Miami University's Associated Student Government Wants To Connect Miamians

BY ANNA QUENNEVILLE
Miami University journalism student

It is time for the Miami community to unite.

Miami University’s Associated Student Government has already made progress on issues it considers most concerning on campus. Now ASG leaders are directing their efforts toward making Miami a place where everyone feels as if they belong.

Student Body President Maggie Callaghan and Vice President Lucas Elfreich want to ensure that the student body is heard. Aside from dining issues, students have most often cited the lack of a sense of belonging as their biggest problem.

“I think there’s this image that students think they have to fit to be happy, to be successful at Miami,” said Callaghan.

To address that, ASG is taking steps toward bringing a sense of connectedness to the Miami community. One way they are trying to establish this is through athletics. Last week, student government hosted a football tailgate where several organizations and students participated.

“Just getting people to talk to each other and interact and hang out with each other -- that goes so much further than any programming or forum that we do,” said Elfreich.

ASG is also focused on improving uptown development, in order to create a more socially diverse area. Currently, officers are working to get the ball rolling on reopening a movie theater in the old Princess theater building on Beech Street. As a next step, they are working to set up a tour of the building with Miami President Greg Crawford.

Another priority: language translations on maps, menus, signs and other areas where they might be helpful. This year they are getting a director in ASG for international students in order to increase their representation and enable them to feel just as connected to Miami as every other student.

“No matter where you come from, no matter who you are, no matter what you believe, you are welcomed here. There is no equation that is going to make you happy here,” said Callaghan.

On Wednesday, ASG will host a State of the School Address at 6 p.m. in the Wilks Theater in the Armstrong Student Center. Student government and President Crawford will discuss their key priorities to keep the student body informed of their progress.

“I don’t think we’ll ever be completely satisfied with all of our goals, but we are definitely chipping away at them,” said Elfreich.

Photo: ASG President Maggie Callaghan and Vice President Lucas Elfreich will discuss their goals at a Wednesday forum. -- Photo contributed by Maggie Callaghan