Student Government
Our Mission:
Student Government works collaboratively with students and college administrators to create positive changes in the Trine University community.
Correspondents:
- Work directly with committees to help complete committee responsibilities
- Voice opinions on issues
- Receive Student Government recognition
Why get involved?
Student Government at Trine University has worked for the past year to revise the Constitution and By-Laws to become a group that actively works to:
- Represent the student body
- Provide student feedback to administration
- Coordinate and assist in the funding of the government and student organizations
- Foster an active and engaged membership within the campus and local communities
- Support the mission of Trine University
What are the benefits of getting involved?
Students involved in Student Government enhance time management, communication and organizational skills. Student leaders learn about the university, event planning, financial management, marketing and the value of teamwork in action. You also get to play an integral role in the development of Trine University by interacting with staff, faculty, and students throughout the University.
For more information about getting involved in Student Government, please contact the Assistant Director of Student Leadership, Blake Grosse, at bcgrosse17@trine.edu or 260.665.4646.
Location
Alwood/Cameron Hall Annex
1 University Avenue
Angola, IN 46703
studentgovernment@trine.edu
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Explore our Instagram
Student Government Committees
Senator Michael Kruse
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Seeks to utilize community fundraising in building an outdoor basketball court on the campus of Trine University.
President Kennedy Jester
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"Keeping our foundational documents both accurate + current is important to me because much of what we do is determined by precedent, or the experience + expertise of past leaders at Trine University."
Commitment to Equity & Inclusion
We believe that diverse voices and perspectives are essential for effective decision-making and governance. We are committed to promoting representation and inclusivity within the Student Government and reflecting the diversity of our campus community through accountability to student suggestion.
Petition for Change to Foundational Documents
If you are experiencing a policy issue based on guidelines listed in the Student Government Constitution, Bylaws, or Budget Guidelines, please submit the form below and we will take your feedback into consideration!
*Required
Senator Heidi Wilhelm
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Strives to work as a liaison between the student body and Bon Appetit to ensure nutritious and delicious food available to be enjoyed for all regardless of personal restrictions.
Secretary Anna Loughrey
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Strives to ensure that environmental sustainability is prioritized on Trine's campus by working toward the implementation of a recycling program, encouraging the growth of native plants, and creating a healthy habitat for pollinators.
Senator Aubriana Ragsdale
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Trine University DEIA Short Sleeve
The DEIA committee has collaborated with Senator Anna Loughrey of the Jannen School of Arts and Sciences to create a shirt that supports minority groups on our campus! Each shirt costs $8 and proceeds are donated to Trine University's own diversity scholarship.

Fall 2022 DEIA Survey
Make your voice heard on campus by filling out this Google Forms survey about which
diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility projects should be most prioritized
on our campus!
Resources

LGBTQ+ Safe Zone Training
Sign up to attend this free online training where you will learn how to be a more supportive ally to queer friends, family, and classmates.

Workplace Mental Health + Wellbeing
Explore the components that research has proven to be most important for mental health in a workplace or educational setting.

Institutional Strategies to Combat Racism
In any leadership role--from the president of a student organization to the team captain in a group project--how can you address subtle racism?

Gender Transformative Education
Discover the transformative power of dynamic education to instill a sense of gender
equality in all students.
Providers

Dr. Judith Williams
Specializes in queer issues for individuals who are bisexual, lesbian, and transgender. Located in Auburn, Indiana.

Erica Woodward, MSW, LCSW
Specializes in multicultural trauma, racial identity, and LGBTQ+ issues. Provides online therapy for clients in the state of Indiana.

Randi Irwin, MA, LMHCA
Provides affirming care for LGBTQ+, poly, and BIPOC communities. Located in South
Bend, Indiana and additionally offers online therapy.

