Graduating SGA leaders debunk its myths, praise experience gained

By Patrick O’Keefe & Donovan Dawson

In reflecting on our campus involvements at FIU as undergraduates we are united in saying the Student Government Association has been an amazing experience for the both of us and it has been critical in our development as young professionals and as people.
Through this organization we learned the importance of working with others from different backgrounds and perspectives and we got a feeling of what it was like to be a part of a governmental system as we dealt with all of the challenges associated with such an entity. Above all else we are incredibly thankful to the student body for entrusting us with the honor and responsibility of being their student leaders.
When thinking about SGA one would be hard pressed to not mention the incredible work we do with university administration. As the duly elected leaders of the student body our job is to be the middleman between students and administration to ensure student concerns are heard and addressed, and in doing so we unequivocally agree that the university administration has been very receptive to student concerns and are important allies when it comes to achieving the goals that we set out to meet. Granted, there are times when we as student leaders are at odds with administration regarding certain issues and decisions, but all of us as students and administrators remain committed to making sure that we find common ground within the parameters of feasibility to continue to make FIU a Worlds Ahead institution.
Like many organizations SGA suffers from certain stigmas including but not limited to the notion that it consists solely of members involved in Greek organizations at its highest levels. Although members of Greek organizations are disproportionately represented in SGA and in almost all organizations on campus it’s important to note that Senate Speaker Donovan Dawson, who is not Greek, competed in two Senate elections against other candidates who were Greek and he won both times. Additionally, this past election cycle saw O’Keefe’s intern Joshua Sixon, a relatively unknown candidate, come within 16 votes of winning the Honors College Senate race against four other candidates, one of whom is in a Greek organization. No one disputes that being Greek is a terrific asset in SGA elections, and as SGA insiders we know the value of such a thing, however that alone should not be seen as a silver bullet for election to office; Dawson, Sixon and others are proof that’s not the case. Regardless as to whether or not someone is Greek it should not deter them from seeking a position in SGA.
To the incoming administration, O’Keefe and Dawson stand united in the belief that there must be a time when campaigning ends and governing begins. We encourage the incoming administration to put the campaign behind them and be willing to work with those who supported other candidates because at the end of the day no matter which candidate they supported we are all committed to making FIU a better place. With this in mind, we are confident that the next administration can continue the work of the O’Keefe-Udhnani administration in “getting it done” for FIU.
Lastly, as far as advice to students that want to get involved in SGA we say get involved and get involved early. There is evidence that shows that on campus involvement is great for students as it builds an affinity for the university, it makes college more enjoyable, and it increases the likelihood that students will graduate on time. Whether through Greek life or through the hundreds of student organizations that FIU has to offer we encourage students to put themselves out there, meet people, stay focused, and to not be afraid to approach SGA leaders. All students should know that many of us were once not involved at all so we can definitely relate to them because at the end of the day although we may be student leaders we are still students above anything else.
As we look back on our involvement in the organization we are thankful to SGA, FIU, and to the student body as a whole for providing us with the experiences that have shaped our being and the memories we will carry for the rest of our days.

Patrick O’Keefe was president of the Student Government Council at Modesto Maidique Campus and Donovan Dawson was speaker of the senate for SGC-MMC. Both are graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

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