Dear Members of the Rollins Community,
We are so grateful to have been able to hit the ground running this year with barely a bump in the road thus far. More importantly, we are grateful to be in partnership with YOU in our mission of “Creating Connections and Pursuing Progress.” Together, we have made meaningful strides toward our shared goals, and we are excited to continue building on this momentum. Your ongoing support and collaboration are essential to our success, and we look forward to an impactful year ahead!
In this letter, you will find three key successes from our first 30 days in office as well as three areas for growth based on major concerns we are hearing from many students. These concerns highlight opportunities for further improvement in the student experience, and we hope to address them together.
THREE SUCCESSES SO FAR
Full SGA Membership: For the first time in recent Rollins history, the Student Government Executive Board and Senate had more people interested in positions than positions available. New areas of administration and campus life are better represented to the student body, and students’ wants and needs can go to those who can best address them. Our Executive Board met 4 times during the summer and spent 2 40-hour weeks planning meetings, initiatives, and our strategy for the year.
Growth in Shared Governance: Through strategic collaboration and persistence, the Student Government Association has gained access to discussions and decision-making rooms that it had never been part of before. Whether it’s new administrative meetings or key campus initiatives, SGA is now better positioned to advocate for students at the highest levels, ensuring their perspectives are heard where it matters most. Pool and Johnson alone have a presence in the Dining Services Culinary Council, Faculty Executive Committee, Interfaith Council, Student Life Committee, VPs Lee, Stark, Tydlaska, and Kania, AVP Short, Deans Meyer, Briscoe, Trueblood, and Dr. Perez, Student Affairs Leadership Team, and the President’s Administrative Council as well as holding space in the Presidential Search Committee. The Executive Board and Senate have a presence in even more rooms across all aspects of Rollins life.
Student Life: We have worked hard with campus partners to enhance the student experience during the Fall semester. Some events, such as Culture Fest, were moved from the Spring to the Fall. It paid off, and we had a record turnout of nearly 200 Tars! SGA had a stronger Early Arrival presence and assisted with First Year move-in and orientation programming. SGA and Rollins Entertainment Programs have collaborated to create a new Homecoming tradition coming after Fall Break.
THREE AREAS FOR GROWTH
Commuter Experience: Rollins has a decent-sized commuter student population. Due to issues of traffic, distance, and timing of events, some of these students have expressed that they feel disconnected from campus life and excluded from key initiatives and events. This lack of engagement has impacted their sense of belonging, which plays a critical role in student retention. Without intentional efforts to involve commuter students in activities and foster connections with their peers, many feel isolated and less likely to remain invested in the campus community. Creating more inclusive opportunities for commuters to participate in events and initiatives is essential to ensuring they feel as valued and integrated as their residential counterparts, ultimately improving overall retention rates.
Our Response: We intend to create a Commuter Senator position in SGA. We have met regularly with Dr. Michelle Perez, Executive Director of Retention and Student Success, to brainstorm ways to better include commuters in campus activities. We are looking to collaborate more with leaders of student organizations to host events and programs at earlier or more flexible times. Additionally, the Commuter Lounge has been revamped and made more comfortable for commuter students to spend time in.
Recycling and Sustainability: Students have expressed increased interest in issues surrounding sustainability initiatives on campus. The removal of the Marketplace’s composting system and the lack of centralized recycling bins or locations on campus have hampered the campus’s overall environmental consciousness.
Our Response: Our Sustainability Senator sent out a survey to many campus stakeholders to gather feedback. Based on the nearly 70 responses, SGA has been working with the administration and the faculty. Dining Services have begun to use more eco-friendly packaging in the C-Store and has added an ORCA Digester to turn food waste and food scraps into water for plants.
Tuition Increases and Messaging: In focus groups, Senate open forum, private discussions, and wider campus conversations, students have expressed worry about the increases in tuition that they will face and when they will find out if they can still afford to attend Rollins.
Our Response: Our Chair of Finance, alongside our President and Vice President, has been meeting regularly with the VP and AVP of Finance and the VP of Enrollment Management to discuss how student scholarships and financial support can be increased both in scope and accessibility. The Finance team has agreed to take our input on the tuition messaging before it goes out and has committed to distributing it before November.
As we move forward, it is clear that student concerns present valuable growth opportunities. By addressing these challenges head-on and maintaining our focus on connection and collaboration, we can create a more inclusive and supportive campus environment. Together, we will continue to build a stronger Rollins where all students feel valued and engaged, ensuring the success and retention of everyone in the Rollins Community.
Yours Truly,
Joseph Pool, President of the Student Government Association
Eltavious Johnson, Vice President of the Student Government Association
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