By Emily Lohec | Staff Writer
Members of student government serve as the voice of Baylor students when it comes to constructing and setting student legislative bills, as well as with facing issues on campus.
Springfield, Mo., junior Katie Groves has been involved in student government since her freshman year and has had positive experiences throughout each term.
“Through student government, I’ve met some of the most servant-hearted people on Baylor’s campus,” Groves said. “Each person involved in student government that I’ve had the opportunity of knowing has left a lasting impact on me and on many others in our community.”
Student government gives members a chance to propose bills that relate to what students want to see improved within the university. Groves understands how students may feel as though their issues are not heard, but with the help of student government, hopes these challenges will be brought forth and further proposed for improvement.
Groves describes the range of bills to typically fall into one of four categories: Senate allocations, Senate improvements, Senate resolutions and Senate enactments.
“I’ve written multiple Senate support bills— some expressing condolences to families of students who’ve passed away and some expressing support to members of the Baylor community for making great academic, athletic or social strides in various fields,” Groves said.
Students involved in Student Senate work with one another to further the production of proposed bills. Groves explained how bills take time, dedication and above all, asking the right questions to faculty, professors and deans.
“Maggi McClanahan, a senior senator, came to me with the idea of researching and writing a ‘pink bill’ and I was so on board,” Groves said. “We want to find a way to introduce free feminine hygiene products on campus.”
Groves and McClanahan find that as they dive deeper into the issue, background knowledge and understanding the root behind the problem aid in the process of creating and ultimately establishing the right kind of bill.
San Jose, Calif., senior Alan Bond has been involved in student government for three years and is excited to have accomplished his goal of holding the role of external vice president this upcoming term.
“I knew I wanted to run for EVP since my freshman year. This organization has given me one of the best experiences out of anything I have participated in yet,” Bond said.
Bond is determined to improve Baylor through student government by setting the group as an example of putting plans into action.
“The most rewarding part about making a major idea or project into reality is that I am able to see the happiness that others have because of the work I have put in,” Bond said.
As students gain experience, they can work their way up to holding a leadership role in student government. These roles also include reaching out to the Waco community.
“I work on connecting Waco and Baylor to create a more connected community. I do this through contacting Baylor administration, Waco officials, and Waco businesses to connect students to their locality,” Bond said.
Bond sees his job as a platform to positively benefit Waco and create awareness about all it has to offer residents.
“I am working on a few big projects as EVP. I already have a monthly update scheduled for all organizations to receive that outlines all there is to do in Waco,” Bond said.
Bond sees and understands the disconnect some college students feel when it comes to getting involved in Waco and its attractions.
“I loathe when I hear people say, ‘There is nothing to do in Waco’ because there is actually a whole lot,” Bond said.
Bond has scheduled several upcoming events for students to experience all there is to do in Waco, including Find Your Waco.
“I plan to be that stepping stone by making Waco one of the best cities and making Baylor one of the best universities,” Bond said.
