The 13th administration of the Howard University Student Association (HUSA) Senate hosted its first State of the University Address for this academic year last week in Frederick Douglass Hall.
The Sept. 4 address, which was open to all Howard students, featured speeches that discussed the shortage of on-campus housing, safety, transparency and accomplishments from student leaders including Senate Chairwoman Marlee Williams, HUSA President Jay Jones and Elections Commissioner Tyla McAffity, among others.
“When you ask me about the state of our university, I would say that we are in a state of transition,” Jones said in her speech addressing housing, safety, academic, tradition and voting topics.
Jones pointed out the dedication of her administration to minimize the lack of professors, residential housing and classroom spaces while cultivating new experiences.
She declared that the collaboration between the 64th administration and Howard’s administration led to the creation of 75 units in The Lanes, a new off-campus residence hall.
In addition, the collaboration has also resulted in the acceleration of the opening of Miner Hall for new academic buildings.
“The 64th administration is here to tell you that we are here to move our university onward beyond the transition, onward beyond the opposition, onward beyond the negotiation and onward to maximum strength,” Jones said.
Jones also announced that student press briefings open to Howard University media outlets and students will be conducted to discuss safety issues and ensure accountability and transparency, starting Sept. 9.
Jones explained a pilot program called “Leaders are Built at Home,” which implements housing authorities consisting of Resident Assistants and residents in all dormitories to serve as liaisons between the Office of Residence Life and HUSA. It is expected to launch by the end of September.
Like Jones, McAffity explained that the elections commission is dedicated to rebuilding the commission’s operations and sustaining them for future years.
“All elections moving forward are fully transparent and unbiased so that every student has full confidence in the integrity of the process,” McAffity said, unhappy about the low percentage of students voting in elections since the start of the use of the election buddy software.
During the address, Tariah Hyland, HUSA vice president, informed the attendees about a recent incident at Cook Hall.
According to a press release from HUSA, “[on] Sept. 1, 2024, the 64th administration of The Howard University Student Association (HUSA) was alerted about a sprinkler activation in Cook Hall. On Sept. 3, 2024, President Jay Jones and members of the HUSA 64 Executive Cabinet conducted a walkthrough of Cook Hall to assess the damage and establish a tentative repair timeline.”
HUSA’s press release stated they “found that five units in total were affected by the sprinkler system, and administrators worked diligently to relocate all affected students into a Howard University residence hall. The remediation process began promptly on Sept. 1 and continued throughout the week. HUSA 64 is in constant communication with the Howard University Office of Residence Life and dormitory building managers to ensure expedited repairs.”
Williams, a junior political science and sociology double major from Lakeville, Minnesota, is the chairwoman of the 13th administration HUSA Senate.
Williams said the State of the University Address, which takes place at the start of each semester, “is a space where elected student leaders come together to look back at the past school year and the work [they have] done [and] to continue positively impacting the students and the entire campus.”
Damon Christian Kimes, a junior transfer psychology major and chemistry minor from Atlanta, attended the address as a student concerned with the library hours.
“I think we should have a 24/7 library at Howard University. I think it would be really cool for students. It will help a lot,” Kimes said.
“The first State of the University Address is pretty good. Everyone seems inclusive, and it seems like a good gathering. It was cool to meet everyone, from the president to the royal court,” Kimes added.
Among the Royal Court, Miss Cathy Hughes School of Communications Jada White, a junior broadcast journalism major and history minor from Atlanta, attended to support the 86th Miss Howard and 48th Mister Howard University.
“I think it went well. I’ve actually never gone to one before, so I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect,” White said.
“It’s very inspiring and it just makes me hopeful for where Howard University is heading,” White said, referring to the growth of student leaders she recognized.
Seynabou Diop, a junior finance major and risk management minor from Virginia Beach, Virginia by way of Senegal, is a School of Business senator and finance committee chair for the 13th administration of the HUSA Senate.
Diop encourages students to stop by the Senate office in Blackburn if they have questions and make use of the money that originates from the student activity fee, which Diop said is approximately $170,000 for organizations.
“It’s a first come, first serve basis. We have been advertising our funding proposals, how much money we are allocating,” Diop said. “[You] guys are paying for this money. You might as well use it for your organizations, and request the money.”
According to the HUSA Constitution, Section One of Article IX, which was last modified by student referendum in Spring 2010, “[the] Student Activity Fee is $155 for each full-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in Howard University.”
According to the Institutional Research Assessment, the Spring 2024 enrollment was 12,941 including undergraduate, graduate and professional students.
Executive Coordinator of the Undergraduate Student Assembly Maia Patterson reflected on successful events, including Bison Week and the HBCU DTLR tour.
“The goal for this year is to establish traditions and build relationships,” Patterson said.
The first legislative body meeting will take place on Sept. 11.
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
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