SGB goes green for mental health awareness

At yesterday’s weekly public meeting, the entire Student Government Board wore green shirts that said “I care … let’s talk” in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. President Maggie Kennedy said student leaders on campus will wear the shirts every Tuesday in October.

“Lots of people on campus are going to be wearing these as a symbol to let people know that we care,” Kennedy said. “We really are here for students.”

Board member Zechariah Brown and Chair of the Wellness Committee Eric Macadangdang led the initiative — and SGB curated an October calendar that addresses issues of mental health on campus.

Macadangdang highlighted a few of the events, including a “Let’s Talk” panel Oct. 16, where experts from the Wellness Center will focus on mental health stigma and mental health in marginalized communities. Another event Oct. 19 on the Cathedral Lawn called “Remembering the 1,100” will commemorate the 1,100 college students lost to suicide each year on average. He directed students toward SGB’s Facebook page for the complete calendar of events.

“We’re extremely excited to share some great events for students so [they] can have a safe space to have conversations about mental health and discuss great ways to promote self-care,” Macadangdang said.

During her remarks, Kennedy reflected on last Thursday’s Town Hall, the first of a new type of meeting intended to allow students to voice their concerns on campus issues. Thursday’s meeting was focused on facilities feedback and Jim Earle, associate vice chancellor for business and auxiliary services, attended the meeting along with Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kenyon Bonner.

Caroline Unger, chair of the facilities, technology and transportation committee, thanked everyone who attended the Town Hall.

“It was great to hear some more of what people are looking to improve on the facilities ends of things,” Unger said. “We’re working as a committee with various departments to discuss how we can act on those requests.”

Kennedy, who called the meeting “really successful,” said SGB is already beginning to plan its next Town Hall, which she said will likely occur in November and may focus on University policy.

Several SGB members also updated the community about their positions as representatives on Board of Trustees committees, many of which met in the last week. Board member Pooja Humar said she found her first meeting with the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee productive.

“It was a good opportunity to hear from some of the different deans and to hear about some of the initiatives we’re working on as a University,” Humar said of the Board of Trustees meeting she attended.

Executive Vice President Jahari Mercer sits on the Board of Trustees Committee for Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion and said he was looking forward to working with the committee in the future.

“I want to work with the committee to find out how we can share things with the student body,” Mercer said. “There are a lot of great things the University is doing that students should be able to know about.”

SGB raffled off three sideline passes for this Saturday’s homecoming game against Syracuse at the end of the meeting. Kennedy said SGB adviser Steve Anderson offered the board the tickets earlier in the day.

Junior Devin Dikec, a bioinformatics major, said he was excited to have won the passes for himself and two friends.

“Homecoming is going to be a great time,” Dikec said. “Hope we pull off the win.”

Allocations:

The Coalition of Pre-Health Students requested $2,275 to attend a conference. The board approved $2,000 and denied $275.

Women in Business requested $1,610 to attend a conference. The board approved $1,572 and denied $38 due to a rounding error.