With Senate voting concluding this week, representatives of CCSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) are changing, and new faces are preparing to make a difference in their community. 

Current President James Finlay and Vice President Malachi Collins explained the role SGA plays in fulfilling its obligations to students. 

“Student Government Association, the biggest thing that we do is represent student voices,” Finlay said. “We have resident senators, commuter senators and first-year senators, who will be elected in the fall during a special election. We also have at-large senators that anyone can run for, and they represent the people who elected them.” 

“The main thing we do is build relationships and ensure we can vote on issues that could change policy,” Collins said. “I realize how many different segments of campus there can be, and I feel like SGA can be that connecting piece.” 

Collins and Finlay emphasized the value SGA provides for students, noting that it serves as a space that brings people together. 

“It’s important because I feel like it’s a platform for the people,” Collins said. “Some people have never had the opportunity to vocalize their ideas in a group setting. I think it gives people that first step into advocacy.” 

“I think the biggest thing that we do, and that I try to do, is support students in their clubs on campus,” Finlay said. “Whether that be advocating for their needs with the administration, or funding student clubs and interests, campus life is one of our biggest focuses.” 

Finlay also explained how student activity fees contribute to funding campus organizations. 

“Each student pays a $100 student activity fee,” Finlay said. “About 76% of that, roughly $76 per student, goes to SGA, and that money gets dispersed into our various accounts.” 

With SGA serving as a bridge between students and campus leadership, voting becomes one of the most important ways students can ensure their needs and concerns are heard. 

“These people are going to be representing where you live or where you’re invested on campus, and they have the ability to improve the community,” Collins said. “If you don’t vote, you’re not utilizing the investment you have here.” 

Finlay said civic participation on campus mirrors the broader democratic process. 

“Democracy and politics come from within us,” Finlay said. “It’s not just in Washington, D.C., or the Capitol in Hartford. It’s in our everyday interactions, especially at school, where we should be expanding our mindset.” 

He added that participation in student government and campus organizations can have long-term benefits. 

“Participating in SGA elections, hall council elections in individual residence halls, or just getting involved in clubs is important,” Finlay said. “Our senators here at SGA are going to go on and do great things in their professional lives. You want the best people representing you.” 

Finlay also spoke about the importance of the Senate within SGA. 

“As much as I’m president, that means I preside over the Senate,” he said. “I want to elevate the voices of our senators. The SGA wouldn’t really be anything without the Senate.” 

He said his role during meetings is largely procedural. 

“My main job, especially in our weekly Senate meetings, is presiding over the meeting,” Finlay said. “I guide discussion at a procedural level, taking motions, calling motions and calling for votes. I don’t usually participate in the discussions themselves.” 

Finlay said senators carry much of the responsibility for addressing campus concerns. 

“They’re the ones asking questions for clubs about funding,” Finlay said. “They’re the ones bringing forward issues they see, whether it’s something broken in the residence halls or a concern about the dining hall. They’re the ones doing a lot of the work of bringing those issues forward.” 

He added that senators also play a role in planning campus programming. 

“Another big thing we focused on this year was creating as many events as possible for students to participate in,” Finlay said. 

In terms of who can run for SGA, Finlay said any undergraduate student with an interest in serving the campus community is encouraged to participate. 

“We want a diverse pool of candidates,” he said. “That’s really important.” 

Finlay also had a message for students who may be hesitant about getting involved. 

“Make sure people vote,” Finlay said. “And in the fall, if we have any open seats left over or positions for first-year senators, definitely declare if you’re interested and want to make a difference.” 

“You can do so much if you show up at 100%,” he said. “If you try to be better every week and push yourself outside your comfort zone every day.”