Student Club Spotlight: Undergraduate Student Government

Undergraduate Student Government is one of the many Student Club Organizations on the Marion Campus to get involved in. In the past, USG has helped implement Graduation Celebration for Seniors, making Student Club Funding more about students, advocating to update classroom furniture on campus, helping students find answers to their questions, and bridging the gap between students and faculty/staff on campus.

We asked USG members about their participation in the club, what they’ve accomplished, and what they gained from being in the club, especially in a high standing leadership position.

USG is still accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Academic Year! Don’t miss this opportunity to be a leader on campus. Contact Karen Leuthold.12 or Sanders.822 for an application and get involved!

If you ever have any issues or questions you’d like to bring up to USG, please don’t hesitate to contact them at their email:  or reaching out to President Bayli Sanders.822 or club advisor Karen Leuthold.12

           

 

Nathan Baker, Senior Senator 
Him/His/He
Rank: Senior
Major: Psychology, Business minor

I became a USG member because in my work as a peer leader, I was hearing concerns and student issues that I wanted to be able to directly address at a university level. I knew a few people who were already involved with USG and it seemed like a place where I could help do a lot of good in the campus community.
Most of my efforts in USG have been focused on helping improve communication between students and staff (e.g. working to help improve advisor-student interactions, or bringing concerns about the facilitates to the attention of staff) and also working with other USG members to bring things like an on campus graduation celebration to Marion, or advocating for additional mental health support systems. Currently, I’m working to help staff and faculty move graduation events to an online format.
One thing USG has helped me do is to self-direct projects on my own, i.e. to come up with an issue I would like to help address and then figure out how to go about solving that issue. It’s also helped me learn to work with people more effectively when addressing problems, from helping understand the needs of a wide range of students to also learning to work with, and communicate student concerns to, administrators such as Dean Rose.
Bayli Sanders, President 
She/Her/Hers
Rank: Junior
Major: Early Childhood Education

 

I was inspired to join because I  wanted to make a difference. In the big scheme of things, no one is going to remember who I am. But I’ll remember what I did to make our campus the best it can be and I’ll know that I helped students in some way. That’s the most rewarding feeling, to know you took charge and helped others.

Since becoming a member, I have helped complete projects of every size to help benefit students. I have also been put on multiple committees as the student voice because I want what’s best for the students.

Leadership and time management are the two main strengths I’ve gained from being a member of Undergraduate Student Government. But I also gained the strength of knowing I have a voice and what we say matters.

 

Sabrina Helman, Senior Senator 
She/Her/Hers
Rank: Senior
Major: Marketing

I didn’t originally seek out USG. In fact, I didn’t even know really what it was. But another member of the club had seen my actions every semester asked if I would be interested in joining. You see, every semester I found myself fighting for the rights of the students, and trying to make OSU a better learning environment for all students. From seeking out advocacy for disabilities students to helping new professors get the proper guidance and assistance they needed. It wasn’t until my Senior year that I found out about USG and what they stand for. These students do exactly what I have been trying to do since I started College 4 years ago.

I saw the changes they were able to make and it excited me to even be a small part of that change. A true chance to give students a voice, so I joined. USG has given me the chance to not only learn more about the university but it allowed me to see that just a few students could make such a large difference in so many lives at this beloved college. This club has the greatest strength of all, giving students a voice.

 

Amber Alexander, Treasurer 
She/Her/Hers
Rank: Junior
Major: English (concentration in Literature)
Minors: Professional Writing, Creative Writing, History

I’ll be honest, when I first joined USG I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Joining such a prominent club on campus was at first a little intimidating. But it didn’t take long for me to make friends and start to feel comfortable in my position. In middle school, I was elected Secretary in Student Council, but it was only because we voted by speeches read anonymously over the intercom. I wasn’t included in meetings, planning for events, etc. When it came to high school, it was such a popularity contest that even if I wanted to run on a solid platform, I’d never be respected as a member. However, having this chance now that I’m more mature and in an environment where people want to see me thrive, I’ve really been able to use the voice I’ve been wanting to be on behalf of students and be a major part in changing this campus and community for the better.
USG instilled me with leadership and communication skills I didn’t even know I  could have, and continuously pushes me to be a better person and advocate.
Main project: Helping make student club funding more orientated towards students being in charge (2018-2020)

 

Erin Rollins, Secretary
She/Her/Hers
Major: Middle Childhood Education

 

I didn’t exactly plan to join USG, I was approached by one of the members (Bayli Sanders) about joining next autumn, and before I knew it they were voting to have me join that spring. I always wanted to join the student body government at my high school but I wasn’t very popular, or confident enough to get the chance, so I saw this as my chance to do something I’ve always wanted to do. So far with the help of a few of my fellow members, I have helped discuss ways to make our campus look more beautiful, and bright, through the use of a mural I designed, flowers, etc. although my time in the USG hasn’t been very long but I truly love my time in it and I can’t wait to continue representing my fellow student body in the best way I can.