Jacobs emphasizes UNCP’s heritage

 “We have built a foundation of returning the SGA to the students,” said Student Government Association Vice President Mo Mutima. Both Mutima and SGA President Marvin Jacobs have decided to run for re-election.            

Jacobs said that he and Mutima will continue to focus on current issues such as parking, making the campus handicap accessible and maintaining the heritage of the university.

Photo by Adam Fenwick Current SGA President Marvin Jacobs is running for re-election with his current SGA Vice President Mo Mutima.

Jacobs, a rising senior majoring in exercise and sports science, said that one of their biggest objectives if re-elected is to make sure that UNCP does not lose its identity despite its diversity.
           
"We might be the most diverse school in the UNC-system, but we are firstNative American,” Jacobs said.           

Mutima, also a rising senior with a pre-phar-maceutical major, said that one of their greatest feats this year will be the fashion show, titled “Cultural Elegance: A Fashion Statement,” that will take place in April.              
           
Jacobs said he feels the greatest achievement of the SGA this term was the divi-sion of the Association of Campus Entertainment from the SGA.            

The creation of an entertainment branch enabled the SGA to focus on student issues.            
           
Jacobs said he believed the year was successful, but he feared for all the issues that would be “swept under the door” if other candidates won the election.            

Jacobs said he hopes to be re-elected so issues such as making buildings handicap accessible and keeping the heritage of the school alive are not lost.
           
"That’s why we’re here, to make sure the drive stays alive,” Jacobs said. “There are a lot of things we can solve here.”           

Jacobs is a former president of Phi Beta Sigma, and has worked for organizations such as the Center for Leadership and Service.            
           
Mutima is currently a UPeer, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, has served as a UNCP ambassador and was the former chair of the food committee for the SGA prior to his advancing to vice president and a former member of the Association of Campus Entertainment.            

Mutima will be campaigning for the office of vice president for the first time; he replaced previous vice president Terrell Jones, who was called into active military duty at the beginning of the term.            
           
Both Jacobs and Mutima agreed that they would remain senators in the SGA if they are not re-elected as president and vice president.            

Jacobs and Mutima will serve until June 30, after which a new term will begin.            
           
SGA elections took place on March 27-28 in the University Center Lounge.