Minimum GPA requirement for SGA executives possible
A strict minimum GPA for members of SGA’s executive board could be instituted as early as next Fall.
Already passing through the SGA Senate with the needed two thirds vote twice, the proposition to establish a minimum GPA for all SGA executive members will be a referendum added to the ballot that includes Mr. and Ms. Georgia College. This vote has the most student participation than any of the others with around 61 percent of the student body voting in the most recent one according to SGA president Zach Mullins.
“Compared to other school in the state, we have some of the highest voter turnouts for elections,” Mullins said.
The proposed GPA on the referendum will be set at 2.75.
“Right now the minimum GPA is 2.3, but that isn’t technically spelled out in the university constitution for the president and other executives,” Mullins said. “It’s just kind of understood.”
This proposed GPA does not include a grandfather clause for current SGA members. If they do not have the minimum required GPA the officer will not be able to hold their current office.
“There is also no provision for students with learning disabilities,” Mullins said. “It is going to be a very strict minimum with very little room for any exceptions to the rule.”
This proposed minimum GPA will be higher than those for most RSA executives, which is currently a 2.33.
Mullins doesn’t necessarily think GPA is an accurate reflection on how well someone can perform at one of these jobs.
“I don’t think there is a correlation between that and leadership ability,” Mullins said.
Other students feel the same way as Mullins.
“I have a lot of friends who are incredibly smart, but I would never trust them in a position like that,” said junior marketing major Kimmie Wingo. “Leadership has much more to do with being able to relate with people and being able to make tough decisions.”
Some students believe that leadership ability or not, SGA members should set an example for the rest of the student body.
“The SGA president and other executives should be a hardworking student because they should be a role model for every other student on campus,” said senior digital art major Autumn Day.
Other students think that GPA shouldn’t be the only thing considered in this vote.
“They represent the college and should be able to maintain a good GPA as well as participating in some extracurricular activities,” said senior middle grades education major Lindsey Bryant.
Mullins hopes many students come out to vote for new SGA members along this new addition to the university constitution.
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