SGA stays up past bedtime

Student Government introduces new policies

With a new school year beginning, the newly elected student body president and vice president, Caleb Johnson and Jared Cave, are looking to push the Student Government Association (SGA) to make lasting policy changes and revise some rules.

The recent revision of the curfew policy is the first of several changes to be enacted by the SGA in the upcoming months.

Johnson and Cave have already seen the administration change a policy based on legislation from SGA. Johnson said this new late-night sign-out policy is the biggest change currently on their radar.

Johnson clarified curfew itself has not changed, but students ages 20 and older may now sign out to go anywhere after hours if in agreement with the Liberty Way. Previously, students could only sign out to the computer lab or to university-approved late-night events. Students may stay out until 5 a.m. by signing the late-night sign-out sheet. If a student expects to be out later, they must fill out the overnight sign-out sheet.

Johnson emphasized that Liberty’s administration is giving students a trial period with the new policy. He and Cave encouraged students to act responsibly and not do anything against the Liberty Way.

“Students should act like adults because the university is giving them the opportunity to act like adults,” Cave said.

Cave said the resident assistants will be able to give students more information about late-night sign-outs in upcoming weeks.

Johnson and Cave also recently announced the start of a new event at Liberty. Campus clubs will gather for a “clubs bash” Saturday, Sept. 9, complete with cotton candy and popcorn. This event is designed to help students get connected with the multitude of clubs at Liberty and takes place from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Johnson and Cave both pointed out how important clubs are for freshmen and transfer students.

“I think it’s really important that new students get involved in clubs because that’s where they find their passions, friends and what they want to do in life,” Johnson said.

Johnson, a senior studying political science, got involved in student government his freshman year. Within his first two years in SGA, he helped pass a bill allowing freshmen to keep cars on campus. He also brought his friend, Cave into student government.

Cave is a junior studying business administration — digital marketing and advertising. He said he never intended to get involved with student government, but as current student body vice president, he has ideas he would like to enact in SGA.

Johnson and Cave are currently working on several things. Johnson mentioned that SGA is addressing requests for ice makers in the Commons and clearer guidelines for open dorms.

Johnson and Cave also have farther reaching plans for their time as the student body president and vice president. Johnson wants students to feel like SGA is there to advocate for them. He spoke of wanting students to be at home in the SGA office.

“This space isn’t just for us, it’s for them,” Johnson said.

Additionally, Cave wants to find a way to help students find a home church, for their time at Liberty.

“For freshman, it’s difficult to find a home church and it’s pretty important to get plugged in,” Cave said.

Cave also stated he wants to help improve the Liberty Today smartphone app, saying such a pioneering university deserves the best app.

To learn more about the Student Government Association and how to submit an idea for a bill, students can visit the student government page under the “Campus Life” tab on the school’s website.

 

BOWMAN is a news reporter.