Student government leaders at the University of South Carolina will focus tightly on student needs for the upcoming term

by Jennifer Iler
April 8, 2014
Last Edited: May 5, 2014

Both student body President Lindsay Richardson and student body Vice President Donnie Iorio agreed during interviews last week that Richardson’s campaign slogan ‘Let’s Reach’ directly embodies their wish to fulfill student needs to the fullest of their ability in the 2014-2015 year.

Student government does a lot of behind the scenes work, but also implements programs to benefit campus life for USC students. Last year’s executive office, led by former student body President Chase Mizzell, addressed student needs with programs designed to benefit them directly. 

Walk Home Cocky, currently in its pilot phase, addresses many student’s night-time safety concerns by escorting students back to residence halls from campus locations like the Thomas Cooper Library. The Gamecock Pantry, a University of South Carolina food bank set up as a resource for students who are tight on food money, is another program organized last term designed to ease the financial struggle some students face.

“People don’t understand until it’s explained to them, usually, that some of our fellow Gamecocks don’t have enough money to eat,” Iorio (shown below, left) said. “And so the Gamecock Pantry provides a supplement for those hungry Gamecocks. I think that’s really the work of student government at it’s best — is really helping our students.”

Both programs will continue to be developed throughout the next term. 

Helping out the students here at USC is the main reason President Richardson decided to run for office.

“Over the years I’ve figured out that I really did care about the students here and wanted to make sure the student experience is getting better and would be the best it could be before I left,” Richardson (shown above, right) said.

President Richardson is only the second African-American female to serve as the student body president at USC. It’s only fitting that she was elected on the 50th anniversary of the university’s desegregation.

Senator Phillip Allan of the College of Arts and Sciences said he is excited to work with President Richardson this term.

“She’s really wanting to make sure that on-campus students are really heard and their voices are heard,” Allan said. “I’ve really supported the way that she’s tried to make sure students have more  of a chance.”

With the new chapter system underway in the senate, Allan says they can finally get down to business and focus on what students want. Brainstorming ideas for the improvement of student living at USC should be right around the corner.