How often do you get to chat with a member of your own government? 

The Student Government Association (SGA) hosted its second annual “Grub with the Gov” event in Reisner Dining Hall on Thursday. 

SGA President Aven Bittinger and Sens. Robert Giulian and Joshua Bream met with students and gave away T-shirts in exchange for taking a survey asking for feedback.

SGA planned the event to bring students closer with SGA. 

“I think the biggest critique of SGA is the perception that we always just stay in our office. This is us making more of an intentional step to get out of that area,” Bittinger said.

While SGA encountered some initial difficulties in making sure there were enough T-shirts to distribute, Giulian said that SGA and dining services were able to coordinate to not obstruct foot traffic.

SU senior Darius Tademy partook in the survey and spoke with SGA.

“I know they do a lot of important things, so it’s definitely better for the student body and most of the university itself for SGA to reach out to the students to know what more they can do and how good of a job they’re doing,” Tademy said.

“Grub with the Gov” started last year when Sen. Robert Giulian proposed the event to connect with the daily lives of students on campus. 

When asked what the SGA hopes to achieve with the event, Giulian said SGA will use the feedback to better advocate for students.

“Students don’t know that student government is there for them. We are there for them 24/7, seven days a week. This event lets students have a voice to tell student government what they want to see happen,” Giulian said. “We’re the liaison between the student body and the administration. We’re trying to push for what the students want to see.”

SGA is planning future projects, such as a partnership with the YMCA in Harrisburg and a possible leadership dinner.

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