Salathiel Reagan, LMHC
Specializes in racial identity, chronic conditions, and short-term therapy that treats symptoms of trauma. Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and additionally offers online therapy.
Advocacy and Aid
Accessibility and Accommodations
Trine University's policy on requirements for disability accommodations and allergen recognition.
Title IX Reporting
Detailed process of how to file a Title IX report through Trine University for abuse and maltreatment.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Trine University's policy to treat all students equally and ensure them the same opportunity
for a quality education.
U.S. Civil Legal Aid
Pro-bono legal aid provided to middle class and lower class individuals possessing civil legal issues related to education, housing, employment and government benefits.
Scholarship Opportunities
LGBTQ+ Students
International Students
Students of Color
Students with Disabilities
Forms
We Care: Early Alert System
Your role is crucial as you could be the first person to recognize subtle changes in a student's behavior. As a member of the Trine community, it is important to identify when a student might need help and submit an alert. The message is sent through the Retention Management System and if information is sensitive, can be made confidential so that only the We Care Administrator sees it.
NOTE: We Care Early Alerts are not for emergency situations. If you are concerned about a student's physical or emotional safety, please call Campus Safety at (260) 316-1877.
Cameron Memorial Hospital: MyChart System
If medical care external to the Student Health Center is required, an individual may
be referred to Cameron Memorial Hospital at 416 E Maumee Street, approximately 5 minutes
from Trine's campus. To stay updated on your medical history, prescriptions, and tests,
feel free to download the MyChart app for ease of communication with your provider(s).
Inclusive Classroom Tips
All students have the right to a safe and inclusive learning environment, where they are free to learn without fear of bias, discrimination, othering, or alienation from their peers and instructor. Our faculty members play an essential role in ensuring that LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students in particular feel welcome, safe, and affirmed in the classroom.
INCLUSIVE PRACTICES
There are many simple and easy ways to incorporate inclusive practice into your classroom activities. Below are a few suggestions:
Introductions
- Introduce yourself with your name and pronouns on the first day of class and invite students to do the same
- If your section is too large to do individual introductions, you can ask students to state their name and pronouns whenever they raise their hand to speak or ask a question
- If you have completed SafeZone certification, mention it in your syllabus and/or during your introduction.
- If you have students pair off and introduce each other, make sure to include pronouns as one of the interview questions to avoid an embarrassing situation in which a student is introduced incorrectly.
Communicating with Students
- Include your pronouns in your email signature
- Avoid honorifics like "Ms./Mrs./Mr." unless the individual uses them to refer to themself first
Classroom Participation
- When assigning group projects, assign groups or have students count off rather than allowing students to select their own groups. This will reduce the likelihood that students who are visibly different will be left out and encourages students to work with people they might not otherwise.
- During classroom discussions, be mindful of who is speaking up and who is not. You can encourage the latter group to participate by asking for input from anyone who has not spoken in a while, or setting a rule that each person may only speak once until everyone else has had a chance to speak.
- Never ask members of marginalized communities to speak on behalf of their entire group
Setting Expectations
- If class size allows, facilitate a conversation on the first day of class that invites students to participate in creating a set of mutually agreed upon expectations for communication and conduct. This also has the benefit of giving students the opportunity to take ownership of their learning and feel invested in the classroom experience.
- In your own expectations, strive to create a culture of trust and respect that encourages dialogue and accountability without judgement.
- Be mindful of unintentionally creating the expectation that those with marginalized identities should be the only ones to call out or address inappropriate/offensive language or behavior. As the faculty member, you can both model appropriately addressing negative behaviors and empower your students to respectfully hold each other accountable.
INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
Language is constantly shifting and changing, and trying to keep up can sometimes feel overwhelming. Here are a few simple tips to help you make your own language more inclusive:
- When addressing your class, avoid "ladies and gentlemen" - instead, use gender-neutral terms of address like "all", "everyone", etc.". You can even use use terms like "friends" or "comrades" for something more familiar.
- When speaking about a significant other, use "partner" instead of "boyfriend/girlfriend" or "wife/husband" to avoid assumptions about gender or sexual orientation
- When referring to a person whose gender you do not know, use the gender neutral pronoun "they/them" rather than "he or she"/"him or her"
- Check out our glossary to learn about appropriate terms, and outdated or problematic terms to avoid
PRONOUNS & CHOSEN NAMES
Using someone's correct name and pronouns is a sign of respect, and providing your
students the opportunity to share the name and pronouns they would like to use, whether
privately or in class, allows them to bring their whole self to class, promotes their
personal agency, encourages them to participate more fully, and helps build trust
between instructor and student.
Before the semester starts, consider emailing students with a short introduction,
including your pronouns and how you wish to be addressed, and invite them to respond
with their pronouns and the name they would like to use in class. This is especially
important if you plan to call roll or pass around an attendance sheet in class, and
may be a more convenient method if you are teaching a large section.
If you would rather collect name and pronoun information on the first day of class,
options include:
- Asking students to fill out informational note cards. In addition to information you would normally ask students to list, have your students also write down their name on record, the name they want to use (if it differs from the name on record), and their pronouns
- Invite students to email or speak to you privately before the next class meeting to let you know their pronouns and the name they want you to use
- If you have students introduce themselves on the first day of class, invite (but don't require) everyone to share their pronouns. By encouraging everyone to share their pronouns, you can help normalize the sharing of pronouns to make trans and non-binary students feel less singled out
SYLLABUS STATEMENTS
Incorporating inclusive language in your syllabus is a simple step that may help students across a variety of identities feel seen, heard and supported. You can copy and paste the language below into your syllabus or use it as a template to create your own welcome statement.
In this course, each voice in the classroom has something of value to contribute. Please take care to respect the different experiences, beliefs, and values expressed by students and staff involved in this course. We support Purdue Fort Wayne's commitment to diversity and welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds, citizenships, disabilities, sexes, education levels, ethnicities, family statuses, genders, gender identities, geographical locations, languages, military experiences, political views, races, religions, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and work experiences.
Treasurer John Wrachford
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Oversees the appropriation of funds for approved campus activities put on by recognized student organizations. Budget requests are submitted to them.
Speaker Emma Oslakovich
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Assists the Speaker of the House in organizing information for recognized student organizations and reporting back to the Senate with any findings.
Senator Griffin Max
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Focused on improving student mental health, both by promoting awareness as well as ensuring Trine University has the necessary resources to help those in need.
Senator Garett Adams
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Designed to help newer Trine students get acclimated to college life. From short questions to longer meetings, this committee is here to help with any concerns!
Secretary Anna Loughrey
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Seeks out students for information regarding issues on campus and works to resolve them in conjunction with the Vice President of Student Services and the Dean of Students.
Vice President Michael Pacer
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Ensures that the regulations of Student Government are followed by both individuals and recognized student organizations. Additionally, they organize the Golden Gavel Award process.
Senator Aubriana Ragsdale
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Ensures efficient communication to the public and promotes events to both students and faculty alike.
Senator Chandler Ruetz
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Advocates for students by working with Campus Safety and other organizations to resolve safety concerns on campus.
Works to provide free and nutritious food to the student body! We are committed to responding to the needs of the students who are unable to get food by restocking our Share Closet right outside of the counseling services with our motto being “Take what you need, leave what you can."
Publicity Director Michael Dannah
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Plans and coordinates campus-wide activities in conjunction with the Director of Student Activities and student recommendations.