SGA announces plans for Harvest Fest, welcomes newly elected members
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Syracuse University’s Student Government Association welcomed 18 newly elected assembly members and discussed its 11% voter turnout at its regular Monday meeting.
The 11% reflects 1,635 student voters, up 1% from the spring 2026 elections. SGA President Emily Castillo-Melean welcomed the uptick, citing voter turnout as low as 3-5% in previous elections over the past three years.
After reciting the Oath of Office, new members were welcomed enthusiastically by returning assembly members, receiving a standing ovation from multiple executive members, including Vice President Max Lachut. He said he was “extremely proud” of all of the work behind the scenes during the fall election cycle.
Castillo-Melean and Lachut have met with various SU administrators over the past week, including Chancellor Mike Haynie and Vice President and Dean of Students Sheriah Dixon, to discuss “student concerns” and “student experiences.” They said they’re looking forward to a later meeting with Dean of Admissions Denny Nicholson to advocate for more merit scholarships for SU students.
The pair said they’re optimistic about the potential outcomes of this meeting after how “responsive” university administration has been thus far.
“Understanding the economic climate that every 18- to 23-year-old is facing is important,” Castillo-Melean said. “We are doing what we can in our capacities (as SGA) to expand these opportunities for students.”
This comes as SU continues to face a 1.5% operating deficit for the 2026-27 fiscal year after missing its fall enrollment target.
SGA’s University Affairs Committee is currently working on an initiative advocating for the acceptance of Medicaid at the Barnes Center at the Arch.
The initiative is seeking student testimony after an assembly member found Barnes doesn’t currently accept Medicaid as a valid form of student health insurance. The committee is working to gauge how much of the student body is affected by this issue before moving forward.
SGA is looking forward to its “largest event of the fall semester,” Harvest Fest, in collaboration with University Union and Greek Council. Hosted at Walnut Park on Oct. 18 from 1-5 p.m., Harvest Fest is free to attend and will include a farmers market, DJ competition, food trucks, a dunk tank and more, according to an Instagram announcement.
Two bills were passed, including a funding bill for the Café Con Leche event hosted by La L.U.C.H.A. and the SGA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. This bill was discussed during the Sept. 22 general assembly meeting and passed without contention during Monday’s meeting.
The second was the nomination of Emily Ramos for Board of Elections Commissioner. After minimal discussion, the bill also passed uncontested.
SGA will reconvene for its next general assembly meeting on Oct. 5.
Other Business:
- In collaboration with the Black Student Union, SGA is hosting a senior sunset event for the class of 2027 on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. on the Einhorn Family Walk.
- Orange Homecoming Week will take place Nov. 5 through Nov. 8.
- The Student and Government Affairs Committee is working with the Title IX office and Greek Council on an October event focused on Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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