Student Association hosts townhall uGather

Union College Student Association partnered with the college administration to bring back the biannual townhall meeting. This assembly was held twice a year up until around 2020. Previous formats have included opening mics for constituents to approach and ask questions in the moment, or submitting questions in advance for administration to review before the event.

To preserve both the integrity of the students asking questions as well as honoring the time constraints of the event, this year, questions were collected in advance, but the administration did not see them in advance. The Student Senate met, vetted and prioritized the order of the questions for the event.

Student Association President Annelise Jacobs and Executive Vice President Jadon Gibson presented the questions to the panel of administration. Attending the panel were President Vinita Sauder, VP of Finance Steve Trana, VP of Academic Administration Debbie Eno, VP of Spiritual Life David Kabanje, VP of Enrollment Michelle Velazquez-Mesnard, VP of Advancement LuAnn Davis, VP of Student Life Kim Canine and Integrated Marketing Communications Director Ryan Teller. Campus Safety Director Dustin Sauder also stepped up to answer questions about cameras and safety measures on campus.

The event was opened by announcing the Board of Trustees Writing Awards Winners for the past two academic years. This transitioned into introductions of the panelists before going into questions. Questions ranged from concerns surrounding safety on campus to the timeline of the new wellness center construction. Vinita Sauder and Ryan Teller shared a Kahoot competition on brands and institutions that have changed their names. Did you know that Southern Adventist University has had seven names since it opened in 1916?

In celebration of the name change, party poppers had been handed out at the entrance. As the finale of the townhall, the audience fired confetti after a countdown.

If you were unable to attend the townhall, keep your eyes out for an email from your senator in January. All questions, including unanswered questions, will be shared with administration and the Student Senate will share the answers with constituents via their newsletters.

By Annelise Jacobs