2021 Changes in George Fox University Student Government

By: Honor Tamminga

  Under George Fox University's (GFU) new student government (ASC) leadership,  communication and accessibility have undergone a transformation. The current president, Micah Mensing, and vice president, Olivia Grijalva, aim to leave a mark on this year and years to come. 

Through regular update videos, emails, and the ASC instagram account, ASC representatives are working to be more transparent and accessible than in previous years. Mensing and Grijalva welcome feedback and input from students. They provide information about open office hours with ASC officers in every student email.

Mensing and Grijalva are interested in listening to the diverse opinions of the GFU student body. ASC is working with the Intercultural Resource Center (IRC) to revamp their Racial Justice and Equity subcommittee to better represent student needs. Grijalva also mentioned she has met with campus pastor Jamie Noling-Auth and connected with Spiritual Life. “We’re getting all the angles of what the school thinks,” Grijalva said. Two of their more charged topics are the propositions to revise the GFU alcohol policy and provide menstrual hygiene resources. Students are able to monitor the progress of these projects by reading weekly email updates. 

Mensing and Grijalva spent much of the summer preparing  for this year. This fall, their schedules have been full: attending meetings, proposing ideas, and establishing GFU’s Student Government. This means a lot of work for both of them and the rest of their team, but from all appearances, they seem to thrive off of the pressure. “It’s fun to feel productive,” Mensing said. “I love it.”

Micah Mensing and Olivia Grijalva. Photo courtesy: https://www.instagram.com/p/CMLpbvcBgF4/

According to Mensing, most of the issues that ASC seeks to address are “almost too obvious.” For example, the Disability Awareness and Advocacy subcommittee is hoping to increase accessibility to buildings around campus by proposing the installation of more electronic door openers.

While the immediate actions Grijalva and Mensing are taking this year are extremely important, perhaps the most important thing that they are doing for GFU is creating a foundation for the future of Student Government. “We want to set up [the] Student Government for success in the future and make sure that nothing gets left behind,” Grijalva said. In this vein, the two have been focusing on how to best prepare future ASC leaders.

As they propose policy changes, establish subcommittees, and serve GFU, Grijalva, Mensing, and the entire ASC team also work to become a visible presence at GFU. They hope this work will bring change and growth to the school, not only now, but in the years to come.

Check out ASC’s instagram: @gfu.asc