Final Field Project: SGA Inclusivity

Hey guys!

So I had a meeting with the Sisterhood Affinity group today. The group had representatives from each class year present at the meeting. Here are their thoughts…

First, I had them write down their initial thoughts on SGA. Here are some responses:

    “SGA is a relatively small group of students that are elected by a relatively small part of the student body. SGA addresses issues that these students feel are important.”

    “I think SGA is put in a difficult position on campus and people don’t participate enough.”

    “I think the idea of SGA is nice, but its not very effective if you don’t hold a position or aren’t heavily involved. Particularly for clubs/groups, aside from providing funding, they’re very off-putting.”

    “SGA picks who they want to help and excludes who they don’t want.”

    “Needs more representation of minorities.”

    “The way I feel about SGA in relation to Sisterhood is the same way Kanye felt about George Bush.”

    “SGA seems distant to me, mainly because I don’t attend any meetings, but also in relation to how they seem to treat Sisterhood.”

    “Not enough information given upon entering Bryn Mawr.”

    “SGA- not truly representative; a source of power for some people.”

    “SGA has like no power. They also aren’t equal in funding (by group)”

    “Be more sensitive about budgeting needs.”

    SGA makes it difficult for Sisterhood to get funding because there is a misunderstanding of what an open v. closed group is.”

Below are the questions asked, and the responses of various students (all black students):

Do you feel SGA acknowledges difference between people and do they unite in this difference?

Do you feel like SGA acknowledges the people of color & do they unite to make sure people of color feel included in SGA?

• No SGA is extremely white this year.
• Groups are thought of as clubs. i.e. Sister Circle (SGA only gave 100$ for this because it sounded to them like it was just for Sisterhood and not the greater Bryn Mawr Community.)
• Representative council isn’t truly a representative of the whole school. Many voices are not heard. Same people get elected. Same people vote on things. White and Asian groups represented, not blacks. (which plays a role in unequal funding)
• Black students don’t run for things b/c they don’t feel represented in SGA. They are willing to run though.
• We do not get funded equally with other groups. Representatives who are on the SGA board. (SAW and ASA) budgeting inequalities. Don’t fix systematic problems like budgeting. SGA, in a way, separates the people of color, having them fight each other for funding. Not equal.

What does it mean to participate in SGA?

• Plenary (vote on decisions)
• SGA meetings (listening to other people make decisions, watch other people vote on things. (Whom are the SGA representatives talking to in order to make these votes? Are they representing the whole Bryn Mawr community? They certainly are not incorporating the voices of Sisterhood.)
• Language written in ways you have to be immersed in the Constitution. Don’t really understand. Not a lot of reiteration or transparency or inclusion for everyone who attend the meetings.
• Only reason we are a part of SGA is because we are paying dues. Otherwise, it excludes the community.
• Running for positions

Who do you think doesn’t participate in SGA and why not?

• SGA is a popularity contest? Its about who knows the most people? Not about who is going to represent everyone. Stopped people from running because you have to know a lot of people to get your message out.
• What does SGA actually do?
• SGA Makes decisions concerning funding, but these decisions do not go to plenary for everyone to have a voice. These “little” decisions greatly affect groups like Sisterhood!
•  Everyone doesn’t have a voice. (Don’t represent everyone)
• No merits. Doesn’t make sense. Think on behalf of themselves.

Is there enough transparency in SGA? Do you feel like you are “in the know” about SGA? Do you know what’s going on with SGA? Do you know the point of it?

• Doesn’t know much about SGA. Don’t do enough to promote what they do. As a Freshman, you hear a lot about SGA but not really included.
• It’s a scapegoat; falculty makes us go through SGA to things done, but things do not get done. I.e. BMC creates committees. Perry House committee. No action after the voice. (“Don’t blame SGA, there’s little committees under it.”)
• What are April appointments? I get there’s a board, but what do they do?
• Condense minutes into main points. Students are not going to read a whole conversation. Get to the point. What was done, what will get done?
•  Plenary is for little problems (We vote for gender specific words, but what about issues that like changing in funding. We want a voice too!)

How can we make SGA more inclusive to people of diverse backgrounds (eg. Sisterhood, BaCaSo, International Students)? How do we make this space a safe space for people to express their opinions?

• Accessibility. Jargon not clear to everyone. Familiarity with language.
• Equal funding amongst groups
• Making it known what April elections are
• Don’t know what we are voting for
• Customs week, it should be booklet telling freshman what SGA is
• Everyone should know about candidate’s forum. More outreach please!
• Make effort to show up to events or meetings and talk to people in affinity groups to hear their problems. There may be many commonalities amongst affinity groups. See how you can incorporate their voices in things that SGA votes on. After all, SGA should be perceptive to who actually comes to SGA meetings. (not many people of color)
• Needs to be something other than emails… flyers all over. Make events more visible.

Common themes:

Budgeting

Not diverse

Popularity contest

If you have any questions on anything, just ask. I can further explain the notes that I gathered from this intense conversation!!