As the new semester rolls in, student government is preparing for their last few months in office. Student government president Clay Tufts, has plans for this semester that include the upcoming budget deficit crisis.
“This semester we have a unique challenge really no other student government administration has faced and we’re going to be on the front lines dealing with the ongoing budget deficit crisis,” Tufts said.
 Tufts says he has been thrust into conversations about it and he’s trying to see how this deficit is going to impact the student body. 
 “I’ll be acting in an advocacy role for the students and making sure that LSU students and LSU, in general, has the least impact of the budget deficit,”Tufts said.
 Beside the deficit, Student Government is also in charge of a very popular event on campus, Groovin’ on the Grounds.
The Next Step Ticket has been in office since April of last year. It’s already accomplished some of its goals with the “Everybody Tent” that provided food and water for the homecoming game. But its proudest accomplishment was the senatorial debate held here on campus.
“Being on the panel for the debate that was a really cool experience, ” Tufts said. “And being able to set up that whole process and really being able to ask the candidates questions about how they would address LSU and LSU student needs when they were in office.”
The debate was widely viewed across the state and it was great exposure for LSU and its student government. 
“What we’re most proud of is really being able to engage the student body we have now and be able to be in a position where we’re able to help them and provide them services to make their college lives as easy as it can be,” Tufts said.