On the outside, the Student Government Association legislates, debates, discusses and forms policies concerning the students of Saint Louis University.

On the inside, however, SGA cannot survive without a talented group of individuals who coordinate daily activities as well as process the enormous amount of paperwork that moves through the office.

Every Wednesday night SGA meets to discuss new business and legislation for the current session. Numerous senators and guests in the adjacent gallery speak their thoughts and ideas, oftentimes in dismay or praise of a current topic.

These thoughts, sayings and ideas are called the minutes, and they contain a complete account of every word said at an SGA meeting. It is often a tough job writing minutes, since meetings can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.

Monica Dickinson has been taking these minutes for close to a year, accurately documenting every quote from every senator and student.

Dickinson, a pre-med sophomore majoring in biology, is part of the SGA staff that keeps the meetings organized and efficient.

After leaving her clerical job at the Simon Recreation Center last year, Dickinson persued a staff job at SGA under former SGA president Joseph Hodes.

“I joined SGA because [my roommate] Colleen O’Malley worked there. She encouraged me to join and work in the office along with Chief of Staff Carrie Mungenast,” said Dickinson.

Although Dickinson is known affectionately in the office as “Intern Monica,” she is anything but the intern most people would assume her to be. She can be seen in the office working endlessly, preparing agendas and reports for upcoming meetings.

While some students would question what happens in the SGA office, Dickinson sits back and laughs while recounting what the normal day-to-day activity is in the SGA office.

“During the day, however, we often spend several hours a day making hundreds of copies, as well as socializing, joking around, offering hugs and generally having fun,” Dickinson said.

At times, however, the fun ends and the work begins.

During the SGA presidential election last year, the SGA staff was hard at work to provide fast answers for anxious students.

Dickinson said that although at times the work can be strenuous, she enjoys working at SGA because of its laid-back atmosphere and friendly staff.

As for working under SGA president Jay Perry, Dickinson said he is okay to work under but at times can be perfectionistic towards the staff.

According to Perry, “Monica is an invaluable and dedicated member of our staff. No matter who you are or what your business is in SGA, Monica stands out not only as a member of the staff but as a friend to all who enter.”

Dickinson hopes to accomplish several goals after taking the job of Chief of Staff next semester.

“If we can keep up the relaxing atmosphere and friendliness of the staff, I think I will enjoy it as much as I have already enjoyed my year here on staff at SGA,” Dickinson said.