SGA passes end-of-year resolution

By Julien Fernandez Staff Writer President César Matos introduced an end-of-year commitment letter in a meeting on May 5. The letter was a resolution SGA passed as a public sentiment for what the student government is doing. Matos said he was a recipient of the Kathleen Comitsky Roberts award, which provided him with extra scholarship money. When looking more into her life story, he was inspired by her dedication to her community. He said Roberts was an educator in the state of Massachusetts and was very much devoted to the act of caring for the community and the act of service for the people in the Framingham State community. Matos said this letter was him looking back at his time in SGA and feeling like “SGA provided me that exact feeling. “I’m going to be able to impact the community in a way that is going to be positive, and I’m going to be really prominent in being that person that incentivizes other people to be better,” he added. Matos began the letter with the quote, “I believe you should give back to your community. It enriches your life as well as others.” He wrote that the student government's core values reflect the values of Roberts, and SGA “holds dear to act on giving back to our community and choosing to invest our time, energy, and care not only into each other, but also unto something larger than ourselves. Thus, we believe it of great importance to recognize that such a crucial responsibility does not rest solely upon the members of SGA, but rather upon all of us. “Every student who voted, joined a club, attended an event, or simply showed up to this community has contributed to making this University stronger, and in doing so, you have proven that giving back does not take away from your experience, but rather enriches the experience of everyone,” he said. Matos added, “As the year draws to an end, we are reaffirming our commitment to you, to ensure this community remains whole, resilient, and a home you can call your own. We strive to achieve this through representation with integrity, acting with transparency, and building a student government reflective of the needs of the students. “This letter means a whole lot to me. I know that I worked alongside the SARC [Student Affairs Review Committee] to have it passed, and I really do believe in everything we’ve done,” Matos said. A motion was made by Senator Nathan Piette “to approve the beautiful letter that was drafted by César Matos to be officially adopted by the Student Government Association.” The resolution passed 14-0. All current SGA members signed the end-of-year commitment letter. Publicist Taylor Royal announced a new tradition for SGA called the Senior Segment to honor the legacies of graduating students by presenting each of them with an award. Royal said, “Student government is built on commitment, passion, and the willingness to make a difference. Our graduating seniors have embodied those values throughout their time at Framingham State University, helping shape initiatives, strengthen our campus community, and leave a lasting impact that will continue beyond their graduation.” The graduating seniors presented with their awards were Matos, Royal, Events Coordinator Alix Ayoub, Luke Yubeta, Jamie Kuenzel, and Yisel Bedoya. Each senior was presented with their regalia by a member of SGA who will be their successor. Junior Shubham Valand was then sworn in as the new President of SGA by Matos. Before swearing him in, Matos said, “I wish I could say I had prepared a speech for tonight. I did not, but as unprepared as I am for this speech, it has felt exactly like that throughout the entirety of the SGA this year, I have to say. And even then, it ended up successful somehow.” During the open forum, Valand said he is working on finalizing the space for the Serenity Center. He added next semester, he plans for students to be able to rent hammocks at Larned Beach. Valand said SGA is going to implement a means for clubs to submit funding requests over the summer. Valand said the SCC has been changed to the SARC “finally - we are shocked.” During his report, Piette said, “The campus is a little bit safer and more secure. The police may have had a little to do with that, but we did a good job,” referencing his work on the Safety and Security Committee. Matos said, “One of my biggest points of pride was actually Nathan, and seeing him create the Volunteers of FSU, and getting to join that one event. It really warmed my heart. … I hope it grows, because it deserves to grow.” Senator Merlin Clive said, L.U.N.A. is currently looking for new eBoard members, and any students interested in serving should contact them. “I believe we are looking for a treasurer, an events coordinator, and a vice president.” Senator Cameron Rokes announced Volunteers of FSU are looking for new members to join. “We always will appreciate more people helping out.” Kuenzel announced a parliamentary senior workshop will be held next year. All nine members who were voted in for next year’s SGA were sworn in by Valand. Grant Alleyne was reappointed Parliamentarian for next year’s SGA by Valand. Four senators were sworn into SGA - Cameron Higbie, Kennedy Thompson, Anna Maxwell, and Al Capone Pujolls. Alix Ayoub announced eBoard member and senator of the week. “It’s actually going to be ‘of-the-year,’ because I decided that and it’s fine.” The senator of the year was awarded to Piette and the eBoard member of the year was awarded to Royal.