Tag: sga

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Campus News

SGA to be Replaced With SEC

The new logo for the SEC, a variation of the familiar SGA symbol. Courtesy of AC Taylor

By Josiah Wiedenheft (’22)

On Wednesday, March 10, the Student Government Association passed a motion that confirmed the end of SGA as we currently know it, with something new to take its place: the SEC. Known fully as the “Student Experience Committee,” this organization aims to preserve the purpose of SGA, while refining its structure and clarifying its responsibilities. Director of Student Engagement AC Taylor explains this revised body as a group of students “[who] represent various student experiences and student groups and [do] so by representing student needs and concerns to the institution directly,” and in the words of the organization’s own constitution: “The Student Experience Council (SEC)… shall be charged with [representing] the student body to the college administration, faculty, and staff in order to promote student interests and ensure activities and services make the student experience at Houghton the best it can be.”

Why do away with SGA though? Why SEC instead? While AC mentioned that the changes have been considered for a few years, the final decision came from “a common feeling among many executive officers of not really knowing what they were supposed to do.” The changes focus around clearing this up. Even though “government” was in the name, SGA in recent years had not been serving any real governing role among the student body, at least not in the usual sense of the term. The name of “Student Experience Council,” on the other hand, is meant to clarify their function: to represent the experiences and needs of students to the school’s administration.

Most of the changes that have been made have the purpose of making more clear the “how?” and “why?” of the organization. While the number of roles in the executive council (renamed from executive cabinet as a part of the “de-govermentalizing” of these changes) has increased, adding specific representatives for athletics, residence life, student organizations and academics, the purpose and responsibilities of each of these positions has been made more clear. The focus, as suggested by the names, is very clearly on representation: the various positions each represent an aspect of student life and activity here on the campus, so that the concerns specific to that area can be heard and made known. AC states that the hope is that these more clearly defined roles “will increase their effectiveness in supporting the student body.”

One question that might be on student’s minds amidst all this is what will become of the class cabinets? Formerly, the class of each year had their own mini-executive cabinet, who generally represented that class in the SGA’s public meetings and who would also plan events for the other students of their year. Within the structure of the SEC, class cabinets have been done away with in name, though their purpose has been morphed to a different form. The role of representing the needs and concerns of a given academic year will now be taken on by four class representatives who will be a part of the executive council. These four positions have acquired additional responsibilities beyond merely representing their class, however: the senior class representative takes on a role similar to that formerly fulfilled by the SGA vice president, acting in the place of the president in their absence; the junior class representative fulfills a scribe roll, taking the minutes for SGA meetings; and the sophomore representative helps to organize the election of the first-year representative each year. The representatives of the first-year and senior classes also take part in coordinating traditions and events for first-years and graduation respectively.

The “class cabinets” will also continue to exist, though they too will be shaped slightly differently. Going forward they’ll take the form of dedicated clubs, which AC says will be able to “work to increase connections and comradery amongst classes while also still having a connection to the concerns/advocacy part [of the SEC’s function].”

While the decision was formalized last week by the current Executive and Class cabinets, SGA is still open to hearing student thoughts and feedback. You can make your voice heard by talking with your class cabinet representative or members of the Executive Cabinet, or by attending one of the weekly public SGA meetings. All students are also invited to get involved by running for a SEC position for next academic year! You can find out more information about that process in the all-campus email sent out last week. ★

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Opinions

Operation Christmas Child: An Honest Evaluation

Each year, SGA pairs with the Houghton Wesleyan church to take part in “Operation Christmas Child.” For the past two years, I have taken the role of coordinator as SGA Chaplain.

When I first started the event, it seemed so simple. We packed boxes, celebrated our numbers, sent them off in big trucks, and then waited to hear stories of kids opening these boxes. It was such a simple equation. “A” plus “B” equaled “C.”

Photo by: Nate Moore
Photo by: Nate Moore

However, as I began to grow deeper in my understanding of international development, everything suddenly turned gray. I found myself asking questions such as,“How sustainable is their methodology?” or “Is this destructive to other cultures, especially non-westernized ones?” These are some of the questions I want to attempt to address.

Let’s first lay out context on the organization.

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) was originally started by Dave and Jill Cook in the United Kingdom in 1990, but later merged in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse in 1993. According to their website, their mission is to “provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ.” They are based in 150 countries, including Native American reservations here in the United States.

Now that we have context, let’s start the analysis. There are two issues I want address: proselytization and Westernization.

