Bailey, Herrington lead SGA

Two new faces are leading the Student Government Association (SGA) and representing the student body.

SGA President Natalie Bailey and Vice President Luke Herrington were voted into office at the end of the 2006 spring semester. The two have a lot on their plate and are ready to dig in.

“I would say that the biggest goal that I can think of for SGA right now would be our town gown’ relations,” SGA President, Natalie Bailey said. “This is basically how we communicate with St. Joe and how they communicate with us. We’re really trying to get out there and do things for the community and that way the community in turn will do things for us.”

Bailey said that they are trying to get involved in St. Joe traditions like the Apple Blossom Parade and Light the Night.

“SGA has been trying to get a team together and we want as many students as possible to come participate with us,” Bailey said.

Bailey said that getting a better connection between the community and Western is one of her biggest concerns while in office. Another goal SGA wants to achieve is the completion the food court project.

“One of our main goals is trying to get the food court finished, get through the second and third phase,” Bailey said. “I don’t know when that’s going to happen but we’re pushing along trying to get that all taken care of.”

Herrington plays a dual role as both SGA vice president and the senate president. One of his main goals is to expand the senate to try and get more students involved.

“We want to increase the size of the student senate because having more students involved brings in a wider array of opinions, view points, etc,” Herrington said.

Herrington said one reason to expand the senate is to help sufficiently represent the student body.

Due to constitution changes voted on last year by the student body, Bailey and Herrington will have an extra semester in office.

“Instead of running from the end of one year through, now the term changes in January,” Bailey said. “So every president after us will go spring and fall. In order to get that track set we had to do a year and half to where we took office with the old term always halves and then we will go all the way until when the new term is.”

Herrington said one of his goals is to simply just survive the year and half in office.

“It’s going to be more work but it’s going to be more work in a good way,” Bailey said. “We have an extra semester to do things and we can make our mark on campus. So I’m really excited about having the extra time to really get some stuff done.”

Bailey said she wants to make sure that things are in place for future senates so that SGA can flourish and continue to be strong.

Some other goals that Bailey and Herrington have are trying to get more people involved.

“We’re just trying to get students involved. We want to find those student leaders, grab them and bring them into activities and things that we do, that way it’s not the same five people,” Bailey said. “We’re really focusing on it and trying to find new and innovative ways to get people to our things.”

Dean of Students Paul Shang said that it was wise choice by the student body to vote Bailey and Herrington into office.

“I think as far as knowledgeable students, students who are committed to the institution, students who are familiar with a wide range of different kinds of things that affect other students, they are wonderful and very experienced student leaders,” Shang said. “I think they are going to accomplish a lot.”