By Shea Stine

The Quincy University financial crisis can seem overwhelming to students. Besides the numbers and corporate speak that can confuse students, there is a feeling that students, at the mercy of administrators, have to sit back and hope for the best.

Although the students can’t make board decisions or decide how or if the school makes it out of its financial hole, there is one campus organization that does give some power back to the students: Student Government Association.

SGA is the voice of the student body for the university. It is potentially the most effective way for students to voice issues on campus and change them. The current administration has made changes to the structure of student government in a move that was supposed to streamline the association as well as excite students about a new opportunity to make changes.

Four QU students have turned in applications to serve the students as either president or vice president.

Junior Matt Anderson is a presidential candidate with lofty goals for what SGA can do despite the recovery.

“I see the recovery as a positive thing for SGA,” he said. “I intend to make sure that the students are the first priority of this university as it recovers from its financial burden. I intend to work directly with administration to ensure that our campus’s infrastructure is improved to allow a better campus life for students.”

When asked how realistic his plans, which include working closely with Chartwells to improve campus dining, are in the framework of financial restrictions, Anderson offered both a simple and more complicated approach.

“Working closely with administration to see what’s possible and what’s not possible is the key to building a better campus for all,” he said. “I also plan on working with businesses in the Quincy area and the mayor to help implement a program that will rebuild this campus.”

Sophomore vice president hopeful Mary Argana thinks SGA has a unique role to play in bridging the gap between two big issues, the recovery and student life.

“I think the recovery is one of the best things that could happen to this school,” she said. “This deficit problem has given QU an opportunity to thrive instead of barely getting by. (Identifying the crisis) was the first necessary step towards a long term future for this school. Secondly, I think great schools start with the students. I’ve seen too many of my friends go home because they weren’t getting the experience they wanted.”

Argana, who is not running as part of a ticket, made it clear that although the students may not be happy with the current situation, they must take responsibility for their time in school.

“I believe it’s up to you as a student to seek out that experience,” she said. “It’s not going to drop in your lap. SGA has given the students an opportunity to be at the forefront of a movement and lead the student body to this transformation.”