First, proselytizing. To proselytize means to “induce someone to convert to one’s faith from another.” Unlike the word “witnessing,” proselytization carries negative connotation of “force,” “against will,” or “unwanted.” Bryant Myers put it well in his book, Walking with the Poor. He says, “Our thinking and practice of transforming development must have evangelistic intent…though this is not a call for proselytism; neither is it a call to coercive, manipulative, or culturally insensitive evangelism…rather, it is a call to be sure we do our development with an attitude that prays and yearns for people to know Jesus Christ.” So does OCC fall on the witnessing side or the proselytizing side?

To be honest, I came into this argument quite skeptically, thinking that their Greatest Journey program was a form of proselytization; however, after some research, I found that OCC explicitly addressed my question and titled it “Is this forcing religion on the child who gets a gift?” In their statement, they openly addressed that, saying, “children do not have to do or say anything to receive their gifts.” So if we are to take them by their word, I believe it would be thus unfair to label them as proselytizers.

melquoteSecond, westernizing. In the development world, this word carries a great deal of controversy. The thought of “white saviors” coming into non-Western cultures and giving them Western toys, laced with messages of “the West is best” is quite controversial. It is also argued to be a form of post-colonialism aid that reinforces other cultures’ need for the Western white world to fix their problems. However, this line grows gray. For one, the organization states that they pair with local churches in attempt to initiate a “bottom-up” approach. Secondly, half of their ministry is in already Westernized countries. For instance, Houghton student Elizabeth Clark ’18, recalls her experience receiving an OCC box as a child in Estonia. She remembers it as a nice gesture, though nothing out of the ordinary, since her family was used to getting present on Christmas. But, “to have something nice…or something that won’t break in five minutes…makes a child feel loved, cherished and important.”

So where do we go from here? I admit, I’m still wrestling, debating, and engaging with these issues daily. But my desire today is not to provide any answers to you, but rather to ignite a prompting in your heart to critically analyze and engage with the grays in this world. It is easy to point out flaws and mistakes, or on the other side, give a blind eye and neglect any wrongs; but to engage the gray is hard. But there is also beauty in gray. I used to always pray for God to give me black and white answers on everything. However, I’m finally starting to see that the gray not only forces me to engage both sides, but it also stands as a beautiful reminder of my complete and total need for God.  So wherever you stand, try to step back and try and engage the gray. Who knows, maybe it is through that engagement that you will find the answer you were looking for.

Melissa is a senior majoring in communication and international development.

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Campus News

New Covenant Edits Approved by SGA

The SGA, (Student Government Association) held a second meeting to discuss the possibility of altering the language of the Community Covenant. The meeting took place on November 21, and discussed the language in regards to LGBTQ+ individuals who attend, or hope to attend, Houghton.  According to Student Body President Joanna Friesen ‘17,  the issue is not a new one.  She recounted concerns that were first vocal during the past spring semester with a petition.  While the petition itself did not come to fruition, Friesen attributed the current decisions the SGA is making to the concerns it presented.  “Due to the concern/awareness that the petition raised,” she claimed.  “Student Life took up the process again this fall, preparing revised language within the Student Life Council.”

Photo by: Lily Brunner
Photo by: Lily Brunner

When describing the process of forming the SGA’s proposed new language, Friesen explained, “I spent the last three weeks consulting with different groups of students on campus, and asking advice of advisers and professors. I drafted language, and then held two edit committee sessions.  The entire executive cabinet, and a representative from each class was present between one or the other session.”  The result was language that, as Friesen described “tried to reflect the suggestion from a number of students that ‘no pre-marital or extra-marital sex’ be the common community standard.”  

The excerpt of the proposed language discussed at the meeting stated “We [Houghton College] affirm, endorse, and teach traditional marriage as between one woman and one man.  Practicing Christian hospitality we remain an open and welcome community of friendship and shared Christian learning to LGBTQ+ community members.  We value and welcome all individuals, and the perspective and gifts they bring to Houghton College, while committing to live within Scriptural and Wesleyan ethics together.  We expect that all community members refrain from pre-marital sex and adultery.  We also expect community members to use discretion and respect of others in the community when displaying affections, especially such displays deemed inappropriate for public or commons spaces.”

Colleen Shannon ‘17, who attended the meetings for the discussion, identified what she believed was the greatest challenge of the controversy. She stated, “I’d say the major concern was this balance that we’re trying to hold between acknowledging the Wesleyan affiliation, respecting those with traditional or conservative views, and also acknowledging and accepting those who are pegged on the more progressive side, those who identify as LGBTQ students.”  She continued, “Whatever decision we make, we’re hoping will land in the midst of all three of those but there’s the potential that it may weigh more towards one side of the triangle.”

