Government Reception Draws Students and Politicians Alike
By Caleb Moore
University of Connecticut Newswriting I
April 2019
STORRS — Government leaders and students came together for chicken tenders and spirited discussion at the Undergraduate Student Government’s second annual Government Reception Monday night.
The night of food and conversation, held in the University of Connecticut’s Student Union, was sponsored by USG’s External Affairs Committee and hosted numerous legislators at both the state and town levels.
After a brief period of small talk, Chairman Damon Reynolds of the external affairs committee gave a presentation that described USG’s role on the UConn campus.
The presentation also showed USG’s, and particularly the external affairs committee’s, role in regard to the state legislature, where student leaders frequently advocate for the student body.
“Having these legislators and government leaders here on campus is crucial to USG’s mission,” Reynolds said. “It’s also very important that UConn students talk to their representatives so their voices can be heard.”
Undergraduate Student Government’s Office, located in SU 219. / Photo by Caleb Moore
State legislators in attendance included Rep. Michael Winkler, D‑Vernon, Sen. Mae Flexer, D‑29th District, Rep. Gregg Haddad, D‑Mansfield, and Rep. Kevin Ryan, D‑Norwich.
The Town of Mansfield was represented by Mayor Paul Shapiro, Deputy Mayor Toni Moran and town councilors Terry Berthelot and Ronald Schurin.
Reynolds said the presence of both state and local officials is something the External Affairs Committee values greatly.
“Whether it’s issues ranging from early voting to mental health support and state funding, making sure elected officials at all levels know that these views are core to UConn student values is an important outcome of this event,” he said.
“The reception isn’t just intended for members of USG, either,” Reynolds added. “We welcome all students to attend and converse with our government officials.”
Also in attendance was the speaker of USG’s Senate, Joshua Crow.
“I’m attending tonight because I’m the head of the body students have chosen to represent them. That includes representation to government officials,” Crow said. He also said the event piqued his interest personally.
“I have some familiarity with state government, so the event piqued my personal interest,” Crow said.
Winkler, who served on student government during his time at UConn in the late sixties/early seventies, discussed the changing landscape of both the campus and its inhabitants.
“When I was here, this whole area was grass,” he said, looking over the bustling Student Union lawn, which is now crisscrossed with sidewalks and lined with classroom buildings. Winkler’s days in student government included a strike against UConn’s first-ever tuition increase and a rough dynamic within the government.
The Student Union Lawn at UConn. / Photo by Caleb Moore
“[Winkler] expressed how, in his day, the president of the student government butted heads with the person in the speaker position,” Crow said. “It was good to see how far we’ve come, seeing as Ama Appiah, the current UConn student body president, and I have such a good relationship.”
Berthelot, one of the few officials in the room who attended the inaugural reception last year, expressed her approval of the event.
“It’s fantastic,” Berthelot said. “The event really opened my eyes to the work that USG does and the reach that the student leaders have.”Berthelot, who teaches at UConn, showed particular interest in the work USG does to promote mental health literacy.
In Reynolds’ eyes, the event can only grow.
“By continuing to advertise and hold these receptions, we hope the relationship between government officials and students will flourish,” Reynolds said. “As student leaders, USG is responsible for advocating for students. This requires a good working relationship with legislators and government officials at both the town level and the state level. What better way to build relationships than in a low-stress, relatively casual reception?” he said.
