This school year Florida A&M University has not only welcomed new students to the hill, but it has acquired new administrators: a new university president and new student body leaders.
Last April, Monique Gillum, former student body vice president, was elected president of the student body and James Bland was elected vice president. They said that they are both optimistic and excited about this school year.
“The goal is to be truly transparent and a student centered SGA,” said Gillum, 21, a senior political science student from Gainesville. “It’s not about James and Monique,” she added.
Gillum and Bland have only nine months to complete a platform of over thirty points. Some of the points on their platform include monthly inserts in the Famuan, posting SGA flyers, increasing Coleman library operating hours and activating the SGA hotline. “We want to hear the concerns of the student body,” said Gillum.
The duo also plans to travel with the royal court and the football team. They plan to use these trips as an outlet to spread the good news about FAMU and its students. They have already created a new position in SGA for alumni affairs. This position provides SGA with a way to reach their $25,000 endowment, by reaching out to alumni.
Bland said that they hope to work together with FAMU TV-20. He would like to see the Torch series on the university’s channel. “I have so many different ideas for shows,” said Bland, 21, a senior business administration student from Titusville, Florida. “I think that our inauguration in September should be taped and broadcast on FAMU TV-20,” he added.
The two are even using Facebook, an online social network, as an outlet to communicate with the student body. Throughout the summer Gillum and Bland sent out messages to members of their Facebook group when former Interim President Castell Bryant resigned, when Floyds, a popular nightclub for college students, was accused of discriminating against FAMU students and a host of other newsworthy events to help update students on recent news involving the university.
Gillum and Bland say that their number one goal is to increase morale, which is why they kicked off the school year with the “I Believe in FAMU” campaign. A pep rally was held on August 21 in Gaither Gymnasium. At the beginning of the event students were give “I Believe in FAMU” T-shirts and orange and green pompoms.
Although it is the beginning of their campaign they say that they already feel a change in the atmosphere. “Since Ammons’ arrival there has been a restored spirit throughout the faculty and students,” Gillum said.
On the first day of Ammons’ term, Gillum and Bland held a prayer vigil at the eternal flame. “It was early in the morning and it was still dark. It had just finished raining and then the sun came out,” Bland said. “We welcomed Ammons with a new day!” he added.
Bland said that weather was symbolic of what the university was going through at the time. “FAMU is shining brighter than ever,” said Gillum. “It’s a brighter day!” she added.
Some students seem to be quite supportive of the new administration and are confident they will get the job done. Morris Hawkins, 33, a senior business administration student from Avon Park, Florida said, “I believe that Monique and James have the initiative and drive to lead the student body.”
Gillum said that although everyone may not always agree with their decisions, “we will always act in the best interest of the majority,” she said. “The works that we do will be the will of the student body.”
Gillum and Bland sent out messages to members of their Facebook group when former Interim President Castell Bryant resigned, when Floyds, a popular nightclub for college students, was accused of discriminating against FAMU students and a host of other newsworthy events to help update students on recent news involving the university.
Gillum and Bland say that their number one goal is to increase morale, which is why they kicked off the school year with the “I Believe in FAMU” campaign. A pep rally was held on August 21 in Gaither Gymnasium. At the beginning of the event students were given “I Believe in FAMU” T-shirts and orange and green pompoms.
Although it is the beginning of their campaign they say that they already feel a change in the atmosphere. “Since Ammons’ arrival there has been a restored spirit throughout the faculty and students,” Gillum said.
On the first day of Ammons’ term, Gillum and Bland held a prayer vigil at the eternal flame. “It had just finished raining and then the sun came out,” Bland said. “We welcomed Ammons with a new day!” he added.
Bland said that weather was symbolic of what the university was going through at the time. “FAMU is shining brighter than ever,” said Gillum. “It’s a brighter day!” she added.
Some students seem to be quite supportive of the new administration and are confident they will get the job done. Morris Hawkins, 33, a senior business administration student from Avon Park, Florida said, “I believe that Monique and James have the initiative and drive to lead the student body.”
Gillum said that although everyone may not always agree with their decisions, “we will always act in the best interest of the majority,” she said. “The works that we do will be the will of the student body.”