The Student Government Association (SGA) met last night in a round table caucus to listen to the State of the Student Body Address given by Andrew Manno, Student Body president.

Leaders of other student groups, including Pride, ALAS, APAC, BSU and ARH were also in attendance. President Manno took a retrospective look at some of the key events and accomplishments of SGA since the beginning of the 2012-13 academic school year. According to Manno, the state of the student body is good.

To begin the evening, Manno reminisced on President Al Bowman’s retirement announcement.

“We have seen the strength and passion of the student body as we were surprised by the announcement that President Al Bowman, one of our most beloved and revered presidents, would be retiring. We stood and watched our president peek out his office window and gaze into the crowd of hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members who banded together to … celebrate his legacy,” Manno said.

Manno took a look at the state of athletics at ISU, citing the reconstruction of Hancock Stadium as a symbol of the direction the program is heading.

“As an administration, we ran on three main pillars: school spirit, outreach and tradition. We have seen school spirit rise to the height that this university has not seen in some time,” Manno said. 

Zach Applehans / Staff Photographer: Student Body President Andy Manno delivers his State of the Student Body address Wednesday evening.

The ISU version of the Harlem Shake was used as an example of the school spirit students have shown during Manno’s term. Another example of great spirit was during Founders Day, when students came to the Bone Student Center to celebrate the university’s 156th anniversary.

This semester, the student recreation center welcomed its  one-millionth visitor, another landmark for the student body. The Rec was established after a referendum went out to students, inquiring whether a new fitness center was necessary. The resounding “yes” prompted the university to answer.

“This is the kind of power we have here at this great institution,” Manno said.

As the voice of the student body, SGA has passed over 40 pieces of legislation under Manno’s administration. The most recent example is that of the new campus tobacco policy, which was put in place to clear the air on campus.

SGA has also passed legislation to ease the financial burden of students in need of assistance by adding a food pantry in their office.

SGA has also created a student discount card that is accepted at many of the businesses around town.

ISU was deeply involved in politics during the election season. SGA hosted student debates, debate watch parties, election night live events and the Illinois 13 congressional district debate.

SGA has taken steps to increase their social media presence by creating a mobile app.

“Students are starting to realize who we are and respect the work and responsibility that we have and hold to our constituents … Together there is much we can do. Together there is little we cannot accomplish as one … When we move, we move together. Our victories will be sweet and our defeats will be softened,” Manno said.