When the SGA presented the proposed language at the meeting on Monday, discussion led to some changes to the proposed  draft.  However, Friesen noted “The edits made on Monday were not foundational.” Among the suggestions given was a proposal by Aaron Eisenhart ‘17 to use the phrase “sexual orientation and gender identity” rather than the LGBTQ+ acronym. President of Houghton’s unofficial LGBTQ+ student group Phil Maenza ‘17 said he believed this suggestion was more “timeless”, so that Houghton “won’t have to go through this process again in ten years.”

Friesen said she hoped the approved proposed draft will be presented to the Student Life Council this week, or by the end of September.  Presentation to the council would be the next step in having the language integrated into the Community Covenant.

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Campus News

SGA Rejects Covenant Revisions

On Monday evening the Student Government Association (SGA) held its second public forum about the proposed changes to the Community Covenant. The meeting was held in the Paine Science Building’s Schaller Lecture Hall, which was filled to capacity. Before discussion began, Jiwan Dhaliwal ‘17 provided a devotion and prayer. She admonished the crowd to “allow the Christian story and ethic of love to supercede your personal theological beliefs,” and added  further that “we will lose our Christian community if we don’t value love above all else.” This call for unity in love was echoed by several community members throughout the evening.

Photo courtesy of Lily Brunner
Photo courtesy of Lily Brunner

Following the devotion, Vice President for Student Life, Robert Pool, spoke about the intent behind the proposed changes to the Community Covenant. The new language is meant to “clarify” the current use of the phrase “homosexual behavior.”

The proposed revised language reads:

“We believe, consistent with scripture and Wesleyan Church doctrine, that certain acts are clearly prohibited including: drinking alcohol to excess, stealing, speaking or writing profanely or slanderously, acting dishonestly, cheating, and engaging in occult practice. We also believe that sexual expression should be confined to marriage between one man and one woman as legally assigned at birth. Therefore, we expect members of the Houghton College community to refrain from engaging in premarital sex, adultery, and same-sex sexual behavior or dating relationships. We also expect all community members to use discretion and modesty when displaying affection, especially such displays deemed inappropriate for public or commons spaces.”

The floor was then opened for general discussion, moderated by student body president, Joanna Friesen ‘17. Community members on both sides of the issue shared their views. 

Photo courtesy of Lily Brunner
Photo courtesy of Lily Brunner

The final voice heard in the open discussion was that of Ron McEntire, a current graduate  student in Organ Performance. He told the story of his life, admitting that he was a gay Christian who first attended Houghton in the 1960’s. Though he was always aware that his identity as a gay man stood in tension with Wesleyan Church doctrine, his commitment to the Christian faith transcended differences about sexual ethics, regardless of how painful they could be. On the topic of the proposed revision he said,  “When I look at this language I don’t feel safe here.” This sentiment was shared by other members of the LGBTQ community on campus.

After open discussion ended the SGA voted on whether or not to reject and edit the proposed language. They chose to reject and edit, and will create an editing committee comprised of the Executive Council and class presidents. The purpose of this committee will be to find language that addresses the vagueness within the current covenant, while remaining sensitive to the needs of the entire community. As Pool said, “The intent is that the entire community agrees on the language. If not, then it’s not a community covenant.” Any questions, comments, or proposals for the Covenant language can be sent to the SGA at their email, sga@hougthon.edu

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Campus News

Push for Turkey Drive Funds Continue

Fundraising for the Student Government Association (SGA) Annual Turkey Drive will continue through the next week, according to Sergio Mata ‘19, Executive Officer of Student Life.

houghton.edu
houghton.edu

The Turkey Drive is a campus wide effort to provide Thanksgiving turkeys and trimmings to families in need living in Allegany county. Security guard Ray Parlett has participated in the Turkey Drive for the last nine years. He said, “ [I] distribute turkeys each year through local food pantries and other organizations. You might say the students raise the money and I get to spend it.  I have worked primarily with Shop and Save in Fillmore but also with Harington’s Sure-Fine in Belfast and occasionally Tops in Wellsville, all of whom have provided the turkeys to us at their cost, and at times even below cost.”

Families in need of a Thanksgiving turkey receive coupons, which are “distributed through the Houghton and Fillmore food pantries with some provided to the Rushford pantry as well” said Parlett. Aside from turkeys, “the food pantries also provide other food supplies to these families so they can have a nice complete meal for Thanksgiving, a rare thing for many of them,”Parlett noted.

Fundraising began with the Homecoming 5k race, which replaced the Turkey Trot 5k race SGA and Campus Activities Board (CAB) have hosted in the past, according to CAB member Kasey Cannister ‘17.

