Student government is hoping to reach out to the Chapel Hill community through a Homecoming parade, safe celebrations after games and student voices on a downtown decision-making board.
They’re some of the initiatives the Jasmin Jones administration hopes will improve communication among students and residents. Jones said she also plans to continue steps taken by J.J. Raynor’s administration.
“I know that from most of what I saw, Halloween was a huge accomplishment for her administration,” Jones said. “Most of the things we’re doing have come under her.”
One of the newest ideas is the addition of two student positions to the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Board of Directors. The two seats, reserved for one undergraduate student and one graduate student, were created in late spring in hopes of adding a student perspective to the decision-making process.
“We need the student input to make sure what we have meets their needs as well,” said Linda Convissor, the director of local relations for the University. “They’re a large part of the community.”
Convissor holds one of two seats on the Downtown Partnership board set aside for University officials.
“Our downtown will never be successful if it’s just for students, but it needs to be for students, too,” she said.
Junior Hilary Workman, chairwoman of the town and external relations committee on student government, occupies a student seat on the board. Workman said she will offer a student perspective the board might not have.
“It makes the town run so much more smoothly,” she said. “When you can get all the opinions on the table, everyone’s a little happier.”
