USG held its first gathering of the fall semester to update students on early accomplishments and the semester’s plans.

Jenna Gilbreath, student body president and senior communication studies major, started the open forum with a recap of convocation, Blastoff and the “This is Kent State” pep rally.

The group intended to hold the first biweekly public meeting, in which representatives can vote on our campus’ issues. A clerical error changed it to the open forum distinction, an update and discussion on USG’s efforts open to all students. Gilbreath plans to reschedule the public meeting soon.

Gilbreath spoke about her plans to create a pipeline connecting diverse applicants to USG positions by partnering with the Student Multicultural Center and the Kupita/Transiciones program, an orientation mentorship offered to multicultural students.

“Historically, we are not a very diverse organization. And rather than having them come to us, I wanted to meet them where they were,” Gilbreath said.

Gilbreath said the group will also offer a workshop on applications and interviews to “take away any barriers to anyone applying.”

The staff of directors covered the USG office’s progress moving to the second floor of the student center, a larger location than its previous place on the ground floor.

More projects start soon, including preparation for Sex Week and Health Week, expanding library hours to 24/7 and possibly installing Plan B vending machines.

USG allocated about $5,000 dollars to students this summer and plans to use more funding for the Change in a Flash program, a pitch competition in which students raise funding to make change on campus.

Yung Gravy will headline the homecoming concert, booked by junior fashion merchandising major and Director of Programming Matt Clark. Yung Gravy’s fans, the Gravy Train, snatched up tickets, selling out the concert in two hours and 48 minutes.

Clark also booked Jaden Smith for a speaking engagement and question and answer session.

The academic senators for Kent State’s 10 colleges spoke next. They started off the fall semester speaking at their respective dean’s welcome events. Representatives met with faculty and will continue to recruit and hire students for their committees.

Gilbreath started in USG her sophomore year on a committee and moved up the ranks quickly. She became the senator for the College of Communication and Information last fall and moved to fill the Director of Student Involvement position when it opened. She leads the student body as president in her senior year.

“I think that the student voice is really important and really powerful, so that’s why I decided to run for president,” Gilbreath said. “And starting off as a senator, I had no idea that I would be here.”

Sophie Young is an administration reporter. Contact her at [email protected].