Liz Mantush | staff writer

Have you ever had a complaint, wondered who funds the Loop Bus or tried to find who can help you make changes on campus?

Duquesne University’s Student Government Association (SGA) might be the answer.

Led by President Nick Miller, SGA is the bridge between students and Duquesne’s administration.

“We’re advocates for the student body,” Miller said. “What does the student body want? That’s my No. 1 concern, whether I agree with it or not.”

The organization operates through funds allocated by the Center for Student Involvement at the beginning of each academic year.

SGA oversees the formation of clubs and organizations on campus. Also, the Loop Bus, which runs through the Oakland and South Side neighborhoods, the new museum initiative, which allows students to access Pittsburgh’s museums free of charge, and the Night of Lights celebration are all funded directly by SGA.

Claudio Simone, the executive vice president of finance, who oversees the budget, said that there is transparency between the student body and SGA, specifically with the budget.

“I always want to be transparent with the way we’re allocating money, and I also want to be transparent in how we’re funding student initiatives,” he said.

Samiya Henry, executive vice president of mission and community, said her newly added position is to ensure that the Duquesne University Mission is incorporated into everything the university does.

Henry said she aims to do this by ensuring that every student’s voice is heard and represented.

Henry describes the role as “intersectional” meaning her efforts do not reside with just one group, but with the entire student population regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or economic status.

“For me personally, it’s really exciting because I am a person in the margins, so it’s nice to know that in the past I’ve made those spaces for myself, but now I’ve made spaces for other students to feel more comfortable going into and knowing that they can receive the help and resources and just the attention they need,” Henry said.

Students can get involved with SGA through emailing any of the representatives, attending meetings or contacting the SGA Instagram directly. Open forums are hosted at the bi-weekly meetings, where students can voice their opinions, ask questions and gain insight on the happenings around campus.

Liz Mantush can be reached at mantushe@duq.edu