Student Government debuts 'Patriot Chat' video messages

Student Body President Allyson Bowers introduces SG's new initiative to reach out to students in this video posted on the group's YouTube channel.

George Mason University’s Student Government is exploring a new way of reaching students on a regular basis: video.

In an attempt to make the work of Student Government more public and accessible, the organization plans to upload a new video each week to its newly created YouTube channel, according to Student Body President Allyson Bowers.

“We’re trying as an organization to use social media on a heightened scale,” said Bowers. “…In two to five minutes, you’ll find out what Student Government is doing  this way [through these videos].”

Dubbed “Patriot Chats,” the weekly video will act as an updated version of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “fireside chats” and operate under the same idea as President Barack Obama’s weekly YouTube addresses. The videos will be an easy, quick way to see what Student Government is doing that week and how students can get involved.

The first video acts as an introduction to the concept, according to Bowers, who is featured in the video. Bowers introduces herself and discusses the candlelight vigil the organization is holding on Sunday, Sept. 11 to honor 9/11 victims, their families and those currently serving in the armed forces.

The vigil is scheduled for 9 p.m. in the Johnson Center North Plaza. A moment of silence is scheduled for 9:11 p.m.

Other members of Student Government will participate in the Patriot Chats in the weeks to come, speaking about their respective projects. Next week’s video is expected to include Matthew Short, the chair of Student Government’s government and academic affairs committee, and Leslie Cook, secretary of the government and academic affairs committee. Topics will include what the new University Precinct polling place means for those voting in elections and the planned Provost and Deans’ Dinner, an upcoming event to provide another venue for discussion about academics at the university between students and administration.

New Patriot Chats will be uploaded and viewable in the beginning half of the week, according to Bowers.