SGA Kicks Off the Semester with Key Discussion on Student Concerns and Campus Initiatives

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The first GBM of the semester took place on Thursday, September 19th, from 5:15 to 6:15 PM, led by SGA board members President Kimberly Lugo, Vice President Shaan Mody, Secretary Jenna Ahmed, and Treasurer Jessica Toft. The meeting featured a raffle with prizes of an iPad, AirPods, and an Apple Watch. Clubs were also encouraged to boost funding with a $100 prize and reminded that attending 9 out of 11 SGA meetings makes them eligible for $150 in their revenue accounts.

Chancellor Antonio Tillis opened the meeting by asking, “What does it mean to be a chancellor?”, comparing his role to that of a ship’s captain and emphasizing the collaborative nature of university leadership, with vice-chancellors in areas like Academic Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Tillis also highlighted his responsibilities to create scholarships and shared his experience as a first-generation student. He stressed the importance of student engagement with SGA, noting its reliance on active participation, and encouraged students to think in five-year increments. He announced an additional $10,000 for SGA’s budget to support student organizations, stating, “now you have the opportunity to not wish, but to do.”

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SGA had the opportunity to pose direct questions to Chancellor Tillis, addressing a variety of pressing issues that have been on the minds of the student body. The first question, posed by Senator Joseph Lescht, referenced significant changes made in the Division of Student Academic Success and Student Affairs over the summer, which included layoffs and realignments that, according to the SGA, have impacted student life.

“Could you please share a little bit more information on the determination of these changes, of these reorganizations, what their purpose was, and if and when the Rutgers Camden community can expect some documentation?” Lescht asked.

Chancellor Tillis explained that the personnel changes aimed to maximize efficiency, not reduce student services, acknowledging that duplication had caused financial strain. He noted that Senior Vice Chancellor Jimmy John would return to provide more details on the restructuring.

Moving on to financial concerns, SGA Treasurer Jessica Toft raised an important follow-up question about the recent tuition increase. Over the summer, students saw a rise in both tuition and dining fees, with an 11% increase in dining costs being especially notable.

“I was just wondering where our tuition increases are going, and going forward, I would appreciate more transparency regarding decisions to increase costs on campus and how it will affect things and improve their experience,” Toft said.

Chancellor Tillis explained that the tuition and dining fee increases were decisions made by the Board of Governors, with input from leadership. He acknowledged the burden on students but noted that financial aid, including increased Pell Grants, was adjusted to help ease the impact.

The discussion then shifted to commuter students, with SGA Secretary Jenna Ahmed highlighting the challenges faced by Rutgers-Camden’s large commuter population. On noted that despite over 87% of students being commuters, fewer than 9% had purchased parking permits. Instead, most students chose to use parking meters or avoid parking fees altogether.

“I would like to formally invite all administrators to immerse themselves in the average Rutgers Camden commuter student experience by parking at lot 16 and either walk to campus or take the shuttle service,” Ahmed stated.

Chancellor Tillis acknowledged the suggestion and sought clarification on the core issues, asking if the problem was the long walk, lack of shuttles, or something else. A student from the crowd responded, saying it was “long, expensive, and unnecessary.” The Chancellor repeated the points and asked for more clarification on why it was considered unnecessary.

Before the student could continue, the President kindly apologized and reassured everyone that these concerns would be addressed during an upcoming open forum where students could fully express their views. Due to the formal nature of the meeting and the need to maintain decorum, it seems like comments from the crowd couldn’t be allowed at the moment. However, the meeting concluded without holding an open forum. The next day, President Lugo issued an apology, taking responsibility for the oversight and emphasizing the importance of discussing tuition, commuter issues, and other changes. She reassured students that all voices will be heard. An E-board member later clarified that the meeting was fast-paced and stressful, with no intent to silence anyone.

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Throughout the meeting, the QR code for the Student Concern Form was projected and remains accessible via SGA’s Engage page. Additionally, the SGA maintains an open-door policy in the Leaders Lounge, though access is limited, as students must notify SGA members beforehand. The SGA is actively involved in various advisory boards, including the Campus Advisory Board, Pre-Med Committee, Centennial Committee, and Executive Board. They are also coordinating a meeting with the provost and deans to address student concerns. On October 22nd, they will launch their academic plan.

Looking ahead, on October 22nd, from 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM, SGA will host a town hall where they will launch their academic plan for the year. The event will feature speeches from an administrator and student leaders and an open forum for students to express their concerns.

To wrap up the meeting, Brandon QUines announced that RUC Homecoming will return on October 3rd. They also reminded clubs and organizations that they must attend 9 out of 11 SGA meetings to be eligible for $150 to be added to their revenue accounts.

The SGA continues to demonstrate its commitment to addressing student concerns and fostering a more connected campus community. Be sure to stay tuned for future editions, where we’ll provide updates on upcoming initiatives and events, including the much-anticipated town hall and academic plan launch.