Florida State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) received recognition at the Leon County Commission gathering on Tuesday, Feb. 11, with a proclamation highlighting their commitment to fiscal responsibility and adept budget management via student leadership training.
The previous year, FSU SGA tailored Leon County’s “Let’s Balance!” budget simulation exercise into a customized training resource designed to prepare student leaders with practical skills in budget management. This initiative grants insight into the hurdles and obligations associated with financial decision-making. It has also attracted national recognition, leading to SGA being invited to present at various state, regional, and national conferences.
“SGA’s initiatives have established an exemplary benchmark for student leadership training, empowering FSU students to act as thought leaders in disseminating best practices with student governments and university staff nationwide,” remarked Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “This program not only helps our student leaders acquire vital skills but also promotes a culture of financial accountability and civic engagement, setting a national precedent.”
During the meeting, Leon County Commission Chairman Brian Welch awarded SGA representatives the official “Proclamation Recognizing FSU Student Government Association for its Dedication, Leadership, and Innovation in Student Training and Commitment to Advancing Fiscal Stewardship and Responsible Budget Management Among Future Leaders.”
“Our SGA members bear the significant responsibility of determining the allocation of approximately $14 million in student fee revenues annually, which is a considerable undertaking,” stated Andy Johnson, program director for FSU’s Student Governance & Advocacy. “These students are not only utilizing training tools like ‘Let’s Balance!’ to better prepare for their budgeting process but are also using it to forge vital connections within the community and other universities across the nation. I remain immensely proud of how our students are pioneering efforts to enhance the transparency, accessibility, and accountability of their student government.”
“SGA’s initiatives have established an exemplary benchmark for student leadership training, empowering FSU students to act as thought leaders in disseminating best practices with student governments and university staff nationwide”
– Amy Hecht, VP for Student Affairs
In the budget exercise, participants assume the role of an individual committee member within their “budget committee.” The aim of the game is to balance a fictional student government budget that funds services and budget priorities—while also ensuring a prudent reserve for unforeseen budgetary emergencies occurring throughout the game. SGA collaborated with the FSU Division of Student Affairs Marketing and Communications Office to revamp and relaunch “Let’s Balance!”
FSU Student Senate President Bella LoBianco showcased SGA’s modified version of the game at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Student Leadership Symposium this month and at the Student Government Institute at the University of Florida last year.
“‘Let’s Balance!,’ created by Leon County’s Government, has proven to be an essential resource in educating students on effective budgeting in an engaging and interactive manner,” expressed LoBianco. “The game offers a practical simulation that allows students to navigate the intricacies of financial decision-making. By integrating key budgeting components such as expenditures, revenues, reserve funds, and more, the game assists students in visualizing and comprehending the difficulties of balancing a budget, thus preparing them for real financial responsibilities.”
To learn more about FSU’s Student Government Association, visit sga.fsu.edu.
About FSU’s Student Government Association
FSU’s Student Government Association is a body established under §1004.26, Florida Statutes, dedicated to delivering representation, services, and advocacy for the student population. SGA consists of an executive, legislative, and judicial branch, in addition to an elections office, a Congress of Graduate Students, and various agencies, bureaus, institutes, class councils, and other entities that provide significant opportunities for student engagement and support.
The article FSU Student Government Association recognized by Leon County for innovative student leadership training first appeared on Florida State University News.