SGA Paints the Town Orange

Mercer’s Student Government Association has taken an active role in initiating two new programs for students to become involved in for this upcoming semester.
The first initiative is a motivation program partnering with Mercer’s Athletics Department. Though the program is still being finalized some of the details include a points-based incentive for students to encourage them to attend athletic games and events.
The second is a collaboration between Mercer students and businesses in College Hill and downtown areas. The initiative is cleverly titled Paint the Town Orange and stems from last semesters SGA Presidential race where elected President and Vice President, Mollie Davis and Josh Lovett, proposed a plan to create jobs and internships for students amongst local businesses. “In essence, SGA is going out on behalf of students to businesses and explaining the benefits of hiring students and how to hire students through Career Services. In addition, we ask that applicable businesses offer deals or discounts to Mercer students. In return, SGA will list and market these “Mercer friendly” business on our Facebook and our website,” explained Davis.
When businesses sign up, SGA provides them with Mercer gear, including team schedules, posters, etc., so that they can show support for the Bears in their place of business. These businesses will also place the SGA decal in their storefront windows to show the community their support of Mercer.
SGA is partnering with College Hill, the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Macon, Unity-N-Community, and other existing avenues to get the word out to local businesses that wish to participate.     At this time, 10 businesses have registered and pledged to post over a dozen jobs and internships in fields like graphic design, marketing, journalism/ photography, business management, accounting, and music venue promotion. Paint The Town Orange is in its initial stages but has already confirmed partnerships with the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority, Saturna & Company (a CPA firm), the 567 Center for Renewal (a multifaceted non-profit downtown), DonSon Productions (a custom laser-engraving business), 11th Hour and other local businesses.
SGA has taken the steps to ensure the program’s sustainability and growth by working with Mercer’s business school to create a service-learning course that will market the program throughout Macon and on campus. “Josh and I are both in the class and will work closely with that team of students to ensure that we create as many opportunities as possible for students,” said Davis.
The program will be formally announced August 23 at a press conference with Mayor Reichert and Mike Dyer, the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
“We are very excited about the potential of this program to create a sustainable connection between Mercer students and the Macon community. In the long run, we would love to see students living and working in Macon after graduation. As Mercerians, we have so much to offer the local community; it’s just about matching Macon’s needs with Mercer’s abundant resources, namely its educated, service-oriented, vibrant student body,” said Davis.
For more information on the Paint the Town Orange initiative you can e-mail the address paintmaconorange@gmail.com.
SGA is a body of elected representatives that connect Mercer’s administration with the student population. The Senate body meets weekly to discuss issues and pass legislation to enhance student life on campus. Meetings are held every Monday at 5:30 pm in Conference Room II of the Connell Student Center.