The latest SGA meeting saw the induction of six senators to the SGA and the removal of one from office. Krista Kelyman and Bailey Rollage are Sophomores this year, but are also beginning their time in the SGA. Kelyman is a part of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and is involved in ROTC on campus, holding leadership positions in both organizations. Rollage is the president of the College Republicans and holds a significant political standing on campus.

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“My goals for the term include listening to the students and voicing their concerns, students should not have to worry about catching the eye of executives and staff with useless petitions, that's what SGA is for to reciprocate those goals and ideals in an efficient manner and pass legislation if necessary,” Rollage said, when asked what his goals were as a beginning senator.

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“I would like to see the SGA continuing to contribute to the growth of student involvement on campus through clubs and other organizations. I believe that the SGA is a great aid in unifying students with similar interests; I want to be as supportive as possible in the creation of new clubs on campus, and ensure that active clubs are being progressive so that they can remain successful,” said Kelyman, when asked about her own goals for the year.

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Alexa Hueston is a sophomore as well, but has spent a year sitting on the Student Affairs committee as a Senator, and has been re-elected to her seat. Remaining a senator this year gives her greater experience than the other candidates from this year.

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“This year in SGA I want to bridge the gap between the Student Government and the rest of the Student Body, while helping to improve the lives of the students and solve the problems they face on campus,” Hueston says on the SGA website, about her position as the Student Activities Director.

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Senators with experience do not always lay the groundwork for a successful time, however. Mia Johnson was removed from the Senate for violating her obligations to attend SGA meetings and hold office hours. While she was given the opportunity to defend herself before the Senate, she forfeited this, and the issue was promptly voted upon. Johnson removed from office for the 2018-2019 term.

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Fresh faces flooded into the SGA this Tuesday as well. Angel Mora, Laura Gil, and Muhammad Ali Imran are all Freshmen Senators, beginning their time in the student government. Each bringing their own individual strengths to the SGA, they begin their experience with quite a team. And with two out of the three freshmen senators coming from outside of the United States, it is clear that diversity will be a hallmark of the upcoming year.

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“I want to give students experience of countries outside of the United States. Coming from an international experience myself, some students stay in their pack, and I want to change that,” Imran said, speaking to the need for increased comfort with the diversity found at Behrend.

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“It will be a big year for SGA,” Rollage concludes in his email.