Its communication campaign – The Suffolk Journal
Junior Tara Maltese is currently the secretary of the Suffolk University Student Government Association, and is now running unopposed for vice president in this IGS election.
The Maltese, a major in political science with a focus on public policy, joined SGA as a senator for her first year 2023 class. Prior to serving as secretary, Maltese was the public relations co-chair of the SGA.
“SGA has always been something I’m really, really passionate about,” said Malti. “I think it was a really amazing experience and I’m sure I learned a lot, but I’m willing to take on something new.”
She is the chair of public relations and academic excellence for the Theta Phi Alpha chapter of Suffolk and is also a member of the Travel Program.
During her time as secretary, Maltese helped to fully automate the minutes process “to create better and clearer transcripts” of IGS meetings. It has also organized events such as “Sundae with your senator“To foster communication and connection between SGA and students, and is currently in the process of redesigning the SGA website” to increase accessibility and ease of access. . [SGA] documents, ”she said.
If elected as vice-president, Malta said she hopes to improve communication between the SGA and the student body. It aims to increase recruitment, student participation and make IGS public relations more accessible to students, she said.
“I want everyone to feel comfortable entering our meetings, and I want our relationship with the student body to be a little better. I think a lot of people are currently confused about what SGA does and what it means to be in SGA, ”said Maltese.
The Maltese believe that hosting IGS information sessions will be an effective way to inform new and old students about the mission and operation of the IGS. For Maltese, accessibility and connection with students is everything.
“As vice-president… something I want to focus on is to make sure that the documents and how we conduct our meetings are accessible, that the information is given freely to everyone and that the students really understand what is here to do, what we are doing, and to feel comfortable coming to us with issues of concern on campus, ”said Maltese.
When it comes to diversity, the Maltese believe that the SGA can strive to improve its representation of the student body to reflect the needs of all students, regardless of their background.
“Ensuring that our senate is representative of our student body is extremely important, and that is part of the reason why I feel so strongly about stepping up our recruitment efforts,” said Maltese.
The Maltese strive to nurture the community both within the SGA and in Suffolk, and want to encourage students to consider the SGA as a “safe space” to express concern to senators.
“I feel that certain areas of the student body are not getting as much coverage as they should and we are not reaching the way we always can be. More can always be done in terms of diversity and accessibility, ”said Maltese.
Asked about her beliefs about the 2019 IGS recommendation to equip the Suffolk University Police Department, and whether the debate should be reinstated, the Maltese said it would go through -students.
“It simply came to our notice then [the discussion of arming SUPD] they even had to come out again, it has to reflect how the students are feeling now, and if this is something that the students even want to see, ”said the Maltese. “I personally do not believe that my thoughts have anything to do with it, it must be all [students]. ”
However, the Maltese noted that if the IGS were to reopen the debate, more research and student input would be needed before any final decision could be taken.
“It simply came to our notice then [the research and student input]we are basically acting on the opinion, and I don’t think this is fair to the student body, ”said Maltese.
The Maltese said that the university’s current policy on COVID-19 is effective and works “quite well” for the student body, but added that administrators should continue to heed the advice of the Control Center. of Disease and respond accordingly.
“We have reached a good point where people are becoming more comfortable with testing and are reducing the restrictions on our weekly testing,” said Malti. “In the coming months, I expect, from what we have seen and what the CDC has said, that some of our guidelines will change and change. I think as long as we’re following what the CDC is suggesting, then our protocol is as good as it gets. “
As the Suffolk community continues to persevere through a pandemic, the Maltese stressed that the university’s actions should reflect the positivity rate of the student group for COVID-19, as well as guidance. by health professionals. She noted that if cases were to increase in Suffolk, she would encourage the reintroduction of mandatory weekly testing.
The Maltese said that they are looking forward to the future of the SGA, although she added that the organization is losing many prominent senior members for graduation. However, she said this is a chance to inform and educate a “new wave of students” about SGA’s mission and goals.
“Communicating with students is something we can improve on, especially since a lot of people come from different backgrounds and this is the first year. [since the beginning of the pandemic] that we are personally, ”said Maltese. “[SGA] it has to be that support system, and we have to be that voice. ”
Maltese stressed that she is not afraid of change and that if she is elected, she will foster a welcoming and accessible environment within SGA.
“I think by making everything a little more accessible, a little more understandable and sometimes less formal, [SGA] they can be more approachable in general and we can be open to more areas on campus, ”said Malti.