On February 6, 2024, legislation was passed by Dillard University’s Student Government Association’s Senate to join the Historically Black Colleges & Universities coalition. 

The HBCU Coalition is a union of Student Government Associations from all different HBCUs. The purpose of the coalition is for SGAs from all HBCUs to collaborate more effectively when discussing event planning, campus issues, and legislation. 

Dillard University’s 88th SGA President, Lena Uddyback, said, “The HBCU coalition is important because we’re able to band together to pass resolutions and other pieces of legislation to help amplify concerns or problems that are taking place at our campuses.”

The creators of the HBCU coalition thought it would be a great idea to get SGAs together. It will have an impact if representatives from SGAs of different HBCUs can amplify concern over issues and bring more awareness for bigger resolutions. Xavier University of Louisiana’s Student Government Association invited Dillard to become a part of the partnership. 

President Uddyback stated, “We thought it would be a great opportunity to connect and collaborate.” Uddyback explained, “It would be a great move for our SGA. It would give our senators an advantage to look at other schools’ legislation, bringing more insight into what other campuses are doing.” 

One of the missions and goals of The Phoenix Administration is collaboration. The President believes it is one of the biggest collaborations they’ll ever do. The decision will leave behind a legacy for the following administrations.