’s effectiveness and efficiency. The first prong, Salmi stated, will entail bridging the communication gap between students and administration on campus. This includes offering more direction to students about what departments can supply certain necessary information, perhaps even putting up more informative signage around campus for students. Salmi said the goal for this is to “provide more cohesion on campus.”

The second prong of the new agenda is all about strengthening leadership roles within the WCGA, to benefit current leaders, members, and future officers. First in that process, they are looking into ways to change policies and requirements for apportionments to help them run smoothly, as well as an easier way for clubs and organizations to update their constitutions, many of which were written years ago.

Salmi explained that the current officers will be making manuals comprised of duties and directions for each designated position in the WCGA. There will also be a process for training future officers. New officers will be given the chance to “shadow” the officer in the position they will be stepping into in order to better understand what is required of them.

Things have already improved four weeks into the semester. Brant Swartz ’17 noted that there are now no lingering issues of communication within the WCGA and they seem to be heading in the right direction.

If you would like to attend the Board of Trustees meeting, it will be held Friday, Feb. 19, in the Patterson Lounge at 3:15 p.m.