We hope you’re as excited as we are about the Fall semester! If you have cold feet (or you’re just nervous) our amazing SGA—which stands for “Student Government Association”— has weeks of activities planned to make you feel right at home. These range from free coffee and donuts in the morning, to an awesome lunch-time activity with food trucks, a climbing wall, and a Club Fair.
If it sounds like fun, you should check it out. “The SGA Welcome Week is intended to inform students that TMCC is here to help them access the hands-on education that can give them an advance in today’s job market,” said SGA President Alexandra Patri. “Each time they make it through another semester, they are one step closer to their goal. [These events] are a great way to welcome incoming and current students to the fall semester.”
“We want to engage students, absolutely,” said SGA Vice-President Valeria Saborio. “That’s how I got to know [last year’s] SGA President and Vice President.”
Welcome Week events start on Monday, Aug. 26 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Student Center with free coffee, donuts, and school supplies for whoever wants them. Supplies include a free SGA Event planner to help keep you organized this academic year, notepads and other TMCC swag like water bottles. SGA officers will offer these morning and midday goodies and supplies all week long.
The TMCC Counseling Center, Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC), FLAMES, and Paws4Love therapy dogs will also be participating in Welcome Week Activities.
Food Truck Fun and Club Fair
Starting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, the SGA has other fun activities planned. Tuesday join your SGA officers in the Student Center from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. for a chocolate fountain and desserts. Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 3 & 4, join the SGA for “Food Truck Fun” at the TMCC Plaza on the Dandini Campus, where there will be lunch and dessert food trucks, a Club Fair and a Climbing Wall.
While food trucks are probably the main attraction, getting a sense of what clubs are on campus is also a good way for you to meet others who are interested in the same topics and causes you are. Take a glance at this list of Recognized Student Organizations to get a sense of what clubs are currently on campus. Don’t see one you’re interested in? Start your own!
Pssst: you get a coupon for the food trucks by visiting the Club Fair!
Bring your Athletic shoes for Field Day!
On Thursday, Sept. 4 from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., SGA is partnering with TMCC’s Wellness Committee and Athletics Department for an afternoon of fun in the sun! There will be Jenga, cornhole, tug of war, hula hooping and a ring toss.
“Welcome Week events help us to meet a lot of students,” said Saborio. “We schedule these events so we can engage with students who take morning classes or afternoon classes... for us, we want to talk to as many students as possible, so we can listen to their ideas and what they want to have happen on campus.”
Pasta with the President
While it’s not happening the first week of the semester, the SGA is also hosting a “Pasta with the President” event on Tuesday, Sept. 10 in Red Mountain 256 on the Dandini Campus that you should definitely put on your calendar. “Our goal is to promote student life as an enhancement to the overall learning experience, as well as ensuring the general welfare of all students and advocating for student rights and concerns,” said Patri.
Patri and Saborio encourage all students to attend the event, which is free and open to all TMCC students. “I love this event,” said Saborio. “You can stop by, have some free pasta and talk to the President of TMCC. She’s very open to all questions and she wants to hear from students about their wants and needs on campus.” The pasta lunch is provided by The Olive Garden.
So, if you have a moment this busy fall semester, we encourage you to stop by one (or all) of these events to get to know your SGA officers and what our campus community has to offer. If you do, you’re guaranteed at least one free meal and a positive start to this new semester.
For more information about the Student Government Association, contact their office in Red Mountain 121 on the Dandini Campus, or call them at 775-673-7203.