Many changes have come to Biola this year that directly affect students, however, some don’t know these changes have been made or how they affect them. Freshman Biola students also have been shown to not know about changes continuing as we attend our classes.
It is imperative, however, that we remain informed of anything that is going on around campus. They affect campus life, as well as tuition prices and a great way for this to happen is attending Student Government Association (SGA) meetings.
Friday’s SGA meeting did not have student proposals this week, but instead provided valuable information for students that they may not have known.
WHAT IS SGA
SGA is an undergrad, student-run organization that aims to advocate for the student body in different ways. Student senators avidly listen to the concerns of their constituents and report their comments during weekly SGA meetings.
There is a student-elected senator for every community on campus–dorms, commuters, and off-campus apartments to ensure the voice of every student has a chance to be heard.
SGA meetings are open to the student body. Students have the chance to sit in and listen to the discussion and are welcome to ask questions about anything as well.
SGA aims to serve the student body in every way possible. SGA’s constitution outlines all the rules and regulations they must follow to ensure the well-being of every student is sought after and student life is enhanced.
POLICIES AND FEES
As inflation continues to be a prevalent problem in many lives, it also affects Biola’s cost and additional fees. With these numbers on the rise, it is important that students know what they are paying for.
All added fees can be found on Biola’s Undergraduate Tuition and Costs site. As fees are added, students will also receive notice from the university via their Biola email.
There are also policies not known to students. All academic policies can be found on the Academic Catalog site. From academic standards to situation-specific questions students may have, the catalog is a resource that serves to inform students of what their degree requires, and any information needed to make them a successful student.
For example, the Incomplete Grades Policy is designed to help students who endure unforeseen circumstances or emergencies and need more time to complete their classes.
More information can be found in the Student Handbook.
CAMPUS SAFETY AND SECURITY
Campus Safety officers, also called Campo, are figures we see multiple times a day serving in many different capacities. Their job is to ensure Biola is a safe environment for students.
One of their tasks is ensuring that the vehicles on campus have parking permits. Although it may seem like just another expense, this money helps pay for fees to the city of La Mirada for having parking garages.
An important change concerning this, however, is that the price of parking tickets has risen from $40 to $80.
Last year, many students paid the parking tickets rather than buy the permit because it was expensive. Students would rather pay one or two parking tickets for $40 rather than pay $160 for a permit. Biola’s parking tickets, however, are much less expensive than other universities in California. For example, the starting price per semester at California State University, Long Beach is $259.
“Campo does not have to meet a quota of tickets they give out. They don’t get paid anymore for giving out parking tickets,” Jacqueline McCauslin, junior Political Science major and SGA President stated. “The money you pay goes to the university, not campo.”
STUDENT PROPOSALS
In the event that students want to propose something, they can fill out a student proposal form and speak with their senator about it. From there, the proposal will receive feedback from other constituents, then take it to the senate for a vote.
Proposals must be submitted 48 hours before the weekly senate meeting. SGA senate meetings are on Fridays at 1:30 p.m., so all proposals must be submitted on Wednesdays by 1:30 p.m.
FINAL NOTES
Above all, SGA aims to better serve the student body every year. As Christ came to serve, SGA’s goal is always to advocate for the student body. SGA hour is a time to meet and talk with senators to communicate any concerns. SGA hour times and places are as follows:
Hart Hall: Sundays after Singspo in dorm lobby
Stewart Hall: Sundays after Singspo in dorm lobby
Blackstone Hall: Sundays after Singspo in dorm lobby
Sigma Hall: Sunday from 8:55-9:55 pm in dorm lobby
Commuters: Wednesday from 12:00-1:00 pm in Collegium or Library
Hope Hall: Sundays after Singspo in dorm lobby
Alpha Hall: Sunday from 8:30-9:30 pm in dorm lobby
Horton Hall: Sunday from 8:30-9:30 pm in dorm lobby
Block Apartments: Wednesday at 7 pm
Bluff Apartments: Rounds
This year’s team of senators eagerly awaits to hear from any one of their constituents and desires to advocate for them in any way they can.
