The Student Government Association hosted its bi-annual Town Hall on Nov. 8 in JFK Lounge.
University administrators who participated in the event included President Malachi Van Tassell; Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike McGinnis; Police Chief Brian Ianuzzi, Vice President for Finance and Administration Jeff Savino; General Manager of Dining Services Reggie Esmi; and Assistant Director of Residence Life Sarah Gerber.
Fr. Malachi opened the event by sharing information on some of SFU’s recent successes. He noted that a $1 million gift for the formation of a varsity baseball team has been received, but he added that this gift will only cover roughly 25 percent of what will be needed to launch a baseball program.
John Kornitzer made the $1 million donation to help launch the baseball program. He is a 1968 graduate of Saint Francis and the founder of Buffalo Funds, a Kansas City-based mutual fund. Once the new baseball facility is built, it will be named “Buffalo Funds Ballfield.”
Father Malachi told those in attendance at the Town Hall that 200 first-year students received the “Toth Scholarship,” which awards recipients $5,000 each. He described this scholarship as a “sign of faith” following the March announcement that the University will transition its Athletics Program from Division I to Division III during the 2026-27 academic year.
SGA also showcased several of its recent successes, announcing that a student-facing food pantry is in the works, and that a CPR certification class will be offered in the spring semester.
SGA members’ questions were fielded by the panel, followed by an open mic session. Topics included the transition to D3, parking concerns, the Frankie chatbot, the launch of SFU’s Turning Point USA chapter, and the status of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art building on campus.
Much of the conversation centered on the transition to Division III.
Fr. Malachi said that the University is focusing on a “strategic planning process” to promote affordability, accessibility and inclusion. He added that a committee – one led by Associate Dean of the Shields School of Business John Miko and Associate Athletics Director Lisa Swope – has been created to balance athletic and academic interests during the transition period and beyond.
Father Malachi also stressed the importance of continued student input during the transition process.
Regarding parking on campus, Ianuzzi noted that an outdated enforcement system has kept parking citations this semester to a minimum However, the police chief told Town Hall attendees that a new system is now operational, and that violators of parking policies will be fined more consistently.
Ianuzzi also said an updated surveillance system will be implemented soon and that it will include additional cameras in spots that were previously blind ones.
McGinnis discussed the Frankie chatbot, which launched earlier this year. He said it is intended to help students and augment administrative workload. McGinnis urged students to utilize the chatbot.
Fr. Malachi addressed the University’s new Turning Point USA chapter and expressed his excitement about the addition of the club. He said that the chapter and the “inherent good nature” of SFU students will further civil, thoughtful dialogue and debate on campus.
The long-term vacancy of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art building – formerly Doyle Hall – was also addressed. Savino said that the building’s repair costs are too great and not “economically viable.”
He said that all artwork previously stored in the building has been returned to the parent museum and that the building will be demolished at a date to be announced soon.
The meeting concluded with the swearing-in of SGA’s new Executive Board.
