The General Board meeting for the Student Government Association began at 8:05 pm on October 20, 2021.
Student Body Comments
Model UN representative Alexandra Huff was the first to speak up. She had a question concerning the documentation of the SGA meetings. Huff asked, “Why are the meetings not recorded or livestreamed to Facebook anymore?” SGA President Gill MacDonald responded by saying technical difficulties were why they haven’t recorded or livestreamed the past four meetings. However, MacDonald said they would work on documenting the next meetings.
Huff also inquired about an issue that a few alumni have reached out to her about concerning the Microsoft Office accounts connected to the school. Students who have graduated lose access to their accounts as they no longer actively attend NVU. However, some alumni are concerned about the lack of communication about when the drive expires, expressing a need to return to their accounts for resumes and cover letters. Jonathan Davis said he would inquire with Jason Ryan, the chief technology officer, about communicating with students about the Microsoft Office accounts and when they would expire.
Student Katelyn Gillette announced she would be taking over the formatting of The Buzz and Weekly Events email. In addition, she requested clubs send her information about upcoming events at least a week before they occur to be included in the email and table tents around campus.
Reports & Presentations
NVU Interim President John Mills spoke about what he has been working on so far during his first month at NVU and his goals looking forward. President Mills officially started at Northern Vermont University on August 19 but had to finish another job before coming to Vermont earlier this month. Provost Nolan Atkins acted as Chief Operating Officer in his place. Mills was president for 14 years at two other colleges, including Paul Smith’s College and Mount Aloysius College. Since he has a significant amount of experience in this position, the learning curve is specific to NVU and the Vermont State College System.
President Mills stated that one of the goals he has been working on is to “get out into the community and reestablish the NVU brand, and inform the community that we are here to stay.” Mills has scheduled meetings with donors to thank them, reconnect with them, and see if there is more they want to do with the school.
Moving forward, he also wants to work on increasing the enrollment rate at NVU. He has scheduled meetings with 20 or more high schools throughout Vermont and New Hampshire to promote NVU to move towards this goal. Mills also wants to increase the retention rate and bring it up to the national average for colleges. He says an increase in the retention rate will improve financial stability within the school and overall will improve enrollment.
Mills will be writing a column in The Critic to inform the student body about what he is working on and university updates. He also is planning a moonlight hike in conjunction with the Outing Club, a tradition he has held at every college he’s worked at. To increase student involvement, he hinted at a “buzzing” purchase order made to be used at upcoming sports games.
President Mills told the SGA he will be annotating the transformation updates that VSCS Chancellor Sophie Zdatny sends out every two weeks. The annotation will focus on what significant issues are being discussed or decided upon.
In other news, today marks the beginning of Halloweek, a weeklong celebration of activities put on by student leaders and clubs. Halloweek began Saturday, October 23 with a bus trip to Salem, MA. More information concerning Halloweek can be found here.
Other Business
Concerning the Vermont State Colleges Student Association, all student representatives are preparing to meet in Montpelier in the near future.
Club & Committee Updates
Model UN will be attending the Boston conference virtually due to COVID-19.
The Gardening Club is going to plant garlic bulbs across campus soon.
The next SGA meeting will be held Wednesday, November 3 in the Moore Community Room.