Student Government Association (SGA) at Georgia Southern University hosted the inaugural State of the University Address yesterday where the President’s cabinet and SGA members updated the student body on current and upcoming events.

The State of the University Address gives students an opportunity to hear from the executives of our university and provides students important information, Garrett Green, SGA president, said.

GSU’s chancellor, Henry Huckaby, will come to campus Sept. 25 to inspect certain campus issues and meet with board members of SGA, Brooks Keel, Ph.D., university president, said.

The Board of Regents (BOR) approved a motion to hire a construction manager for a new Health Services Center and break ground in Spring 2014. The BOR also approved the motion to hire a construction manager for a new Military Science building.

The new Health Center will cost 10 million dollars and will be located across the street from the Performing Arts Center, Keel said.

A new Military Science building is expected to give our ROTC program a proper place to train, Keel said.

Students can expect the University Park golf course to open on October 10 and the Shooting Sports Education Center to open in Spring 2016, Teresa Thompson, Ph.D., vice president of student affairs and enrollment management (SAEM), said

Chancellor Huckaby will determine GSU’s next step in renovating either the old biology building or the Forest Drive building, Keel, said.

With the move to the Sun Belt Conference comes two new NCAA sports teams, women’s rifle and women’s golf, Keel said.

“We are beginning to solicit input for our spring concert,” Thompson said.

The Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management plans to host a Spring Concert in spring 2014 and wants students to have a voice in choosing the performer, according to Thompson.

“I appreciate the fact that students care so much about the events going on at their university,” Thompson said.

Robert Whitaker, Vice President for Business and Finance, says the University Bookstore saves about 8,500 students nearly 1.1 million dollars per semester with their textbook rental program.

“We think this is a very good program for our university,” Whitaker said.

Patrice Buckner Jackson, Dean of Students, challenges the student body to stay aware of campus events and take actions towards their passions now while they are students at GSU.

“You can use your time here at Georgia Southern University to propel yourself into the greatest future you can ever imagine, but it is a choice,” Buckner said.