SGA members gain more freedom

Sophomore Youngsang “Eric” Ji and freshman Phillip Mayagoitia-Fuller were elected into the Student Government Association in the association’s meeting Oct. 10.

New business in the SGA meeting invites extra senates to group and get yearly budgets passed.

“I am really excited and at the same time a little bit nervous,” Ji said.

Ji is a physics major while Mayagoitia-Fuller is an international business and history major. The two said they wish to help out with the students of their majors as well as all the students on campus.

“My intention with the group is to get more involvement,” Mayagoitia-Fuller said. “I feel like we don’t have a very loud, outspoken voice for people who are on the lesser-known side of campus.”

Mayagoitia-Fuller also said he is excited to start improving relations.

“My goal mainly is to get students active, get resolutions passed and get the school going on a must faster pace,” Mayagoitia-Fuller said.

Vice President Alfredo Felipe said he has known Ji for a while and has been able to see him develop and engage with students while Mayagoitia-Fuller is passionate and excited to see what he brings to the group.

“I think they are a great fit,” Felipe said.

President of SGA, Peyton Labauve, said he approves of the two new members.

“We are certainly happy to have people who are focused on interface, outreach and networking,” Labauve said.

Labauve introduced the yearly budget at the meeting and got it approved. Felipe said the money amount was set fairly.

“It’s more important for the senate so they have a pool of money, and so they can have programs that they can get through,” Felipe said.

Labauve said this year’s budget allows the senators to make their own decisions, which hasn’t been done in the past.

“We are trying to empower our senators by giving them more flexibility,” Labauve said.

Felipe and Labauve said outreach is a main point for SGA. The two want students to add the university on snapchat, AngeloStateU, so that they can be more involved.

“We want to increase interface between different departments and organizations so that students are made more aware,” Labauve said.

The president and vice president also want students to be more involved with RamTram, the public transportation system for the university. Student discount flyers will be posted in the RamTram.

“We give student discounts, which is an initiative we have,” Felipe said. “Businesses have discounts for students while we promote them.”

Students who are interested can text “RAMTRAM” to 84483 to receive alerts starting Oct. 14.