SGA launches 69th session amid rising political pressure, impacts
SU's Student Government Association will host various events this semester aimed at boosting student engagement, promising efforts to remain inclusive. This comes amid growing political tensions and university changes. Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer
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As the fall 2025 semester begins, Syracuse University’s Student Government Association is prepared to create a more welcoming and diverse community entering the first semester of its 69th session.
Despite growing political tensions and university changes, SGA leaders are feeling prepared to navigate the semester, SGA President German Nolivos said. He said politics’ impacts on students will be one of the biggest challenges the association faces this semester.
In July, SU announced it would close its Office of Diversity and Inclusion and replace it with the Office of People and Culture within the Office of Human Resources. The association responded with a statement regarding the closure, stating it is “working closely with the University to understand and navigate this transition.”
“Understanding how different decisions federally affect students and how to be one step ahead of that to make sure that every single student can have the best culture that we can,” Nolivos said.
Despite the change, Nolivos said SGA has built “response systems” in case of “political changes,” along with ways to support students amid unprecedented times. The association is also building more transparent communication systems to ensure students are aware of how funding is being allocated, he said.
SGA is also working on internal efforts to ensure its efficiency and transparency by organizing its “regular office housekeeping tasks,” Nolivos said.
Throughout the semester, SGA will also host various events aimed at boosting student engagement, staying consistent with its promise of inclusivity to everyone on campus.
SGA is currently planning its annual Harvest Fest, one of its biggest events of the fall, he said. The association is partnering with University Union and Greek Council to include more campus organizations, hoping to increase student involvement.
“There’s always a huge gap between those two different types of student life, so doing more collaboration with Greek life and Harvest is going to be amazing, especially with just combining it,” Nolivos said.
Throughout the semester, SGA also hopes to solidify its name change from the former “Student Association” to “Student Government Association” through increased communication with the student body and faculty.
Plans to grow the grocery transportation system are also being discussed, Nolivos said. Previously, students would be transported to various grocery stores on bus systems, but SGA plans to use SU shuttles this year, allowing for smoother transportation.
The association also has open seats on its student assembly and its finance board. Students can apply to join SGA on its website.
“We’re a lot more prepared than we have ever been in the last couple of years,” Nolivos said. “I know the problems that normally present themselves right now.”
