Hello, Mr. President: NGU’s new student body council
Keely Lyons, News and Features Editor
They smiled. They waved. They created Instagram accounts. Now, the votes have been cast and North Greenville University welcomes the new leaders of the student body council.
Marcus Hermanstyne, senior interdisciplinary studies major, knew he wanted to play a vital role in supporting North Greenville. Hermanstyne said, “From the time I applied to NGU to this day, I knew God was calling me here and I absolutely love this school. I love the mission, the people and just the culture.”
Hermanstyne represents the head of an important team of representatives who speak on behalf of the student body. The student body will have an opportunity to attend meetings that will allow them to voice their concerns and requests.
Between his desire to serve the school and make the university a better place, Hermanstyne knew he needed to run for president. He said, “A good leader is someone who honors and fears God, puts others before themselves and is willing to do whatever [to an extent] to see people thrive.” When you follow God and He is the center of your life, they are more inclined to follow after you because you are led by Him, said Hermanstyne.
As student life hurls many of its conflicts, NGU’s new student body president wants to prepare himself and pave the way through common issues by listening to each person’s needs. He said, “The more quantity of options you have, the better quality you have of getting a better resolution.”
As ruling student body president, Hermanstyne hopes to exercise godly wisdom, and pray through every situation and promote healthy conflict resolution.
Ciara Mace, senior general business and marketing major, has received her qualification to lead marketing on the council through past internships and running the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Instagram page.
Two years ago, the council was named, “student government,” said Mace. Over the course of those years, the tone and format of the government changed. Mace said, “We have given it a new name, ‘student body council,’ so the student body feels more involved.”
The council will be hosting two to three forums per semester. These meetings will allow the students to voice their opinions without the faculty present. Students can voice their opinions anonymously and they will be written down or inquiries can be emailed to student officers, said Mace.
When asked how he plans on making improvements on Todd Dining Hall’s food options, Hermanstyne said, “I have to have evidence from students. That’s why it will be important for students to come to these forums so I will have credible, reliable sources.” The more students who can attend and voice their issues, the better, said Hermanstyne. Hermanstyne would then take the information to the administration or someone over the cafeteria.
Jared Thomas, assistant vice president for student engagement, is the head advisor for the council. “Part of my job is to be student advocate, so I need some formal mechanism to actually hear from the student body.” For some time, the administration has desperately needed a student body counsel to help facilitate formal meetings, said Thomas.
The administration plans to institute representatives for each of the colleges. These representatives will attend each forum and voice the comments and concerns of each department, said Thomas.
There will be official meetings between the officers to discuss the operational side of the finances needed to fund events and specific needs. Then, the forums will be scheduled for the whole student body, said Thomas.
This will prepare the council to meet with the administration and for the administration to form a response at the next forum. “Hopefully, there will be natural action points that come out of those minutes,” said Thomas.
Currently, there is no parliamentarian position on the council. According to Thomas, the position entails making sure meetings are run efficiently and fairly. The officers have yet to discuss if this position will be filled or dissolved, said Thomas.
The other officer positions currently filled are Abigail McGillis as secretary and Hunter Corzine as treasurer.
Photo courtesy of Moriah Faulk