Fundraisers for the charity include Turkey Grams and “sponsor a turkey/feather,” according to Mata. “Students can pay $1 to send a Turkey Gram from the turkey mascot, just like candy grams,” he said. He also stated the print-out turkeys and feathers, which students purchase and color, will be made into a mural to decorate the dining hall for Thanksgiving.

SGA Vice President, Daniel Merriam ‘19, said students can sponsor a whole Thanksgiving turkey for a needy family for $15, or can sponsor part of a turkey by purchasing a feather for $1. “If every student sponsors a feather, we will easily meet our fundraising goal,” he said.

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Campus News

First Year Students Vying For Cabinet Positions

First year students vying for class cabinet positions delivered speeches to their peers Monday night at the weekly Student Government Association (SGA) meeting.

Student body president, Joanna Friesen ‘17, said votes for candidates were conducted via email, beginning on Tuesday September 27 and ended on September 28.

Skylar Hillman and James Argot each won their right to office by default. Hillman will assume the position of class treasurer and Argot will take office as class secretary. Argot cited a need for greater transparency, and detailed his plan to work with SGA to make meeting minutes more accessible, “possibly through a public Google Doc.”

sga-class-cabinet
Current SGA Executive Cabinet

No one ran for class historian, despite SGA vice president Daniel Merriam’s (‘17) calls for a volunteer for this “very important” position.

Celina Tijerina and Micah Modesto ran for class social chair. Tongue in cheek, Modesto stated she’d “cherish” the office.

The men’s chaplain campaign featured two candidates as well. Christian Arber, a communication and theology double major, cited his camp ministry as a strong qualification for the job. His competitor Juwan Moore urged his classmates not to vote for himself, but to “vote for whoever the Holy Spirit is convicting you to vote.”

“God is calling this generation to courageous care and radical love,” Moore stated in his speech.

Five candidates were slated for the women’s chaplaincy position. Kyla Nies, Emily Allen, Becca Loomis, Olivia Flint, and Abby Nayler each expressed their passion for Houghton’s mission, and their desire to serve their classmates’ spiritual needs. Loomis stated, “I love that we have so many spiritual events at Houghton, but I think sometimes they can make us spiritually numb. We need a revival.” Loomis proposed a discipleship and accountability group to launch said revival. Likewise, Allen said, “I want to play a part in leading our growth as a community.”

Madison Collins and Nathan Trouten ran for vice president. Trouten emphasized that, as an international student and an athlete, he feels especially qualified to serve these two groups in particular. He also promised to work closely with the president and treasurer to ensure the class cabinet stays within its budget. Collins expressed her desire to serve her classmates rather than “benefit from the efforts of others” all four years.

The speeches culminated with the presidential candidates. Jonathan Libby said his class was a group of diverse, high achievers, and “the challenges of diversity create leaders.” With high hopes for his classmates, he promised to be their “number one supporter” should he be elected.

Hannah Sievers highlighted her extensive experience in student leadership throughout her high school career. She was a member of “Sources of Strength,” a suicide prevention group. Sievers also participated in theatre, Student Council, and the yearbook club. She said she played an instrumental role in making the yearbook club into a credited class at her high school.

At the close of the candidate speeches, Merriam encouraged the first year students to remain involved, regardless of the election results. “You guys are the future of this college,”he said. “Stay involved, and carry on the Houghton legacy.”

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Opinions

The Role of SGA

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
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-quoteAnd 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.

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Campus News

State of the College Address Given

On Monday September 19, President Mullen addressed the student body with a summary of her annual State of the College address at the Student Government Association (SGA) all-campus meeting. Mullen covered topics varying from the celebrations to the challenges the college has and will be facing in the coming year.

Traditionally, the State of the College address is given a week before the scholastic year begins. However, Mullen felt it was important to share this information with the student body, and thus provided a space on Monday night to address the students in a summarized and comprehendible fashion.

“I am overwhelmed by gladness of the ability to be in this place,” she stated. Mullen further exclaimed how this year marked the largest incoming student class the school has seen in awhile. Houghton, as Mullen stated, is unlike any other college institution. “To have an academic environment that cares deeply about both faith and academia, and is intentionally about their fusions, is often unheard of in higher education… Sometimes we’re so inside this place, that we often forget how special it is,” she said.

Mullen also addressed some of the challenges for the college, the first being the continuation of Houghton’s foundational economic model. Houghton was founded on the principle of affordability for all. However, this generosity comes at the expense of the budget. Mullen said, “It costs about $7,000 more dollars to educate the average Houghton student than what they actually pay.”  Though a huge risk, Mullen explained the deep desire the administration has to preserve these foundational values as best they can.

