The Students’ Association Congress pledges to “see every student connected, equipped and empowered,” according to its mission statement. As a way of fulfilling this mission statement, SA provides students with free resources – resources most students don’t take advantage of.
These resources include a copy machine equipped with a variety of colored paper, materials for creating banners and flyers, butcher paper, utensils for club events and myACU announcement space, said Luke Cochran, executive treasurer and senior finance major from Round Rock.
“It’s smaller and may be a little silly, but we also always have coffee, fruit and snacks down in the SA office,” Cochran said. “Students can stop by anytime.”
Tony Godfrey, vice president and junior political science and English major from Burleson, said students also have access to SA’s meetings, which are streamed live online; Collegiate Cards, which give students discounts at numerous retailers and restaurants in Abilene; and access to the Wildcat Express, an online directory of every recognized student organization on campus.
Students can also take advantage of an arts and crafts room fully equipped with paint and brushes, Godfrey said.
Cochran and Godfrey said although the resources seem obvious or trite, it is essential to make them available and keep an open line of communication regarding students’ needs.
“We’re elected by the students to be their voice and administration,” Cochran said. “You hear people campaign about relationships every year, and I think it’s important that officers in these positions follow through with those promises and make sure we’re connected with the student body.”
Cochran said members strive to maintain a relationship that allows students to voice their needs to SA members freely.
“I’d recommend that anything people want to see changed, to let us one of us know whenever they see us,” he said. “I think a more casual relationship makes it easier for students to let us know what they need rather than having to formally come down to the office. They can just stop us on the way to class.”
