The Park Student Government Association is an organization that serves as a liaison between university administration and students. PSGA is also the comptroller of a percentage of the Student Activity Fee funds.

The organization is made of 16 senators and an executive board. Each senator must be elected by popular vote of the student body. Usually, part of the senate is elected at the end of the previous spring semester and freshmen senators are elected at the beginning of that fall semester. The president, vice president, secretary and business manager are also elected in the spring. The Public Relations Chair position is appointed rather than elected.

This year, due to some senators leaving the organization, there had to be a second “Special Election” in order to fill the vacancies. As of October 27, PSGA looks like this:

President: Thomas Murphy

Vice President: Ryan Zitter

Business Manager: Ronald Lang

Secretary: Gunner Backues-Eberspacher

Public Relations Chair: Anissa Martinez

Senators: Diamond Alexander, Jaden Box, Heather Cole, Destinee Dale, Sean Dougherty, Wyatt Farkas, Ghislaine Fumey, Hannah Hartzell, Jasper Hawkins, Alayna Howard, Brittany Karst, Owen King, Jesse Patrick, Donna Pretrick, Blake Sellers and Madison Workman.

PSGA uses part of their funds for projects and operations, part for paying the salaries of the executive board, and the largest percentage for providing funding to clubs and organizations. Those last two are distinguished by the names of their accounts – “Operations and Projects” and “Clubs and Organizations.”

The clubs and organizations money is used for two main things: providing initial funds or allocating funding to help clubs with projects, events, conferences, and the like. The intention is to provide resources so organizations and the students in them can be successful. The same can be provided to individuals, but funding for individuals comes from the Operations and Projects account.

There are, of course, requirements to be met in order for this money to be allocated. Anyone requesting money would first need to visit the PSGA website and fill out a request for funding. This is received by PSGA’s Budget Committee, led by the business manager, and after reviewing the application the committee meets with the requesting party.

After meeting, the Budget Committee determines how much of the request they’ll recommend to full PSGA – known as the General Assembly – and it’s brought before General Assembly for a vote. Factors considered are usually things like need and evidence that the project will benefit both students and Park. For individuals requesting from the “Operations and Projects” account, evidence of other fundraising is required. The General Assembly must approve the request by a majority vote of Senate in quorum in order for any money to be allocated.

PSGA also takes on projects around campus that usually began internally, with a Senator or a committee presenting an idea and an action plan. Projects initiated by PSGA over the last few years have included the outdoor basketball court, the laptop rental kiosks, the InkCloud printers, the lights along the 6^th Street hill, the updated stairs and bridge to Chesnut Hall and two Earth Day 5k’s hosted on campus. Many of these were collaborative projects with funding coming from other organizations, such as Residence Hall Council, Pirate Fitness and the President’s office.

PSGA’s meetings are open to all students, and any student is welcome to attend and offer feedback and ideas. The meetings are at 12:15 p.m. every Friday in the Louise Morden Boardroom in the underground. Their website also offers pictures, details about the organization and instructions for requesting funds. Visit psga.park.edu