Cayleigh Pracht ‘17, Executive Officer of Communications, responded to the address by saying she “appreciated the time that President Mullen took out of her schedule to be with the students.” Mullen, as Pracht explained, “bridges the gap from administration to students in a tact and sincere way.”

Student body president, Joanna Friesen ‘17, also emphasized the importance of having the president involved in student activities. She commented, “It’s important to have and maintain a relationship with the president of the college…It allows the opportunity for both students and administration to be aware of the wider part of the college.”

In closing, President Mullen encouraged the student body to take advantage of their time at Houghton, and to “carry out the tasks that God has called each of us to.”

Though that does not guarantee an avoidance of storms, it guarantees a life of molding and growth in both students spiritual and academic walk.

 

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Campus News

New Academic Dean Addresses Student Government Association

On Monday evening the SGA hosted new Dean of the College and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Samuel J. “Jack” Connell for an open question and answer session. Several questions were submitted beforehand via an online survey created by SGA, while others were taken from students in attendance. The topics ranged from Connell’s history with Houghton, to questions concerning online education, diversity on campus, and the state of several academic programs. Connell comes from a long line of Houghton alumni and has been involved with the college in a variety of ways, including working in administration during President Mullen’s first year and serving as a youth pastor at Houghton Wesleyan Church.

Jack ConnellRegarding online education, Connell commented on Houghton’s current online presence, saying that although it is currently a small presence, he thinks Houghton needs to and will make more aggressive moves into the online market. Expanding its online presence would allow Houghton to reach previously unreachable audiences, as well as being a helpful way to generate revenue.

When asked about diversity on campus, Connell replied that he did not think Houghton had a sufficiently diverse population on campus, particularly in regard to faculty and staff. To address this, Connell said among his priorities are to ensure that class curriculums reflect diverse viewpoints as well as making an effort in the future to recruit and hire diverse faculty members.

Although Connell is only three weeks into his new position, he spoke confidently of his vision for Houghton’s future and expressed his excitement to once again be a part of the Houghton community.

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Stories In Focus

Patrick Ishimwe, Giving Non-Traditional Students a Voice

Senior Patrick Ishimwe, executive officer of nontraditional students, grew up wanting to help people.

Born in Rwanda, moving from there to Congo, to Kenya, and eventually to Togo, where he lived for ten years, Ishimwe grew up in what he described as an “unstable environment.” Yet, he said, “there was always someone to help,” and through that, his family got “all the help we needed.”

Having moved to Buffalo, where he went to City Honors School for two years, Ishimwe eventually arrived at Houghton looking for a Christian environment and a good soccer program. Ishimwe initially did not consider SGA, but during his Sophomore year, a friend, Ben Hardy, convinced him to go to a meeting. Ishimwe was intrigued, and by his Junior year, he ran for the Senate and became part of the SGA. The SGA, he realized, was an opportunity to be a helpful voice on campus.

AnthonyBurdo_Patrick Ishimwe

However, among the changes the 2014-2015 year brought was the elimination of the Senate. Again Ishimwe made the decision to participate in SGA, this time becoming the Executive Officer of Nontraditional Students. In this role, Ishimwe deals with reaching out to the students of Buffalo who do not have the opportunity to go to traditional college.

Placing great value on education, Ishimwe is personally invested in the programs. “Education is just the key to success,” he said. In a recent Facebook post, Ishimwe wrote, “Jesus did not die on the cross just for us to live an average life.” He said, “Education showed me you don’t have to lead that life.” In his SGA position, Ishimwe is able to share this opportunity with students who otherwise would have no access to it. “They’re no different from us,” said Ishimwe, “We’re just fortunate enough to be able to afford to go here.”

Having attended school in Buffalo, Ishimwe has a personal understanding of the purpose and value of the programs for nontraditional students. He discovered that one of the students in the program was a good friend, and was able to see the positive effects. He noticed that his “friends from high school struggle with staying in college and getting a degree.” Ishimwe, in his position, is now able to see the tangible results of the programs.

Ishimwe describes his office as giving Buffalo students in the program “a voice on campus.” He keeps the SGA informed on how the programs are going, but also is responsible for sharing opportunities for involvement with other Houghton students. He and SGA president Katharine Labrecque have formed a committee that will be bringing in lecturers and possibly Buffalo residing Houghton alumni, who will inform Houghton students of opportunities to serve in Buffalo.

Patrick Ishimwe is a political science major, minoring in business and French. His desire to help people, to make a difference, is the root for his ultimate dream of going to law school and working with the United Nations. For now, he speaks for himself and reminds Houghton students, “Buffalo is a mission.” Although there is much to address for the rest of the world, for now “it’s preparation for future experiences.”