Last month Juniata held Student Government elections for the 2014-2015 academic year. Kunal Atit was elected President and has some big plans for next year, so lets meet this week’s Campus Celebrity!
Name: Kunal Atit
Hometown: North Wales, PA
Year: Sophomore
POE: Economics
When did you start getting involved with Student Government at Juniata?
I got involved with Student Government at the end of my freshmen year when I ran for Sophomore Class President.
How does it feel to be the new Student Government President?
It’s honestly humbling. Student Government has historically been an influential body on campus. For example, it’s the reason why we have POE’s here at Juniata. Over the last decade or so, however, Student Government has gotten away from being a strong, active body. I was lucky enough to be graced with the honor of serving the school, but with that also comes responsibility. I, along with the rest of my executive board and senate, preside over a $200,000 budget funded by the student activity fee. I ran on the platform that I would ensure that money would be used more effectively, and now the rest of Student Government, including myself, needs to follow through.
What are some of your plans for next year?
First, we need to start getting Student Government back to a state where it speaks for the student body on important issues. That’s why I plan for Student Government to tackle the issue of sexual assault on campus during the first month of next year. Also we need to get our fiscal house in order. We will open our books and the books of clubs on campus to ensure that money is being used as effectively as possible. Third, we need to raise more awareness of what the body can do for students around campus. One idea is for Student Government to provide funding to students with really great ideas on how to improve the school.
What other campus activities are you involved with?
I am involved with WKVR and JC Safer, but honestly I really want to be part of everything from here on out, I’ve been dropping in on club meetings, big and small, over the last month trying to get a complete picture of club culture on campus. If Student Government wants to resume being an effective force on campus it really needs to understand the clubs it’s in charge of, and I really believe that starts with me.
What is your favorite memory of Juniata?
That’s probably one of the hardest question I’ve ever been asked, hbecause any time I’m with my friends is filled with great moments. But if I had to choose I would probably have to go with my Mr. Juniata performance during my freshmen year.