executive cabinet – Houghton STAR

By Jax Johnson

It is with great pleasure that the Houghton STAR presents some unfortunate news. At 9 p.m. tonight in the John and Charles Wesley Chapel, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) will host the Wheel of Unfortune, where teams of up to five people will compete in a Wheel of Fortune style competition for a chance to win a prize.

This event will be based on the popular game show, “Wheel of Fortune.” In the TV show, “Wheel of Fortune,”contestants spin a wheel with various amounts of money listed and, after spinning the wheel, are allowed to guess a consonant with the goal to complete the word puzzle on the board.

Hannah Tyer, who is running Houghton’s own version of Wheel of Fortune, describes how teams will compete in a series of challenges to get ahead and win prizes.

“It will run similar to Wheel of Fortune (the game show on TV),” Tyer said “The big differences are that it is team run (instead of playing individually) and instead of buying letters with money, they will have to perform tasks (like a certain amount of push-ups, eating spicy foods, etc.) in order to buy vowels similar to the show.”

Tyer also expressed her excitement for this event, saying, “My favorite part of the event are the prize baskets for the winning top three teams to pick from.” As to what those prizes are, only she knows— students will have to show up to find out.

Director of Student Engagement Jana Newberry, also describes the event saying, “Participants can sign up as a team to compete for some unique high stake’s prizes. It should be a great event that any student can enjoy.”

Whether students love “Wheel of Fortune” or just want something to do tonight, they can show up to the chapel at nine and see who will win Wheel of Unfortune. ★

The role of Student Government at Houghton may sometimes seem unclear. What do we do? What is our purpose on campus? How does Student Government impact you?

These are questions that I have been in the process of asking at the beginning of this year, and the end of last year.

Photo Taken by Anthony Burdo

There is some history behind these questions. In the past few years Houghton SGA has been through a period of transition. Four years ago, Houghton Student Government was in a senate format, with many representatives from dorms, classes, and clubs. The first year I started serving on SGA the system had been adjusted to a cabinet system (with an Executive Cabinet overseeing all SGA activity, responsibility, and the class cabinet system).

These changes were well thought out. Yet, adjusting from one system to another has been a process of adjustments, and questioning the identity and role of SGA on campus. There have been a few years of low participation and tough questions about SGA’s purpose and function.

Finally, I think that SGA is poised to realize it’s potential in the cabinet system. Every class has a full or nearly full cabinet. The Executive Cabinet is full, and the freshman elections have been brimming with enthusiasm, participation, and leadership qualities.

It has taken a few years for this system to run smoothly. joanna-quote And now SGA is at the point to ask, what is the role of SGA on Houghton’s campus? We’ve mastered the basic duties of our members, although there is always improvements to make. These duties include: overseeing clubs, providing committee representation, cultivating spiritual life initiatives, representing the student body, and putting on SGA specific events.

Yet defining SGA as what we do has the danger of falling into a list of items to accomplish. So SGA’s purpose and existence must be defined above what we do.

SGA’s role on campus is to serve the student body. This is what I am seeking to embrace with my second term as president of the SGA. This is what SGA is seeking to embrace. We want to serve you, the students, in a number of ways. We want to be a source of information through the speakers we bring into our weekly meetings, and the events that we host. We want to give you the resources to form clubs. We want to look for ways for you to share your unique concerns on campus (through a committee, serving on a class cabinet, joining a club, etc.) And we want a relationship with the student body. Come into our office, start conversations, do homework on our couches. Tell us about your experiences as a student, your good ideas for the campus, or your suggestions for us. Give us feedback, let us know how we can be more effective in our governmental ministry to you. And at the very least, let us feed you donuts.