Presidential Report

Florida Gulf Coast University
Student Government
20th Executive Administration

In order to more effectively and successfully represent the Student Body at Florida Gulf Coast University, the following is an executive report on the progress made over the first one hundred days in office.

Florida Student Association:

The Florida Student Association exists to advocate the interests of students in the State University System to all levels of state and federal government. The Florida Student Association is a committee that is compromised of the current student body presidents from each university in the State University System. The Florida Gulf Coast University’s Student Executive Branch has already attended three FSA meetings. The Executive Branch’s goal with FSA is to ensure that the desires of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Student Body are fulfilled at the state level. Florida Gulf Coast University’s Student Body has unique needs that should not be decided by older universities that have little understanding of the unique challenges faced by FGCU’s students. The FSA meetings took place at the University of Florida, University of South Florida, and Florida Atlantic University. At these meetings the Executive Branch were integral parts of:

• Appointing the FSA Chair Tonnette Graham, Internal Vice-Chair Cait Zona, and External Vice-Chair Alexis Calatayud.
• Appointing Vincent Evans to serve as the FSA Board of Directors Special Assistant.
• Attending the FSA retreat that focused on rebranding FSA and ensuring that the mission and vision truly serve the best interest of the students of Florida.
• Ensuring that FSA meetings will return to Florida Gulf Coast University’s Campus
• Choosing Young Invincible as a partnering organization of FSA

Campus Visits:

Florida Gulf Coast University’s Student Government is constantly evolving and looking to learn from and avoid the mistakes made by other institutions. The Student Government has traveled to universities across the state to better identify ways to increase Student Government’s efficiency and transparency. Student Government, in the first one hundred days, has met with their counterparts at the University of South Florida in Tampa, University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, and the University of Florida in Gainesville. In order to showcase the unique and endearing qualities of FGCU, the Executive Branch has hosted their counterparts from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Florida International University.

Board of Trustees:

The Florida Gulf Coast University’s Board of Trustees is the governing board of the University. There are twelve members of the board of trustees that are appointed by Florida’s Governor. The thirteenth member of the Board of Trustees is the Student Body President, Thieldens Elneus. The Student Body President’s sole responsibility, as a member of the Board of Trustees, is to advocate for the Student Body’s issues and vision for the future. In the first one hundred days as a member of the Board of Trustees, the Student Body President has attended all three meetings. At those three meetings, President Elneus has:

• Informed the Board of Trustees of the Student Initiatives for the upcoming academic year
• Agreed, with other members, to review and discontinue academic programs following the Administration’s model.

Eagle Radio:

Eagle Radio Station is a student station that will offer eclectic music, student outreach, talk shows, and debate opportunities. The vision of Eagle Radio is to connect Florida Gulf Coast University, foster a sense of school pride, and most importantly build a strong sense of community. The Executive Branch, in the first one hundred days of office, has begun the initial process of seeing this vision come to life. The Executive Branch has begun purchasing vital equipment needed to start Eagle Radio and started the process of finding a permanent location for the station.

T-Shirt Exchange:

The Executive Branch is excited to announce that there is a new design of the official Florida Gulf Coast University Student Government t-shirt exchange shirt. The primary goal of the t-shirt exchange program is to build EAGLE Pride. All students have to do is exchange shirts that support other university and colleges for our new FGCU shirt. You can find a t-shirt exchange at some of the key events on campus throughout the year.

University Meetings:

The Executive Branch has held numerous meetings around campus. In the first one hundred days, the Executive Branch has met with Police Chief Moore, University President Bradshaw, the University Provost, and representatives from the Athletic Department, the Financial Aid Office, WGCU, and Business Operations. These meetings are an integral part of advocating for students and implementing student led initiatives.

Governor’s Press Conference:

Florida Gulf Coast University’s Student Government was proud to represent the Student Body at Governor Rick Scott’s Press Conference. The press conference was held at a local glass manufacturer and was focused on state wide tax cuts.

Dining Services Selection:

The Executive Branch is actively engaged in the process to select the next dining service provider for Florida Gulf Coast University. We have selected two students and Executive Branch members to sit on the selection committee. The current provider, Aramark, is in the process of renewing their contract with the University. The Executive Branch is ensuring that the selection of a dining services provider is done with the best interest of the Student Body in mind.

GO EAGLES!

Thieldens Elneus
Florida Gulf Coast University
Student Body President, FGCU Board of Trustee