As spring semester begins, Delta State’s very own Student Government Association (SGA) is on the lookout for interested new members to complete their cabinet. This is the Delta State student guide to all things SGA.
What is SGA?
The Delta State Student Government Association functions among three different branches of government: executive, judicial, and legislative.
As stated on their website, SGA, “serves to promote unity and welfare of the entire student body, provide a high standard of responsibility in the interest of our student life and to ensure goodwill among students, faculty, staff and administration.”
SGA is another opportunity for students to have a voice in things they want to see change at Delta State. It also serves as a leadership opportunity and learning environment where students are actively engaged in the governing process.
2023-2024 Student Body President Haley Rooks states, “The Student Government Association represents all the current concerns with Delta State University’s student body.”
2023-2024 Attorney General Hayden Kirkland considers SGA the “backbone” of the school.
SGA works with Student Life to plan multiple campus events, including Homecoming Week, The Big Green Event, Miss DSU Pageant, Most Beautiful Pageant, Legislative Day and Springfest.
Another entity SGA is responsible for is promoting all things Delta State. The cabinet must post fliers, have media posts, and spread word orally. They do this for all sorts of affairs. Sports, campus events, Greek life, presentations, cultural activities and anything else that would promote Delta State in a positive light.
Rooks’ claims, “The Student Government Association is here to help make the Delta State experience better and have the best college experience for students.”
The Three Branches
The three branches are the executive, judicial, and legislative.
The first branch, and most widely recognized, is the executive branch. This would be your elected and appointed cabinets.
The elected cabinet consists of the president, vice president, attorney general, chief justice, and secretary/treasurer. These positions are campaigned for and elected by a school-wide vote in the spring.
The appointed cabinet includes the chief of staff, director of spirit and traditions, director of public relations, director of engagement and advocacy and international affairs, director of athletic affairs, and director of the Big Green Event. To get a position on the appointed cabinet, you must apply and have an interview with the newly elected president.
The second branch is the judicial branch. The judicial branch is most commonly going to be student court and the position of chief justice. This branch recognizes students’ appeals and will overturn or enforce them. This branch runs with six appointed court justices; they reach decisions on students parking tickets and deal with impeachment processes.
The third and final branch is the legislative branch. This is where bills are drafted up and voted on. This branch mostly deals with the Student Senate and the vice president, where they vote on issues around the campus such as dorm visitation and bettering the campus experience.
More on the three branches may be found on this website: https://www.deltastate.edu/student-life/sga/
Why Vote?
Many of the students that attend Delta State are not currently active in Delta State’s SGA, so why does it matter if they vote?
The middle ground between Delta State’s students and higher administration is the SGA cabinet. Rooks says, voting on these elected officials is the key to having your voice heard as a student.
Rooks’ states, “SGA represents the student body when it comes to higher administration, so we represent the students’ opinions. You should care who you’re electing because at the end of the day this is who higher administration at our university is hearing from. You should have people who will represent your opinion.”
Why Run?
There are a multitude of reasons why students should actively run for SGA.
Rooks indicated why she ran for president: “I wanted to give back to my fellow students and my university. Delta State has given me so many opportunities, and I want that same experience for others. I felt this was my way to give back what was given to me.”
Whether you have gratitude for Delta State or desire to get more leadership experience, the Delta State SGA is the perfect place.
Rooks also mentions that “the biggest thing is somebody that wants to serve because the idea of leadership is to give back to others.”
Some qualities that Rooks states Delta States SGA looks for is “leadership skills…time management,” and being “willing to work with others when you might not always have the same opinion.”
Another overwhelming reason to run for Delta State’s SGA is the scholarship money that is included. Throughout the three branches, there are many different scholarships you can acquire based on your position.
For more information, you can contact Delta State’s SGA through this website:
