University of North Florida

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch works to address student concerns on campus. Members of the Executive Branch help the student body in multiple ways. Their duties include serving on university committees, speaking at events, working with athletes, Greek and other groups and organizations, as well as coordinating activities for students. The Executive Branch is comprised of the Executive Cabinet, Student Body Vice President and Student Body President.

The Student Body President, John Barnes, is the Chief Executive Officer of Student Government. He has the power to pass or veto all legislation, execute laws passed by the Senate or within the Constitution, and is empowered with budget authority to provide programming for students. The President along with the Vice President is elected annually in the spring by the student body.

The Student Body Vice President, Michael Saathoff, oversees the Executive Cabinet and works with the President to execute his duties. The Vice President serves on several university committees and acts as a liaison between the Executive administration and Student Government as a whole. He also oversees and works with the Student Government agencies which include the African American Student Union, Club Alliance, Osprey Productions and the Volunteer Center.

President's Desk

Fellow Osprey,

Thank you for your keen interest in the University of North Florida Student Government. The focus of Student Government for 2009-2010 is working to unite the voice of our campus in every exciting development that is currently taking place. Each year there are more ways in which students can get involved and it is important that members of the student body do so. I encourage you to make the most of every opportunity, creating a collegiate experience that you will never forget. Please, explore every aspect of the UNF SG website so that you may become familiar with our purpose, current projects and updates, along with the people that are serving to represent your voice!

It is true, regardless of your classification, major, team, club, ministry, or Greek letter organization, whether you are from Jacksonville, or another city and even another state, you have an important perspective that needs to be accounted for on our campus. Indeed as our university motto states there is “No one like you. No place like this.” The Student Government of UNF is charged with the responsibility of representing and serving the best interests of what is now almost 17,000 students on our campus.

We are not only concerned about today, but also about the future of our institution. It is important that students feel empowered as we pursue our academic endeavors. So, welcome to a year of progress and promise. I encourage you to contact me personally along with the rest of your other Student Government officials. You can make a difference and remember-- the first step is getting involved.

This is Your Campus. This is Your Experience. And we are Your Student Government!

John Barnes

Student Body President

Student Body President

John Russell Barnes, of West Palm Beach, is Student Body President at the University of North Florida for 2009-2010. Mr. Barnes is a senior majoring in Political Science, with a minor in English. He is an active leader and participant in the UNF campus community. John became involved quickly in Student Government. He was elected to the Senate in the spring of 2006. The following year he was elected internally to the position of Senate President. In serving as Senate president, unification was one of John's top priorities, not only within the Senate, but within all three branches of Student Government.

At UNF, he is an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, where he currently holds the position of Chaplain and he previously held the title of President, Eminent Chronicler and philanthropy chair; a member of the pre-law society; a member of Converge Campus Ministry and a member of Order of Omega. Throughout John's collegiate years, he has volunteered countless hours to serving the USO and Builders Care Foundations.

Mr. Barnes was awarded Outstanding New Senator 2006-2007 by the UNF Senate and awarded UNF Outstanding Fraternity President of the Year 2007-2008. John is scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2010, where he plans to attend law school and to pursue a career in public service. John's strongest belief as Student Body President is being a servant, and making a difference in others lives.

Student Body Vice President

Michael E. Saathoff, born on August 17, 1988 in the beautiful city of Saint Petersburg Florida, is the 2008–2010 Student Body Vice President for the University of North Florida. Michael is a Political Science major with a minor in Public Administration and a Brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Parents, Dean and Debbie, have always encouraged Michael to do the best that he can especially when it concerns others. Prior to being the Vice President, Mr. Saathoff served on the B&A Committee and was proud to serve as the Senate Chaplain. Serving others is the top priority for Mr. Saathoff and while he was the Drum Major of the Boca Ciega High School Marching Band, he learned that being a leader one must be willing to accept the great criticism as well as the bad.

While in Jacksonville, Mr. Saathoff attends Titus Harvest Dome Spectrum Church where he follows the vision set forth by Pastor R.J. Washington, “reaching the lost at any cost.” Mr. Saathoff is an active member at church and will be going into ministry after college for it is his passion and calling.

Remember to SERVE so you can make a DIFFERENCE that will leave a great and lasting LEGACY!

Executive Cabinet

Chief of Staff

Tom Blanchard - sgacos@unf.edu

The Chief of Staff is responsible for supervising over the Executive Branch. Mr. Blanchard must oversee the daily operations in the Executive Cabinet and the Executive Agencies. The Chief of Staff must fulfill these responsibilities, as well as any other objectives given by the Student Body President.

Deputy Chief of Staff

Abhishek Bera - sgadcos@unf.edu

The Deputy Chief of Staff is responsible for assisting the Chief of Staff and the President in the day to day activities of the Executive Cabinet. This includes overseeing university-wide committee assignments and helping Executive Cabinet members plan events within their respective roles.

Treasurer

Matt Samra - sgasbt@unf.edu

The Treasurer is the chief financial officer of the Executive Branch and of Student Government. Mr. Samra advises the President on all matters financial in nature. In addition, the Treasurer should maintain regular contact with financial officers from Activity & Service Fee-funded entities. The Treasurer is to attend meetings, serve on committees, and maintain relationships with the University administration and in such present the perspective of the President's concerns on financial matters. The Treasurer shall serve as the executive liason to the student body on financial matters and is responsible for ensuring financial accountability pertaining to Activity & Service Fee procdeures. In addition, this person is to maintain a consistent, positive relationship with the Budget & Allocations Committee in order to promote the interests of the student body.

