For the first time in Delta State University\u2019s storied history, a student has earned an active voting role in the President\u2019s Cabinet.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 22, Allie Rose Parker, president of the Student Government Association, casted her first vote at President William N. LaForge\u2019s weekly cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge honor for me, and I\u2019m very thankful to be part of a university that places so much responsibility with the student body. I know that\u2019s not something you see every day,\u201d said Parker. \u201cIt\u2019s very humbling to have this opportunity, and I\u2019m extremely thankful it\u2019s happening during my years.\u201d<\/p>\n
LaForge, who has sworn to an all-inclusive approach during his presidency, said it was a no-brainer to include the SGA president as a voting member of his cabinet. During his inaugural State of the University address in 2013, LaForge announced the first addition of the SGA president on his cabinet as a non-voting member.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe decided that the student voice should become a student vote as well,\u201d said LaForge. \u201cI think it\u2019s the right thing to do to make sure our students are fully engaged to share in decision making on campus. It\u2019s also the result of a great track record of the SGA presidents who have served during my time at Delta State.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are proud to have Allie Rose on board, and we are excited to have her as a voting member,\u201d said LaForge. \u201cI think this will be a more complete way to share the authentic shared governance on campus. I encourage full student participation, and I think we\u2019ll be better off for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parker first started attending cabinet meetings in June after her election as SGA president.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really interesting to be part of the meetings and hear ideas bounce off all the important people on campus,\u201d said Rose. \u201cI\u2019m the youngest in the room, so I was a little intimated when I first started attending \u2014 but they absolutely include me in everything. They really make sure the students are represented well on the cabinet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parker said having the voting right is a big plus for the student population.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cabinet really does try and make the best decisions for the student body, but it\u2019s also really helpful for them to be able to turn to an active student and ask if the student body will like a particular decision,\u201d she said. \u201cI think it\u2019s really helpful for me to provide an opinion reflective of the student body.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very thankful to the SGA presidents before me who paved the way and gave me this opportunity to vote.\u201d<\/p>\n
Delta State now joins Mississippi Valley State University and the University of Southern Mississippi to include student body presidents as voting members of the president\u2019s cabinet.<\/p>\n