Student Life and Engagement

Student Life and Engagement at Forsyth Tech is structuring a community of learners and inspiring the growth of each student by facilitating extracurricular and co-curricular programs that support leadership development, community involvement, engagement, personal empowerment, teamwork, and service.

How we achieve this goal:

• Create programs and events that foster interactions among the diverse members of the Forsyth Tech community
• Engage student leaders to discover new knowledge that enables them to critically evaluate evidence, make informed judgments, balance multiple perspectives, and act ethically
• Expand opportunities for experimental learning, civic engagement, cultural enrichment, leadership development, recreation and service learning
• Inspire students to become active members of the campus and community
• Maintain spaces and resources for students focused on initiatives that enrich College culture
• Provide advising, training, and mentoring to student leaders and advisors

Our Vision

We provide diverse and innovative programs that foster student engagement, leadership development, and commitment to the community.

Our Mission

Student Life & Engagement strives to enhance the educational and leadership abilities of students through student government, athletics, recreation, and volunteer opportunities.

Our Values

Student Life & Engagement value a student-centered community where:

• Diversity and inclusion are embedded in our work, programs, and activities
• Integrity guides our sense of fairness, honesty, and empathy
• Communication is open, respectful, and continuous
• Excellence is achieved through best practices, knowledge, and demonstrated capability
• Collaboration exists in the essence of learning, engaging, and creativity
• Innovative methods bring about the progression of personal growth, sustainable development, and knowledge

Student Government Association (SGA)

The Student Government Association (SGA) is composed of all current Forsyth Technical Community College students and is governed by the Student Government Council. The Student Government Council consists of student government officers and representatives. Students develop skills in leadership, networking, team building, and project management. These are lifelong skills that are useful in any career. Students also have an opportunity to engage in college-wide and community activities that not only enhance the individual but allow them to give back.

The Student Government Association is intended to be a laboratory of development for motivated students. This is an organization in which students can test their education, experiment with social and group dynamics; and make positive, personal, and professional changes.

Responsibilities of the Student Government Council include developing and implementing student programs under the guidance of an advisor. Conducting meetings, addressing student issues, maintaining office hours, and working and managing events are all part of the learning adventure with SGA. During meetings and projects, students learn and practice parliamentary procedure, group dynamics, and teamwork and gain the experience of getting things done in a diverse setting. The SGA is the voice of the students.

Membership Requirements

Students interested in becoming a member of the Student Government Council must:

• All candidates must be currently enrolled in at least six credit hours, and candidates who are returning students must have a cumulative 2.5 Grade Point Average.
• Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the SGA Advisor(s). After being reviewed for eligibility, qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview with members of the SGA Interview Committee and SGA Advisors(s).
• No student who has been placed on probation by the College for violation of the Student Code of Conduct is eligible to hold a position in SGA.
• All members must satisfy the duties of the office as stated by the SGA Constitution.
• Applicants must submit a personal statement of interest that is not to exceed one (1) page.
• Applicants must have at least three (3) faculty or staff member references. If you are a new student, talk to your instructors. Let them know what you plan to do and ask for their support.
• Applications may be submitted during designated membership drive periods which vary each year. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

Student Activities and Recreational Opportunities

Forsyth Tech strives to offer its students more than just an academic education. Efforts are made to provide students with extracurricular opportunities for involvement that will help to educate the total individual. By providing extracurricular activities, Forsyth Tech recognizes that a college education includes social, professional, and cultural involvement, as well as academics.

Students may participate in various coed intramural sports such as basketball, flag football, soccer, and volleyball. Equipment and registration fees are paid out of the student activity fee budget. Golf tournaments, bowling leagues, and ice skating are also offered every year to students at a greatly reduced price.

Students are invited to come by the Student Life and Engagement Office, Suite 124 (1st floor), Technology and Student Services Building, Main Campus to find out more about what Forsyth Tech has to offer outside the classroom.

All credit students pay the student activity fee when they register and automatically become members of Forsyth Tech’s Student Government Association. Though called an activity fee, it is used for more than just providing activities. Below is a list of expenses covered by the student activity fee.

• Graduation expenses are partially covered. It costs over $50 per student to hold a graduation ceremony but there is no additional graduation cost to students.
• Student publications such as the Student Handbook and Academic Planner and the student newsletter, Technically Speaking, are available to all students. The purpose of the student newsletter is for students to prepare and organize a publication that benefits other students. The responsibility of the institution is to guide the students and funding for the printing of the newsletter. All student communications shall explicitly state that the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the College or of its students. Students can become involved in writing, photography, editing, desktop publishing, ad solicitation, and paper distribution. A student who is interested in becoming a newsletter staff member should email technicallyspeaking@forsythtech.edu or visit the Student Life and Engagement office.
• All Student Government Association expenses are paid out of student activity fee funds. Expenses include the staff salaries, supplies, and materials for the Student Life and Engagement office and all SGA printing expenses.

If you have questions regarding student organizations, please contact Student Life and Engagement, Suite 124 (1st floor), Technology Building, Main Campus or call 336.734.7509.

Student Organizations

Academic-Related & Educational

• Interior Design Club
• Cyber Security Geeks
• Dental Hygiene Club
• Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology Club (GAIT)
• Math, Science, and Technology Student Network (MST)
• Medical Assisting Student Organization (MASO)
• Paralegal Association
• Student Nurses Association
• Student Practical Nursing Association
• Student Sonographers Association
• Touch Club (Massage Therapy)

Professional Organizations

• Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
• Institute for Electronics and Electrical Engineering (IEEE)

Service Organizations

• Future Advocates for Children of Tomorrow
• Human Services Club

Media & Publication

• Technically Speaking (Student Newspaper)
• Journalism Club

Diversity & Cultural

• International Club
• Hispanic Student Association
• Promotion, Respect, Individuality, Diversity, & Engagement (PRIDE) Club
• SWCircle (Shugart Women’s Center-Committed to Incorporating Resources Centered in Leadership Experiences)
• Student Veterans Association of Forsyth Tech

Recreation and Sports

• Checknowlogy Club
• Creative Writing Club
• Karate Club
• Intramural and Recreation Programs

Student Government

• Student Government Council
• Student Government Committees

Honor Societies

• Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society
• Alpha Mu Beta Honor Society
• Forsyth Tech Student Ambassadors Scholarship Program
• Lambda Nu Honor Society for Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Phi Tau Chapter
• Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society
• Sigma Theta Kappa (Criminal Justice)

Special Interest

• Forsyth Tech Anime Club
• Philosophical Society