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[ Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998 ]
USG Senate members find strength in diversity
By TIM SWIFT 
Collegian Staff Writer
Jamila Powell and Nathifa Gregory want to leave an impression on the Undergraduate Student Government -- they hope to create opportunities for minorities while working for the benefit of all students. In a USG Senate recently affected by internal problems, the makeup of its membership -- which is changing from the typical boys' club of past years to a more diverse body of students -- is frequently overlooked. West Halls Senator Powell and Pollock/Nittany Senator Gregory, both in their first years as senators, said they find strength in their unique perspectives as black women and hope to set a precedent by improving the growing diversity in senate.
Nathifa Gregory
Pollock/Nittany senator
Jamila Powell
West Halls senator
"One of my goals is to have more minorities in USG, not just in Multicultural Affairs (Department), but senate and Academic Assembly," Gregory said. "Simply more voices must be heard.
But Gregory doesn't limit herself to representing minorities.
"Yet, I don't think of myself as a voice for just minorities -- but a voice for all students," she said.
In order to do this, Powell said she and Gregory must facilitate programs at which they can assess student opinions.
"We don't want students to come to us with problems. We want to come to students and address those problems," Powell said.
Minority representation on the senate is unusual, Town Senator Jaime Desmond said.
"To have such a strong voice in those people is really incredible and extremely important for the senate," Desmond said.
Powell and Gregory are brainstorming ways to create campus forums at which students will gather at commons areas to discuss issues facing their communities. Powell said she plans to tackle issues such as homophobia and campus safety at the forums.
"We want to open doors for students … some people think you need to know someone (in USG) to be a senator. That is not true," Gregory said.
Gregory said she hopes more members from all different backgrounds become involved in USG because it will strengthen the organization. However, she said she understands the realities of being a senator and the administrative problems and internal conflicts USG members face.
"I never thought this was going to be easy," Gregory said. "I don't run from difficulty. I face it."
Collegian USG coverage
