WE ARE HERE TO REPRESENT YOU
Our Mission
Our Platforms
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
-
Work closely with the Maryland government on higher education in order to foster positive higher education policy
-
Introduce FAFSA workshops, reaffirming our support for Higher Education Act
-
Advocate and work toward more classes with open resource textbooks
-
Adapt DVUP courses to focus on underrepresented communities
-
Collaborate with the Association of Big Ten Students to lead the push for large scale higher education reforms across the nation
Read the full plan here.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
-
Work with the University and City to make campus more accessible
-
Creation of Undocumented Student Liaison within SGA
-
Better support pregnant and parenting students, veterans, and our non-traditional undergraduate body
-
Partner with GRE, LSAT, and MCAT services to give students affordable studying solutions for post-grad opportunities
-
Expand availability of Terrapin Express use to a wider variety of stores on campus and along Route 1
Read the full plan here.
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
-
Ensure discretionary guidelines line up with application process
-
Hold mock application process trainings in front of student groups
-
Hold finance office hours in Nyumburu and Hillel
-
Improve website to ensure information is easier to get beyond office hours
-
Collaborate with Student Groups committee to enhance student group relationships and communications
Read the full plan here.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
-
Student run climate survey on race-related sentiment on campus
-
Engage and partner with the First Generation Low Income Consortium
-
Enable students to work with local secondary schools to ensure a pipeline of representation within UMD
-
Reduce the funding gap for culturally-centered student groups
-
Creation of task forces to focus on specific populations on campus
Read the full plan here.
SUSTAINABILITY
-
Adopt university-wide LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building standards
-
Implement an online Green Terps and sustainable behaviors course for incoming students
-
Promote sustainable forms of transportation such as walking, biking, transit, and carpooling
-
Advertise and expand recycling and compost practices
HEALTH & WELLNESS
-
Fully-funded mental health first aid trainings for RAs and Student Leaders
-
Expand teletherapy opportunity for students
-
Champion student group initiatives rather than overtake them
-
Expand educational efforts while partnering with Health Center and Counseling Center
-
Collaborate with Health and Wellness-related student groups to promote wellness and disease prevention strategies
Read the full plan here.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
-
Implement voter education in freshman introductory courses (HONR100, UNIV100, etc.)
-
Create easier ways for students to send in absentee ballots
-
Partner with RHA for GOTV efforts with TerpsVote
-
Collaborate with University partners for Summer Census push
-
Allow for students to receive a Civic Duty excuse from class once per semester
-
Partner with different organizations dedicated to promoting civic engagement among minority groups
Read the full plan here.
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
-
Advocate for increased funding from the State for mental health resources on campus
-
Paid sick leave for student workers
-
Ensure student dependents are included in future pandemic-related stimulus packages
-
Continued push for effective HEA-related policies such as FAFSA simplification
-
Increased funding for open resource textbook classes at Maryland institutions
Read the full plan here.
CITY AFFAIRS
-
Expand community-based relationships
-
Establish a City-SGA-Landlord working group
-
Neighbors Meeting Neighbors initiative
-
Ensure student representation on City committees
-
Bring local leaders to campus
Read full plan here.
STUDENT GROUPS
-
Be partners for student groups as they go through the funding and recognition process
-
Host student group events to help foster an environment that encourages coalition building
-
Meet student groups where they are, rather than waiting for them to come to our office
-
Humanize SGA to be more approachable for student group leaders who have issues, complaints, or qualms
-
Leaders to Leaders event to encourage student leaders to meet each other and network for future professional development
Read full plan here.
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
PREVENTION
-
Enhance Red Zone prevention and educational campaigns
-
Remove NCAA loopholes allowing for athletes to easily transfer while under investigation for sexual misconduct
-
Improve Title IX efficiency and pursue more effective and respectful efforts in addressing student concerns
-
Ensure student organizations are informed about how to take measures to prevent sexual misconduct & support survivors at their events
-
Advocate for relevant legislation to ensure more equitable Title IX regulations
Read full plan here.
DATA ANALYTICS
-
Create a Data Analytics task force
-
Make 'What to Fix UMD' a consistent channel for addressing student concerns
-
Provide incentives for students to participate in campus studies using Terrapin Express
-
Train legislators to be effective canvassers
-
Connect students to more study spaces and streamline room reservations
Read full plan here.
COMMUNICATION &
OUTREACH
-
Rebrand SGA to make information more accessible and easy to navigate online
-
Connect students to campus resources by making SGA more visible on campus
-
Advocating transparency between the administration and students to rebuild trust
-
Form coalitions with other schools across the country to share best practices
-
Host informal town halls and prioritize reaching out to marginalized communities
Read full plan here.
PROTECTING DREAMERS
-
Educate the campus community on the challenges of undocumented students
-
Create a scholarship for undocumented students
-
Connect undocumented students with campus mental health care resources
-
Prepare local police and administration
-
Track local, state, and federal policy changes
-
Create an undocumented student liaison position within the SGA
Read full plan here.