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As stated in the Initiative description, “College Affordability is an issue that can be advocated through all areas of the University structure.” The Executive Branch has taken a variety of steps in order to fully advocate for College Affordability and to best “ensure students are receiving the appropriate resources for tuition and fees.”
Through Federal Advocacy in October, the Executive Branch traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for an increase to Federal Financial Aid, including an increase to Pell Grant Funding, and Research Grants which in turn can pay for student work study and other on campus opportunities. Additionally, the Student Government Association was able to invite Congressman Lawson to host a roundtable with students to expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for college-students, and to tour both the Professional Clothing Closet and the ‘Food for Thought’ Pantry.
Through Statewide Advocacy, the Student Government Association has continually advocated for student scholarships through the Florida Legislature including maintaining funding for Bright Futures and other scholarship programs, continuing to fund the HDGAP Scholarship for student-veterans initiated by FSU SGA OGA, as well as the expansion of new programs such as the Purple Heart Tuition Waiver, and the Open Educational Resources Grant Program. Through the advocacy efforts of other Student Governments in the State University System and FSU SGA, Representative Ponder filed HB 3419 for Food and Housing Insecurity.
On campus, the Student Government Association relaunched the Round-Up Campaign which goes directly towards the ‘Food for Thought’ Pantry in the Dean of Students Department. Additionally, the Executive Branch secured funding for the ‘Food for Thought’ Pantry through Bill 96 which passed the 71st Student Senate. More information on the Round-Up Campaign can be found on the Office of Business Services website at https://obs.fsu.edu/roundup.
The Local Fees Committee alongside the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Congress of Graduate Students advocated for an increase in Local Fees (Athletics Fee, Health Fee, and the Activity & Service Fee), which hasn’t been increased since 2012. Although an increase in Fees at first glance might seem to be in direct conflict with College Affordability, an increase actually helps the student body. An Increase of local fees results in an increase of resources at Florida State University including continuing access to free tickets through the Athletics Fee, enhanced services through Campus Recreation and the Oglesby Union, increased programmatic events including Concerts and Lectures through the Student Government Association, and more events with Free Food on campus through the Activity & Service Fee, as well as decreased wait times, and ensuring the University Counseling Center is able to retain counselors through the Health Fee.
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This initiative is ongoing through Secretary of Student Engagement Duncan.
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The Executive Branch alongside the Office of Governmental Affairs advocated for the expansion of Medical Amnesty in Florida and the adoption of Andrew's Law. Prior to the adoption of HB 595 (2019), FSU had a Medical Amnesty Policy for on-campus housing, which only impacted 20% of our Student Body. Upon adoption of the Policy, Medical Amnesty in Florida is now for both drug and alcohol overdoses and applies to both on and off campus - as it applies to the entire State of Florida. Additionally, SB 1080 contained amnesty provisions known as Andrew's Law, which pertained to amnesty in terms of hazing. Additionally, Representative Silvers the sponsor of HB 595 hosted a roundtable with Students, FSUPD, and administration to further outreach to students on Medical Amnesty and other campus safety initiatives. Student Body President Steinberg and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Hecht sent an email to all students in regards to Medical Amnesty.
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Through advocacy efforts of the Executive Branch the Faculty Senate passed an updated Religious Observance Policy in September, where Student Body President Steinberg spoke to the Faculty Senate on the importance of this topic and the necessary changes. Changing the policy by removing 'work restricted' and changing the policy from notifying a student's professor from originally in the first week of the semester to two weeks prior to the holiday. Additionally, the 71st Student Senate passed Bill 97 in regards to religious observance within the Student Government Association
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Through the Office of Governmental Affairs' Legislative Agenda the Student Government Association will be advocating for two student veteran friendly initiatives and policies to the Florida Legislature. These include, funding for the Veteran's Legacy Complex which would contain both the WWII Institute on the Human Experience, AFROTC & AROTC program, and the Student Veteran's Center. Additionally OGA, will be advocating for the expansion of the Purple Heart Tuition Waiver Program for graduate students. In line with other campus entities, and at the request of the Executive Branch - the SGA website contains a direct link to resources for student-veterans as seen via the arrowhead on the sga website. Student Government was instrumental in planning FSU's first Fallen Hero's ceremony through planning, programming, and funding.
In January members of the Student Government Association will be attending the annual NATCON, planned by the preeminent student-veteran organization, Student Veterans of America.
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Through the Office of Governmental Affairs, FSU SGA has been the primary entity who advocated for an Open Educational Resource Grant Program in the State of Florida, modeled after Grant programs in Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, Oregon, and New York. A Bill has been filled in the Legislature for an OER program. Additionally, FSU SGA has been an advocate of University Libraries Grant Program and student representatives serve directly on both the Open Educational Resource Committee and the Alternative Textbook Grant Committee both under University Libraries.
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The Student Government Association on a daily basis advocates for the Student Body.
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The Executive Branch hosted our retreat in Tallahassee at the FSU Reservation in August.
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The Steinberg, Lee, Dawkins administration has continuously prioritized the importance of engaging with other Student Governments. In August, the Student Government Associations of TCC, FAMU, & FSU alongside Mayor Dailey of Tallahassee filmed a Welcome video - welcoming all students to Tallahassee and to the start of the academic year. Additionally, both administrations at FSU & FAMU have prioritized attending events at each institution including FAMU & TCC attending a Student Senate meeting at FSU, as well as FAMU and FSU speaking together at a CARE GBM, as well as FSU attending FAMU inauguration in the fall.
Additionally, FSU has made it a priority to attend Florida Student Association meetings which occur monthly, and also attending the annual ACC Days at the Capitol conference in Washington D.C. alongside the other ACC Student Government Associations.
