SUNY Maritime College Annual Report 2020-2021

JESUS FANILLA Student Government Association President

W hen classes began in the Fall Semester 2020 and Maritime College implemented its Return to Campus plan, many students were hopeful for the year ahead. For some students, returning to campus became a more ambiguous concept, especially those within the international student body. “There was a feeling of uncertainty for international students, and we wanted to know we would be taken care of on campus.” Jesus Fanilla, who is a native of Panama, was concerned for his fellow students and wanted to ensure they would receive a quality experience during a challenging semester. The suspension of club activities due to the risk of virus exposure further complicated the student life experience. “As a student body, we wanted to hold activities, but it was difficult, and students were cautious to participate in any type of student gathering.” At the onset of the Spring 2021 Semester, Fanilla took action to bring more “life” to the student life experience. “I spoke with many of the student club presidents, and we started holding virtual meetings to talk about what we can do differently in the spring semester. We looked at what we

could and could not do and began to make things happen.” Fanilla’s observation of students led him to believe students were in a repetitive cycle of online and/or classroom learning, eating alone and minimal exposure to other students. He was determined as the civilian student government president to establish an infrastructure for communicating with different departments and student clubs. That’s when he started organizing the College’s first ever virtual student talent show, showcasing the video competition on the College’s Instagram and Facebook social sites. “We were able to then get an ice-skating rink for students, and bring in some food trucks. It was the first time I saw students happy. They were happy to have something fun to do on campus.” Toward the semester’s end, students became more actively engaged in their clubs. “We were able to do more work and have more club activities in the spring semester. We bonded with the engineering clubs in a way that was never done before and were committed to working together.” This, he noted, was among the highlights of his experience as a civilian student in the engineering program and as student government president.

Jesus Fanilla:

It was the first time I saw students happy. They were happy to have something fun to do on campus.

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