Posted April 22, 2015

TUnity earns national praise

Joseph V. Labolito
Representatives of Temple Student Government celebrate the national honor they received for the TUnity initiative.

Temple Student Government (TSG) recently received a national honor for its TUnity initiative, which included an online pledge for mutual respect among students and an event to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of campus life at Temple.

The Association of College Unions International (ACUI) recognized TSG with the Student-Driven Program of the Year Award, given to a program implemented by students that “represents standards of excellence in campus programming.”

TSG representatives received the honor at ACUl’s 2015 annual conference, held in San Antonio April 8–11.

In fall 2014, TSG officers, with input from a wide array of students, wrote the TUnity statement to model how students should conduct themselves in and out of the classroom. The campus community was then invited to an Oct. 28, 2014, event that included music and entertainment and resulted in Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter declaring the day TUnity Day.

More than 14,000 people signed the online TUnity statement, which begins, “As Temple Owls, we respect all members of our university and local community regardless of: race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, socioeconomic status, veteran status, political affiliation, or (dis)ability. By providing a wealth of life experience, this diversity is our greatest strength.”

“The outpouring of support from students and Temple’s administration for TUnity illustrated the greatness we can achieve when we break down barriers and work toward a common goal,” said Student Body President Raymond Smeriglio, Class of 2015. “We greatly appreciate the recognition for this initiative and continue to focus on various ways in which our student body can learn and grow together.”

TSG’s mission is to provide a representative government, advocate in the best interests of the student body and act as the official voice of students in academic, institutional and campus affairs.