SGA seeks new council member for VP of Outreach and Communication
The Student Government Association (SGA) is the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s student government body which provides a voice for students in the university’s shared governance process. The position for Vice President of Outreach and Communication has opened up in light of previous board member, Ashlyn Vaughn, stepping down before completing the end of her term. Now the SGA is in need of candidates to fill the recently vacated position.
If interested in applying for the position of VP of Outreach and Communication, keep in mind that it is described by Associate Dean of Students Iliana Melendez as a “programmatic heavy position” that requires collaborating with others. This is where the outreach portion of the title comes into play.
Melendez said that if one were to ask the current board how much time and dedication is put into working for SGA, “they’d probably tell you it’s a part-time job.” In agreement, she explains that it can take up to 20 hours a week and most likely more as of late, because of currently being short-staffed.
David Rachita, dean of students, provided more insight into what qualities a person applying for the position of VP of outreach and communication should possess in addition to what the role entails.
“The position of VP of Outreach and Communication focuses on outreach to the campus community,” Rachita said. “It involves creating awareness of SGA to the UHCL community through tabling events, sponsoring programs, participating in programs, and creating partnerships and connections with both internal and external community members.”
Rachita emphasizes the importance of bringing enthusiasm, energy and teamwork skills to the position of VP of Outreach and Communication.
“A successful VP will be the person that truly enjoys creating relationships with people and groups and has the drive to get out there, shake some hands, and get more folks involved in SGA,” Rachita said.
However, being a member of the SGA executive board is not the only way to get involved. Anyone is welcome to attend the weekly meetings held every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and voice concerns and opinions.
In the last SGA meeting for the fall semester, which took place on Nov. 19, Vaughn stood in front of the SGA assembly to announce that she had been asked to step down by the SGA executive board members and would be resigning effective immediately. She went on to describe her experience as a hostile and toxic environment, but that she also appreciated the opportunities provided during her term.
In order for an SGA executive board member to be removed, a unanimous decision is required. In this instance, Vaughn accepted and resigned.
As Melendez describes it, the situation is unfortunate and a “rough process, but it’s there for a reason, and our students have the right to execute that.”
As for the open position in SGA executive council, the hopes are to fill the position early in the spring semester. A typical term normally runs from April of one Spring semester to April of the next to complete a full year. The new VP of Outreach and Communication will agree to serve the remainder of the current term.
Specifics on how someone can apply for the position of SGA VP of Outreach and Communication will later be disclosed by either the other SGA officers or from Interim Director of Student Involvement and Leadership Patrick Cardenas.
