Q & A with SGA President Jibran Muhammad

Jibran Muhammad served two years on the SGA Judicial board as an associate justice. He has been the president of the Monroe Park Student Government Association since April 28, 2008. He is a political science major, and will retire his position on April 28, 2009. Muhammad plans to graduate in May and go to law school to pursue a life in either international or local politics. We interviewed him on Tuesday about his term as SGA president.

What were your most significant goals from your campaign platform?

“One of the promises that we had that was major to us was financial aid. We wanted to kind of help students, especially students that were struggling. So, this year I believe we really have done that.”

Muhammad said that for the first time this year, The Department of Business Services has given out $48,000 for scholarships and $10,000 from the faculty senate in terms of textbooks.

“This year I proposed that we establish a senior class gift, which 75 percent of that money would go to scholarships. We’re asking every senior that’s graduating to give $20 and 9 cents, Class of 2009. I think if we’re successful, this will really benefit the students, because that’s a lot of money that they can have.”

According to Muhammad, 25 percent of the money from the senior class gift would go to support the development of a memorial garden for faculty and students, inspired by the death of Tyler Binsted. Muhammad said this project would fulfill his initial campaign goal of campus beautification.

“Financial aid was one, beautification was one, and the third was mentorship. This year we established a peer-to-peer mentorship, which was established two years ago but nothing was happening. We worked with University College and this semester there are 35 members, 35 peers who are helping other peers with classes.”

Muhammad said the SGA is also working with the Harris leadership program in The Department of Business to find faculty, doctors, and lawyers to mentor students.

“One thing that I have realized from my own experience is that mentorship is really good. If it weren’t for my mentor, I would not be in this university. If it weren’t for my mentor, I wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you.”

There have been an increased number of resignations in the past month in the SGA, would you consider these to be a question of personal issue or issues within the organization?

“This year we have been very active. When you are active, you tend to upset people because you are doing things and some people don’t like changes.”

According to Muhammad, the resignations have to do with issues within the organization as well as personal matters.

“If people resign, if people are not happy, that’s fine they have a right to resign as they have a right to be not happy. I have talked to some of them and some of them have told me reasons. Some of the reasons are valid but I have nothing to do with that.”

Some people say the SGA takes themselves too seriously and that it’s just a student organization in the end. What do you think?

“Of course this is an organization but this is also a government. We are here to make sure that students are being heard, the concerns that students have are being met.

We shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. That’s true because our first priority, as students, is to get educated. I came into this position as a serious candidate and students who voted for me know that I was serious about it.”

What are your reactions or comments to other controversial issues that have come up, especially the constitution and impeachment charges against Tsion Tesfaye?

“When it came to the constitution, as an organization we had some hurdles. We had some struggles but we overcame them. Every organization has some difficulties.”

“I’m not here pretending that this was a perfect year. I know that there were some mistakes made. I made some mistakes. This is a learning process. Honestly, I feel that we have done a very active and very good job this year.”

“Not everybody wants to see a change. Some people prefer the status quo.”

Would you say that all members of the SGA are treated equally regardless of ethnicity, gender or background?

“I have never felt that I have been treated unfairly because of my race or my gender or my ethnicity. I feel that SGA is an organization that is very open-minded.”

We have been informed of accusations that male members in the SGA have treated female members unfairly, based on her gender. Is there any truth to this statement? What do you think?

SGA Chief of Staff Morgan McDowell walked in the room with a male friend

Muhammad: “Morgan, what do you think about that question?”

McDowell: “Jibran is the type of person where he wants you to do your job. If you don’t do your job, that’s when Jibran is going to get upset with you.”

Would you say you have been treated equally?

McDowell: “Definitely.”

Muhammad: “Things could be taken out of context. That could happen. Whoever that person is, I can apologize if I have said anything that they felt that they were offended. Honestly, I don’t feel that way at all.”

How do you feel about President-elect Gabriel Walker and Vice President-elect Roberto Celis?

“I have high expectations. I think they will do a wonderful job.”