Shippensburg University’s Student Government Association (SGA) hosted its first meeting for the 2025-2026 academic year in CUB 119 on Sept. 18.

Thursday afternoon’s meeting focused heavily on student group updates for the fall 2025 semester. It was noted by several SGA senators that there was a noticeable increase in student interest in campus events over the past month.

The meeting began at 4 p.m. with opening remarks from SGA President Nathan Garber, after which the floor was given to Associate Provost Tracy Schoolcraft, who gave an update on the academic integrity policy from the Office of Academic Affairs.

Schoolcraft announced the changing of academic dishonesty procedures to the new academic integrity policy system. The reason for the shift is to promote a growth mindset in students and faculty on matters relating to integrity violations like plagiarism.

Students may have noticed the new Academic Integrity Training course on D2L. According to Schoolcraft, although the training is not required to graduate, there may be faculty who encourage their students to do the training.

In officer reports, Vice President Daniel McCleary reminded the audience of the upcoming SGA elections. The voting period for the elections opened on Monday, Sept. 22 and will last until Thursday, Sept. 25. An email was sent to students on Monday for the link to vote. Another email will be sent this week.

Officer reports were followed by a report from each of the attending SGA senators, who gave remarks on recent and upcoming student activities across campus.

Class of 2027 senator Kyle Marzullo gave his report on the number of interested students he met at the Campus Activity Fair on Sept. 4.

“It seems overall that the class of 2029 is really interested in student government and participating on campus,” Marzullo said. “That appetite we’ve been trying to build over the past couple of years is finally here, so I ask senators to please reach out and try and spread the word.”

According to Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) senator Marlon Aristy, MSA was among the many campus groups that saw a positive trend in student numbers. Aristy also brought attention to SUnity Week, which began Monday, Sept. 22.

At the end of SUnity Week on Friday is the 2025 “A Quilt to Cover Us All” unveiling. According to Aristy, over 80 panels have been given out, which is the largest in campus history. The unveiling will include a tribute to former MSA Director Diane Jefferson.

Following board, university committee reports and open gallery reports, SGA unanimously approved three motions. First was a motion to approve the SGA sponsorship of Family Day followed by a motion to approve Budget and Finance Committee voting rights for the eight new members.

One new student group was unanimously approved. The new group is Women’s Club Soccer, which will be advised by the director of fraternity and sorority life Dylan Curtis.

SGA President Nathan Garber announced that candidate speeches would be held following the meeting at 5 p.m. in McFeely’s.

Thursday’s meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m

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