C of C students recently placed their votes in the Student Government Association elections, yet much of the work that goes into SGA jobs remains behind the scenes.
The SGA is made up of several positions. The Executive Council consists of elected positions: the president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Although members of the council each have their own role, they also rely on each other to be successful.
“As the vice president, I have been working closely with President John Capelle to make sure that the SGA is a productive organization that is responsive to student interests,” said current vice president and 2010-2011 president-elect Isaiah Nelson. “I work with the president and the rest of the executive board to ensure that all the projects that the senators are working on to better the student body are being done and efficiently.”
One of Nelson’s recent projects was the Education Center lounge. He worked with Executive Vice President of Student Affairs Victor Wilson to buy tables to create a 24-hour study area.  
“I am currently working with the City of Charleston to put speed bumps on Coming Street to improve the safety of the street,” Nelson said. “While budgeting is tough right now, we are hopeful we will be able to move beyond those troubles and make Coming Street safer for everyone.”
As vice president, Nelson spends 25 to 30 hours a week at work in his office and in meetings. In addition to his schoolwork, Nelson often finds himself having late work nights.
“On a normal day, I will be doing homework and SGA work until one or two in the morning,” he said.
Nelson was voted student body president for the 2010-2011 academic year in the election last month.
The rise in status will bring more work to his already busy schedule. Some of the additional responsibilities Nelson faces as president will include sitting with the Board of Trustees, having monthly meetings with President Benson and chairing the president’s student advisory council.
Being president involves a more external role than vice president, said Nelson.
“Next year I intend to be much more external by working with the Executive Council to reach out into the student body to better hear and understand the concerns of our fellow student,” Nelson said.
One way that Nelson says he will succeed in this area is by walking around Liberty Fresh Food Company to get feedback and concerns directly from students. The student body president is the main student voice to the administration at the College, Nelson said.
“As president I will have the opportunity to more directly influence the decisions that are made at the College,” Nelson said.
Current secretary and vice president-elect Ross Kressel has a different list of duties. One of his main jobs involves working with all of the student groups on campus.
“I run registration for all of the recognized student organizations, organize two street fairs for student organizations and help new student organizations form,” Kressel said.
Besides that, Kressel is the chair of the Student Organization Review Board.
“[The SOR Board] allows student organizations to be recognized by the College and helps determine whether they will be sanctioned or registered,” Kressel said.
Depending on the day of the week, Kressel’s schedule consists of class, meetings and office work. Kressel does most of his SGA work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
On his primary work days, Kressel arrives at his office around 9 a.m. and works on student requests and other issues with student clubs.
The Executive Council meets in the afternoon on Tuesdays to discuss the Senate meeting scheduled later that day. As secretary, Kressel takes minutes during these meetings. The Senate meetings can last for more than three hours, Kressel said. Thursdays consist of Executive Board meetings and SOR hearings that run through the afternoon and into the evening.
After attending class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, Kressel spends time in the office working with student organizations.
“It is a lot of work, but I really enjoy it,” Kressel said.
SGA executive members, such as Nelson and Kressel, are paid on an hourly basis. However, they are only paid up to the amount of half of in-state tuition. For their current positions, Nelson and Kressel are compensated for up to 17.5 hours per week, regardless of whether they are actually at work for more than that time. As president Nelson will be paid for up to 25 hours of work per week, which amounts to approximately the same as full in-state tuition.