Press Release : College Tour

          Between the 2nd and the 7th of August, twelve members of the Student Government Association volunteered to travel to three different universities: Valdosta State, Auburn University, and The University of Alabama to take an in-depth look at the way other administrations and student governments operate. This endeavor, which would be known as the “SGA College Tour,” was spearheaded by Mitchell College of Business Senator, Chris Jones. During the visits, the SGA members held meetings with other officials and surveyed prominent campus-wide facilities.          Facilities of interest that were observed were places such as student centers, SGA offices, residential areas, libraries, academic settings, dining halls, and the like. This allowed for South Alabama officials to experience the atmosphere and condition of other student bodies. It also provided new perspective on how to serve South Alabama students.          Senator Jones related on the College Tour, “The SGA College Exchange proved to be a great resource of ideas that could be implemented at USA. Senators learned about programs and projects that have improved many aspects of university life on the three campuses we visited. Adversely, we have realized that despite the other schools being older and more established, USA is quickly on its way to being competitive with any sized university. The biggest changes can only be accelerated with student drive and cooperation.”          The visiting SGA members kept in mind issues such as the organization of the other university’s SGA, what events it sponsors, budgeting strategies, senate projects, campus involvement, and the overall benefit to the corresponding community-at-large.