2021-2022 SGA Executive Council envisions real change

During a typical UHCL school year, students from various organizations gather in the SSCB lecture hall every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There, the students voice concerns and issues of the student body and UHCL community. 

The meeting informs the community of important events, votes on future UHCL legislation and generates occasional confrontation between students and faculty about what serves the students best. The Student Government Association (SGA) Council, a group of individuals elected to represent the interests of the student body host this meeting, the weekly SGA meeting. 

This academic year, four UHCL students find themselves in the role of fulfilling this mission to serve as the SGA Executive Council.  The 2021-2022 SGA Executive Council consists of Jasara (J) Scates, SGA president; Brandon Woodcock, Vice President of Administration, Crystal Woodcock, Vice President of Outreach & Communication and Ganesh Nyaupane, Vice President Committee Coordinator.

SGA President J is a UHCL alum, graduating in 2003 with a bachelor of science in psychology. J returned in 2018 seeking a post-baccalaureate and joined multiple student organizations including the Women’s Studies Student Association (WSSA) and Model Arab League Student Organization (MALSO). 

J previously served as a member of the SGA Senate and was an SGA representative for MALSO. It was through this position they learned of vacancies on the SGA Senate. 

During their time in the SGA Senate, J wrote the Inclusive Campus Initiative, which the Senate passed shortly after its drafting, and laid the foundation for current and future projects. 

“Serving on SGA in senator and director roles allowed me to have a profound impact on the campus community,” J said. “The SGA president position has afforded me access to the campus community in a new way and will allow me to continue to do great work for UHCL.”

J’s passions include diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism (DEIAA) and ensuring UHCL improves in these areas, like they did as co-chair of the Dining Advisory Council and advocating for a more inclusive and accessible dining experiences

“My goal is to do DEIAA work and to help UHCL continue to improve,” J said. “How I work on these depends on the issue. Many times, I can begin with a conversation geared towards action; in other instances, I am eager to help setup processes to do the work, and where able, I plan to lead the action.”

As vice president of administration, biology major Brandon Woodcock moderates SGA meetings, making sure meetings run smoothly, handling requisite paperwork and meeting minutes. 

As vice president of communication & outreach, biology major Crystal Woodcock reaches out to individuals and groups on campus to relay important information. Her position entails coordinating publicity for SGA through distribution of flyers, banners, signs, classroom presentations and other mediums. 

Crystal also reaches out to students to ensure their input via town hall meetings and student surveys, among other methods. The question of whether SGA information reaches the UHCL community ultimately falls into Crystal’s hands. 

Brandon and Crystal’s time with SGA began when they both served as SGA representatives for the Society of Future Medical Professionals. Crystal also served as SGA representative for the Society of Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, as well as multiple UHCL sororities. The two came to enjoy the inner workings of SGA and its ability to make change.

“After seeing how you can make real change through SGA and the difference it can make, I realized that is how I want to spend my time here at UHCL,” Crystal said. “It’s great knowing what we do has an impact on people’s lives.”

Brandon and Crystal married in 2012. The two transferred to UHCL in 2020, having moved to Houston in 2019. The SGA vice presidents met in the Navy, where they both worked in the medical field. 

Crystal’s personal goal as president of outreach and communication is guaranteeing student involvement with SGA.

“Whether that’s going out to local high schools or at student expos here or through social media, it’s making sure we let students know their voices can be heard and that the chance can be made on campus,” Crystal said. “I feel like when you talk to the general student body, students are like ‘What’s that?’ or they don’t know what the channels are for that, so my goal is to make sure they do know those channels.”

Brandon is focused on a similar goal, wishing SGA meetings to be a place for productive discourse.

“I think as far as being in an administrative role, I want to make sure our meetings are having people who the students can have access to at our meetings,” Brandon said. “I want to make sure that things are accessible and that their opinions are heard and they feel like they matter.”

Vice President Committee Coordinator Ganesh Nyaupane is in charge of ensuring students are represented on campus committees. Ganesh publicizes and recruits students for committee positions, ensures student committee representatives make regular reports to SGA and that committees retain required records.

Ganesh said his two primary goals are to increase student representation on campus committees and to advocate on behalf of students. 

Ganesh joined UHCL in Spring 2021, pursuing a Master of Science degree in computer science. Prior to attending UHCL, Ganesh served as secretary for the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Marri Laxman Reddy Institute of Technology. 

“I have had the opportunity to be involved in a number of different organizations here on campus,” Ganesh said. “Through these experiences, I have gained the foundational skills to be successful as the VP committee coordinator.”

The SGA Executive Council’s overarching goals are to create a more inclusive campus, strive to ensure UHCL’s administrators listen to students’ voices and take action based on their opinions and concerns. 

Other areas the SGA Executive Council is working on this year include the concept of universal design and becoming a trauma-informed campus. 

“We are working to ensure we are able to provide student representation on campus committees, to have all Senate positions filled and to continue to have training and workshops for all fee-funded student leaders and SGA-elected and -appointed positions,” J said.  

Brandon assured students the SGA is here for them, with each member of the council dedicated to student interests. Crystal said each of the four council members bring something different to the table. 

“If you have a concern or idea or something you want to see, come to us,” Brandon said. “It doesn’t matter if we are walking in the hallway or [if students] have a class with us, but bring that up to us because if we don’t know about it we can’t do anything about it. I think a lot of people think they have to go through certain channels but the right channel is if you see us, you can talk to us. I want people to know that. If you have anything just come to us.”

J’s time at UHCL has shown them just how much can happen over time. J encourages students to ask questions about any university matters and to not be afraid to talk to people. 

“Ask questions about what is happening at the university: change takes time, be it individual or the system,” J said. “I am just now seeing changes from conversations I dared to have two or three years ago. If you are nervous about asking questions, know that you are not alone.”

All four executive council members encourage students to take advantage of all UHCL offers.

“Take advantage of the small class sizes, the opportunities you have to meet different staff members,” Brandon said. “Get involved, join SGA. If you want to see change or there is something you like and want to see more of, you have the power. Figure out what you’re passionate about and join with like-minded people. Start early so you can truly enjoy your time here, whether it be student orgs or research.”

As UHCL kicks off the fall semester, the SGA Executive Council looks forward to serving the student body.

“There’s a lot of good work being done by our orgs on campus,” Crystal said. “We have a bunch of good orgs here and I think people should take advantage of that. And don’t hesitate to stop by SGA even just to say hi. We are here for you.”