Over the summer, FSU SGA made it a priority to visit the Panama City Campus to visit their Student Government Council, in order to best understand the needs of their students. We visited with students, faculty, staff, and administration on the campus including their Student Government Council President and the Dean of the College of Applied Studies and of the Panama City Campus, Dean Hanna. Panama City has also visited the Tallahassee campus two additional times, to network with our Student Government leaders and to learn more about initiatives to bring back to Panama City.
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Beginning in July 2019, the administration had conversations with various scooter companies about their introduction to FSU's campus, including Bird and Lime. Once electric scooters were introduced to the City of Tallahassee, the University Administration decided the geofence would not include the FSU campus, slowing the progress on this platform point. These conversations are ongoing with University Administration and the City of Tallahassee and will continue if the scooter trial with the City is continued.
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This initiative is ongoing through Press Secretary Francis and Student Body Vice President Lee
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The Student Government Association is dedicated to our partnership with other student organizations such as the Seminole Student Boosters and the Student Athletic Advisory Council. SGA worked with Student Boosters organization on a variety of initiatives including the implementation of the NoleZone student section initiated through the Men's Basketball Program. SGA was involved in the planning, coordination, and support of the NoleZone in the early phases - and will continue to do so as the student section continues to grow. Furthermore, SGA was integral in coordinating the first annual Welcome Week Pep Rally aimed as a tradition for new students, to interact with our Athletic Coaches and other facets of the University community including SAAC and NPHC.
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Through GBM's and multiple co-sponsorships with the vast organizations on campus have been executed throughout the semester targeting all students at FSU to bring the community together.
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Plausible ideas to further implement housing safety mechanisms are being reviewed and discussed with FSU Administration and FSUPD.
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During the #AllAccess Disability Awareness Week, the Student Government Association launched a social media campaign in order to educate fellow students on how to best be inclusive and how to be better allies for students with disabilities at Florida State University.
Secretary of Accessibility Winn assisted in a partnership with University of Choice and Student Alumni Association to introduce the first Inclusion Award, which was included in the Homecoming Parade festivities. Homecoming floats were judged on various accessibility categories including visual accessibility, mobility, and sound. The float that was considered "most accessible and inclusive" was recognized by University of Choice.
Secretary of Accessibility Winn continues to work on initiatives to increase Accessibility within the Student Government Association.
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This initiative is ongoing through Secretary of Accessibility Winn
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This initiative is ongoing through Secretary of Health & Wellness Guzman and Student Body President Steinberg
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The Executive Branch has an ongoing close partnership with the FSUPD to brainstorm ideas and initiatives to ensure a safer campus for all. Student Body President Steinberg and Student Body Vice President Lee participated in a ride-along with FSUPD in the Fall Semester in order to learn more about the strategies FSUPD utilizes to keep campus safe during patrols. Additionally, the Student Government Association partnered with the Center for Health Advocacy & Wellness and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life for FSU's Hazing Prevention Week in order to engage students and host student roundtables on the event. Furthermore, as stated on the Office of Governmental Affairs Legislative Agenda, SGA will be advocating for campus safety initiatives to the Florida Legislature.
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Student Body Treasurer Dawkins hosted a Financial Literacy Workshop in October in order to educate organizations on how they can secure funds from SGA. Additionally, Student Body Treasurer Dawkins provided insight to students during his -outside of the office, office hours-
Student Body Treasurer Dawkins has completed the filming of the Financial Literacy Video, and the video is currently being developed.
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The Executive Branch has hosted three 'Food for Thought' events. The first event was hosted over the summer in thagard, where all students could meet members of the Executive Branch where we hosted a Taco Bar open to all students. Secretary of Student Engagement Duncan planned and coordinated our annual Welcome Back BBQ hosted by the Student Government Association in the Fall Semester where over 600 students attended. Additionally, Student Body Vice President Lee recently hosted a Friendsgiving event in collaboration with our Six Identity Based Agencies.
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Please see the Executive Branch Newsletter which is located under the Executive Branch tab on the SGA website.
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Through the efforts of Press Secretary Francis and Secretary of Student Engagement Duncan all members of the Executive Branch and the Executive Cabinet hosted 'Outside of the Office, Office Hours' in November all throughout campus in order to outreach to different areas of campus.
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VAM Podcast, Our Voices, Our Advocacy, Our Movement, is a student-led podcast, which was inspired from vires, artes, mores. With an overall purpose to empower students with the stories and experiences of fellow students at FSU, the podcast creates a space for students to share about their experiences on realities of life and college. The first two episodes were filmed and launched by Secretary of Co-Collegiate Affairs Janvier in November.
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This initiative is ongoing through Student Body President Steinberg
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This initiative is ongoing through Secretary of Fulfilment & Strategic Initiatives Garner
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This initiative is ongoing through Secretary of Fulfilment & Strategic Initiatives Garner
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The Platform tracker was launched in the Fall Semester in order to portray the progress of the Steinberg, Lee, Dawkins Platform.
At the December 3rd, SGA Recap event coordinated by Student Body Vice President Lee - the Executive Branch as well as other areas of SGA were able to portray progress on initiatives through the semester. Additionally, Press Secretary Francis was able to launch a social media campaign also portraying how the platform has progressed.
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The Executive Branch/Executive Cabinet has had a representative at every Senate meeting this Fall to give updates on behalf of the respective groups. This will continue into the Spring semester Senate meetings.
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This initiative is ongoing through Secretary of Fulfilment & Strategic Initiatives Garner.
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This initiative is ongoing through Secretary of Fulfilment & Strategic Initiatives Garner
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This initiative is ongoing through Secretary of Fulfilment & Strategic Initiatives Garner