Director of Governmental Affairs

Anthony Mack - sgadgov@unf.edu

Mr. Mack is responsible for the handling of governmental matters on behalf of the Executive Office. This includes, but is not limited to FSA preparations, off-campus trips, and documentation. He must also prepare an informational briefing for the President before every Board of Trustee and Board of Governors meeting to further assist the President.

Attorney General

Jonas Cummings - sgag@unf.edu

The Deputy Attorney General is responsible for assisting the Attorney General in their absence or vacancy. They shall be the liason between any A&S Fee paying student seeking legal interpretation of any part of the Constitution and Statues and the Attorney General. The Deputy Attorney General will also serve on committees and any other duties as requested by the President.

Director of Public Relations

Alexandra Schmidt - sgadpr@unf.edu

The Director of Public Relations is responsible for the promotion of Student Government as instructed by the Student Body President. Some of the responsibilities include: advertisements, updating the SG bulletin boards, maintaining the Facebook and Blackboard groups, and promoting all events hosted by SG.

Director of Student Life

Victoria Elian - sgadsl@unf.edu

The Director of Student Life is responsible for ensuring that the office of Student Government has a growing and thriving relationship with students. To achieve this goal the director will oversee those appointed to university committees and schedule regular meetings with any office or department that reaches out to different populations of students (i.e. ethnic, gender and religious groups).

Director of Communications

Sean Webb - sgadcom@unf.edu

The Director of Communications is responsible for all design, marketing and website needs of the Executive Cabinet and Executive Agencies. Sean works closely with the Director of Public Relations and Agency directors to ensure effective advertising and promotion of events on campus.

Initiatives

On-Campus Spa
The University Space Committee has approved using the current Bookstore space in Building 8 for on-campus retail space once the Bookstore moves to the new Student Union. Student Government is currently working with Auxiliary Services to identify potential retailers for the space, including salons/spas that provide hair, nail, and tanning services. An Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) is currently being prepared to invite retailers to present a proposal for the space.

More Online Classes
Student Government has been working closely with Academic Affairs on distance learning-related issues. The Distance Learning Committee now has a student representative to provide feedback on distance learning methods and resources. Additional meetings have been scheduled to discuss the growth of distance learning courses and degree programs at UNF.

Graduate Student Lounge
One of the lounges in the new Student Union has been designated as the Graduate Student Lounge. The new lounge is located on the third floor of the west building of the Student Union and overlooks the adjacent lake. The lounge will be equipped with comfortable seating as well as group study tables. Students will have access to a sink, ice-maker,microwave, and television.

Club & Greek Plots
Meetings have been held with representatives from the National Pan-Hellenic Council to discuss what each Greek Letter organization envisions in a plot. Each organization produced a design of what they would like to see as a plot that was then presented to the University Art Committee. The Art Committee gave critical feedback about the overall look and feel of the plots.

Athletics Promotion Initiative
To promote UNF Athletics and encourage greater Osprey pride, Student Government has been actively seeking to connect the student body with UNF's student athletes. The 2008–2009 school year kicked off with the first annual Osprey Tailgate Classic on Tuesday, August 26. Over a thousand students enjoyed the Dave Matthews Tribute Band, free barbeque from Sticky Fingers, and met with athletic teams on The Green. A second tailgate was held for the UNF v. JU Men's Soccer game and additional tailgates are planned for future athletic events. Student sections and new signage have also been added to athletic facilities.

University-Wide Philanthropy Week
The first UNF Philanthropy Week was held February 2-7, 2009. All four Student Government Agencies encouraged volunteerism and community service. Many other campus groups were also involved. The week will ended with the second annual Swoop the Loop 5K race that benefited the On-Campus Transition Program. Swoop the Loop was a bridging event between Philanthropy Week and UNF's Homecoming week.

Restored Extended Library Hours
Student Government worked with the University and Library administrators in the 2008–2009 school year to restore the extended late night library hours for the students.

More ATMs On-Campus
The University Space Committee has approved a plan to use the current Bookstore space in Building 8 for on-campus retail space once the Bookstore moves to the new Student Union. An Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) is currently being prepared to invite retailers to present a proposal for the space. As part of this ITN, banks and credit unions are being targeted to provide additional ATMs in the Courtyard area near the existing Community First Credit Union ATM.

Healthy Campus Initiative
Student Government sponsored World AIDS Day in conjunction with the Department of Health Promotion on December 4, 2008. The event provided free HIV Rapid Tests through the Duval County Health Department and different organizations from around UNF and the Jacksonville community were there to bring awareness to students about HIV/AIDS.

More Osprey 1Card Retail Options
For the spring 2009 semester, Five Guys Burgers and Fries (Town Center and Beach/Hodges), Sushi House (Town Center), Fuji House (Beach/Hodges area), and Mangrove Island Grill (St. John's Bluff near Beach) have all been recruited as new vendors on the Osprey 1Card program. Student Government is continuing to work with Auxiliary Services and CardSmith to identify and recruit additional off-campus retailers to participate in the Osprey 1Card program.