The Associate Student Government (ASC) has a legacy at Olivet Nazarene University. Within 2021 and 2022 this educational institution has said a lot of goodbyes but have said an equal number of warm hellos. This includes the transition from ASC to the Student Development Advisory Board (SDAG).
What is the SDAG?
Matt Smith the director of student engagement at Olivet Nazarene University reveals why they made such a big transition in the student development world.
“Is there a better way for the campus to get representation?” asked Smith. The short answer was yes. The Student Development Advisory Group, headed by Dr. Jason Stevens, was the perfect answer to this question, Smith said. Several students agree.
“I feel that with more perspectives, the Advisory Group allows for more productive and truth-seeking conversations to instill real and sustainable change,” said Spencer James, a student who participated in both committees. The SDAG is a group of around 50 students who sit on a peer-led board. The structure is similar to the previous program, ASC, but every director of student development is also a member of this board. They hand-pick key students to advocate, bring awareness, and better this campus from the student’s perspective.
These changes cascaded from the induction of a new president.
Why not ASC?
“We pulled out the big guns!” said Smith. ASC had a long rich history, but it was completely student led. Conversely, on the SDAG there are nine full-time staff members of the university, who have power to change things. There are issues now being addressed that staff in charge of student life didn’t recognize as an issue.
“Much of the advisory group is made of individuals who represent a large piece of the student body,” said James. ASC was also student elected and was sometimes considered partially a popularity contest. In addition, there was a lack of diversity. The SDAG is hearing from a wide variety of students, who may not be popular but have a point of view that would never be seen.
Knowing that we are finding real solutions, and seeing them in action, helps show how effective SDAG is doing to address organizational concerns.
— Spencer James, Student who served on both SDAG and asc
“There is better efficiency as a whole,” said Smith. Instead of students needing to reach staff members after holding meetings of their own at ASC meetings, they are already there. They are hearing the issues leave the mouths of students and can take immediate action, even while the meeting still happening, Smith said.
Where does this leave ONU student body?
Life’s 95% the little things
Matt SMith
Not only is Olivet Nazarene University an educational institution, but a place where students are meant to find community. The hope of Smith is that students at Olivet find success in every way possible. This includes student voices being heard by faculty and staff members at the University. The little things include student life, spiritual life, housing, admissions, athletics, multi-ethnic student services, and the list goes on. These are all areas that are now represented on the student advisory board.
“Research shows that if you are not connected in community that you won’t persist to graduation,” said Smith. There are major academic concerns for both students and parents, but this is an Institution with a Christian purpose. As Christians, we are called to live in community, he said.
“Some of the topics we discuss are long-standing issues that have never been truly addressed to the point of being fixed,” said James. This shows that issues are being resolved in an effective and timely manner. Students can see and report responses to peers. There is also follow-through of issues that were addressed in the past, but now there are tangible responses.
