LSU Student Government representatives attended a Southeastern Conference exchange at Mississippi State University this weekend where they listened to speakers, swapped ideas and met SG representatives from other SEC universities.
From LSU, SG members President J Hudson, Vice President Dani Borel, Chief of Staff Phoebe Hathorn, Speaker Pro Tempore Aaron Caffarel, Chief Justice Danielle Rushing, Assistant Director of Academics Thomas Rodgers and Sens. David Jones and Cody Wells attended the conference.
“My expectations were exceeded,” Jones said. “We exchanged ideas, stories, concerns and successes. I believe it’s going drive all of us to keep doing what we’re doing and drive all of us to a higher level.”
Many of the LSU representatives discovered an aspect of another SEC school’s student government that they would like to incorporate at the University.
Hudson would like to implement an idea from the University of South Carolina where SG members ask students during the first week of school what pushcard initiatives they would like to see enforced.
“It sets a precedent that you want to work with students,” Hudson said.
Hudson was also interested in ideas to better utilize Groovin’ on the Grounds funding and ways to raise SG presidents’ and vice presidents’ salaries for the amount of work they put forth.
Hathorn said she enjoyed networking and would like to explore a University of Alabama program where incoming freshmen are matched by their interests to organizations before they arrive at school.
“Knowing that there’s a place for you to fit in right before you get on campus — that’s a great learning initiative,” Hathorn said.
Caffarel was interested in the University of Kentucky’s equivalent to LSU’s Priority Points called “tally cats,” which are used at smaller sporting competitions and social events with incentives to earn them, like winning iPads. He was also impressed that Kentucky’s SG started a scholarship endowment.
Jones was inspired by the Mississippi Commissioner of Higher Education, who discussed with SG representatives how to fight budget cuts at their respective schools.
“He inspired me more than anyone,” Jones said. “I really felt he understood the rigor and challenge that we’re facing with higher education.”
Jones is also hopeful this exchange will inspire SG representatives to advocate LSU in the fight against budget cuts.
“It’s just a feeling that I believe in my heart and mind: We’re going to be OK,” he said. “We’re going to find the ways to make sure that the flagship is flying and flying high. We’re all working toward the same thing — to protect our universities to create a place where students want to make memories.”
LSU hosted the SG SEC exchange last year, and the University of Arkansas will host it next year.
 
 
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Contact Andrea Gallo at [email protected]