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Legacy of Hoffman era President speaks to changes in SGA during his term

The Setonian recently sat down with Timothy Hoffman, the current president of the Student Government Association, to discuss his presidency as it comes to a close. Hoffman, a senior political science major and trustee on the Hackensack Board of Education, discussed his very first experiences with the SGA. “I first joined SGA as a freshman. I interviewed for one of the Freshman Senator positions and was selected in that process. Later that year, I ascended to the role of Finance Committee Chairman, where I worked with the committee and the SGA Treasurer to allocate funds to our SGA-recognized organizations,” he said. Hoffman went on to win positions as commuter senator (and worked with the SGA Treasurer to allow Seton Hall clubs more control over their individual budgets), and eventually president in April of last year. Hoffman took over former SGA President Joe Donato’s position with a plan already prepared. Some of his main goals included “overhauling the internal processes of student government, working more closely and effectively with administration, building a better relationship with the Village of South Orange, and most importantly, really interacting with the student body more effectively,” he said. Hoffman is proud of all the hard work he and his fellow SGA members have put into enacting these changes. During Hoffman’s term, the SGA rewrote the Constitution and Bylaws, and established a stronger relationship with South Orange Village. The association reached out to students to hear their concerns and act upon them. “We had TimTalks, Constituency open forums, a Town Hall, and an Ice Cream Social Town Hall,” said Hoffman, “which all sought to create new opportunities for students to engage with their representatives (in South Orange), and we gained a lot of important feedback from these events.” Hoffman considers his finest achievement during his presidency to be the SGA’s increased interaction and more open dialogue with the SHU student body. “Often people think of SGA as a close-minded organization that doesn’t help them,” said Hoffman, “but we have really worked hard to change that.” TimTalks allowed students to voice their concerns to the SGA President personally, as did “mobile TimTalks,” which entailed senators and other SGA representatives visiting students’ dorm rooms to hear their questions and requests. By effectively breaking down the bureaucratic barrier between students and the SGA, Hoffman’s administration has been able to work towards placing printers in Stafford Hall and several dorms, extending gym and dining hours, and reviving SHU Spirit Week, according to Hoffman. Miranda Hajduk, junior English major and president of the English Club on campus, can attest to SGA’s dedication to the SHU student body. “I can tell that SGA works hard to make an efficient system for student organizations to run tons of cool events for the students they serve,” she said. Kiersten Lynch, a sophomore, agrees. “I really appreciate how SGA is working to make the cafeteria hours longer and how they show support for our SHUFL club (Seton Hall United for Life),” she said. With the end of his presidential term drawing near, Hoffman said he has complete confidence in his successors’ ability to continue the positive work that he has done with the SGA. “Moving forward, I know SGA is in great hands with Teagan Sebba as president,” Hoffman said. “She is a fantastic leader and an amazing person who brings excitement and energy to SGA.” Noora Badwan can be reached at noora.badwan@student.shu.edu.

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