By Sanyah Taylor
The 78th session of the student government at UNC Pembroke was a whirlwind of introductions, updates, and passionate student advocacy. Key university leaders joined students to tackle everything from long lines at Chick-fil-A to major state budget issues, showing that student voices are a top priority.
The meeting kicked off with several important introductions. Dr. Derek Oxendine, the new Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success, pledged to attend all future meetings. This commitment signals a strong, direct line of communication between students and university administration.
Students also heard from two key campus figures: Dr. James B. Bass, the Executive Director of the Givens Performing Arts Center (GPAC), encouraged students to get involved with the arts. He highlighted that GPAC offers more than just big-name shows; it also hosts university events and performances. He even announced some upcoming events, including a Broadway tour of “The Addams Family” in September and a concert by actor Keith David in November. He reminded students that their ticket to these events is free and that GPAC is always looking for students to attend shows.
Dr. Renee “Dr. L” Lamphere, the Chair of the Faculty Senate, shared her excitement to work with students. As a key academic policymaker, she encouraged students to bring their concerns to her, stressing that individual issues can often point to bigger, system-wide problems. She also invited students to attend Faculty Senate meetings, which are held on the first Wednesday of every month.
The heart of the meeting was an open floor discussion where students voiced a wide range of concerns. Student leaders followed up on these issues by reporting on their meetings with different university departments.
Students expressed frustration over extremely long wait times at Chick-fil-A and issues with the new Grubhub ordering system. SGA leaders explained that this was due to severe understaffing at the start of the semester. However, they reported that staffing has improved and that service should return to normal by mid-September. They also offered a pro tip: use the Grubhub+ Premium feature, which is free for all students with a meal plan, to order ahead and avoid the lines.
Another hot topic was the perception that the university has a “party ban.” Students felt that parties were being shut down too quickly, which they believe pushes students to drink and drive off campus. University administration clarified that policies haven’t changed. The university’s main concern is student safety, and they are actively working with the Chancellor and Public Safety to explore safe, on-campus events where legal-age students could responsibly consume alcohol.
In a big change for the semester, students learned that two major parking lots across the tracks are no longer free. The CSX railroad company has partnered with a private company, Preferred Parking, to lease the lots for a profit. Students who park there without paying will be ticketed and towed. SGA leaders plan to release a graphic guide to help students find the best free commuter parking on campus.
Finally, student leaders addressed issues with a new student portal and confusion over textbook charges. They reminded students that the new website is a one-stop-shop and that they will be releasing a guide to help students navigate it. Additionally, they explained that a new UNC System policy requires all courses paid for by financial aid to be part of a student’s official plan of study. This new rule can make it tricky for double majors or students who take extra courses, but the university is working to make the process smoother.
The meeting concluded with the unanimous approval of the SGA budget and the swearing-in of two new officers: Madison McNeil as Senate Pro Tempore and Owen Phillips as Parliamentarian. The SGA is still looking to fill a few open Senate seats in the upcoming special elections. The deadline to apply is August 31. This is a great opportunity for students to get involved and make a difference on campus.