As the Sinclair campus continues to grow, students and faculty are advocating for change that promotes engagement within the community. The Sinclair Student Senate is a multi-branch system that allows students to have a voice on campus. As a new program, it is an exciting way to get involved.
The Student Senate is open to any degree seeking students who have completed at least 6 credit hours and are currently enrolled in 6 credit hours during the current semester. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and be in good academic standing at Sinclair. Being a part of the Student Senate allows you to represent the college on many levels.
Elected Executive Board members will receive a scholarship of $750 dollars for each term they serve. There will be roughly 15 spots available, including four Executive Board members. The goal is to have a deep membership that accurately represents the diverse campus at Sinclair.
There will be roughly six career community members, four regional center members, as well as representatives from the college credit plus program, and college of lifelong learning students.
The Student Senate is an amazing opportunity for students to build leadership skills. Being a new program, the goals of the senate are still up in the air. At this point it is a program that is completely open to new ideas and support from all students. This makes it really easy to get involved.
There are a few initiatives that have really gained the attention of the student body. There is a big push right now for solving hunger problems on campus. There are many programs including the Dietetics and Nutrition Club, as well as Sinclair Ohio Fellows that are trying to spread the word and provide services for students who are hungry. This is a major initiative that the Student Senate would try to get involved in.
While the Student Senate does not directly make decisions for Sinclair, it does provide recommendations from the student perspective. It is the direct voice of the student body on campus.
The main goal of the program is to try to improve the student experience. Graduate assistant and advisor for the Student Senate A.J. Owen said, “We want students to be able to come here and have the best experience of their lives.”
The senate is a liaison for the college that wants to foster an environment that allows students to grow and have fun doing it. Whether it be personally, socially, academically, or spiritually, allowing students to become a better person when they leave Sinclair is important.
Providing the resources considered essential to a student’s success is what the Student Senate will try to do. For students who want to help other students, the senate is an amazing opportunity to represent the student body.
Building the Student Senate from the ground up is an amazing opportunity. As a new organization on campus, the Student Senate is one of the most exciting things to happen in recent years. It is an amazing way for students to promote their ideas on campus. It is a way to get involved, and a terrific way to grow as an individual.
For someone who is new to campus, or is an older student who feels like they have ideas to share, this could be the opportunity you’re looking for.
Matt Harlan
Reporter