Get to know the FIU Student Government Association

Alhi Leconte/Contributing Writer

Student Government Association is one of the most influential parts of an FIU student’s college experience. Although it works on behalf of all Panthers, many may not know about SGA, what it does or what it offers students. SGA works to acknowledge student’s needs, concerns to administration and serves their interests.

Established in 1973, FIU’s Student Government Association represents students and act with them on academic, extracurricular, and social issues.

Courtesy of SGA MMC

FIU SGA’s website, sga.fiu.edu, states that the organization is separated into two councils. SGC-MMC represents students at the Modesto A. Madique Campus and the Engineering Center. SGC-BBC represents students at the Biscayne Bay Campus and FIU at I-75. SGA works similar to the system of checks and balances. It is split into Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

The Student Government Association provides the official voice and action on behalf of the student body. It assures that student’s concerns are addressed in governance and policy development of FIU at all levels. SGA assesses and forms student programs and services. It also advocates for the advancement of educational standards, facilities and services, according to sga.fiu.edu.

A way SGA benefits student’s academics is by bringing their scholastic concerns to the Deans of each college.

“We, as student government, talk to the deans to ensure that SLS courses, whether they’re UCC requirements or major courses, benefit the students themselves,” said SGA MMC Interim Vice President, Jose Sirven.

This also warrants that freshmen absorb knowledge in courses meant to help them acclimate to university regardless of it being a requirement.

SGA funds student clubs and organizations, programs various events and provides important services and resources for students. One of SGA’s biggest benefits, established in 2014, is funding nine student scholarships.

SGA has found that freshmen’s biggest concern is about campus involvement.

“We’re working with a lot of different parts of the university to ensure that students know what resources they have,” said SGA MMC President Krista Schmidt.

Schmidt also stated that SGA would like to be a centralized place for information on events and resources that help students.

This term SGA has created a new committee to help integrate freshmen Panthers to FIU.

“The purpose of this committee is just to get the class united, unified, and excited for FIU,” Schmidt said.

As new students to this campus, freshmen have the opportunity to take full advantage of all the opportunities Student Government Association offers to make the most of their college career.