SGA president welcomes back Pirates for new semester

The East Carolina University Student Government Association (SGA) President Ryan Bonnett wrote an email statement on Jan. 9 to welcome back students and make announcements for the Polar Bear Plunge and SGA’s new meal swipe donation program.

College has been difficult in recent times, Bonnett wrote, but he is optimistic about the new spring semester. It is up to ECU students to make the new semester a success, he wrote.

“I encourage you to get involved and make the most of your time here at ECU,” Bonnett wrote. “There are so many opportunities to get involved in campus life, meet new friends, and make a positive impact on our community.”

ECU tradition, the Polar Bear Plunge, will take place on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the outdoor pool of the Eakin Student Recreation Center, Bonnett wrote. Students who participate get a free t-shirt and deck of cards, he wrote.

Students can use the ECU Recreation and Wellness app to preregister ahead of time and skip the line at the event, Bonnett wrote. For students not wanting to jump in the pool by themselves, Bonnett wrote there is a form students can fill out to be assigned a Jumper Buddy.

“Come out and join us for a little refreshing dip in the pool, free food, and live music,” Bonnett wrote.

SGA and Swipe Out Hunger, a national nonprofit fighting food insecurity, are launching a program allowing students to donate meal swipes to Purple Pantry, Bonnett wrote. Any student in need, he wrote, can claim some of these meal swipes at the pantry.

Students can donate their own meal swipes through the app, GET Mobile, Bonnett wrote. Gold meal plan members can donate two Pirate Meals and Purple members may donate two guest swipes, Bonnett wrote.

“If you have a meal plan, I encourage you to consider donating,” Bonnett wrote. “Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our peers and build a stronger, more supportive community at ECU.”