Spring Break
Senate meets with prospect
Yusuf Al-Siddiq
Issue date: 9/16/02 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
After a moment of silence was taken last Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Student Government Association's (SGA) Senate held their third meeting this semester in the University Center, Room 117.
The privatized housing, credit card soliciting and Alumni Association's additional graduation fees were among the major topics discussed and assessed by the elected officials during the meeting. Through the course of the evening, senators voiced student opinion in response to topics under discussion.
After Stephanie Hill, SGA administrative vice-president, commenced the roll call, the meeting went on to upcoming events and the issue of privatized housing. Privatized housing is when the University hires an outside firm to build and manage a residency hall. Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Development Debra Lewis says, "It will be a faster way to set up a residence hall without going through all the state procedures related to bonds and so forth." Debra expects the new hall to be open by fall of 2004.
"Considering our freshmen student body has been increasing . . . it's something that we've been looking forward to for a long time," says Robert Million, Student Government Senator of the Bloc School of Business. While being put on a waiting list for the dormitory rooms, many students find themselves in a position where they are stuck paying $420 a month at Twin Oaks. According to Senator Million, this problem has been overlooked for as long as 20 years.
The second subject, the credit card issue, has not been around for quite as long. The question was, "Should the credit card solicitors be given student information such as e-mail accounts, or addresses?" Arts and Sciences students simply did not want to be solicited. Representatives from this department said, "Students didn't want another chance to get another free T-shirt and $20,000 in debt." Of course, this question was responded to with a unanimous "Nay."
Finally, senators gave their students' feedback on the Alumni Association's additional graduation fees, which would be added to the tuition of seniors to pay for graduation items such as the hat and gown, as well as alumni-related fees. On this issue, there was only one concern that came from international students from the business school. They appealed to keep the fees low, since they would not able to participate in the alumni program.
Also during this hour-long meeting, three student organization constitutions were passed, including the Psi Chi Greek organization, the Catholic Student Organization, and the SSPJD (Students Supporting the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency). All three of their constitutions were approved, which makes this the first year to have eleven constitutions accepted. In fact, this semester, they will be delegating a committee specified to handle processing constitutions.
The last Wednesday was an eventful day in that not only were we given a chance to look back and commemorate 9/11, but the SGA meeting kept a good feeling of change for the better, not only for now, but for years to come. After a moment of silence was taken last Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, we began to think of the future. Three new student associations, the eventual development of privatized housing, and weeks to come filled with student-oriented events are what to expect from this council meeting.
The privatized housing, credit card soliciting and Alumni Association's additional graduation fees were among the major topics discussed and assessed by the elected officials during the meeting. Through the course of the evening, senators voiced student opinion in response to topics under discussion.
After Stephanie Hill, SGA administrative vice-president, commenced the roll call, the meeting went on to upcoming events and the issue of privatized housing. Privatized housing is when the University hires an outside firm to build and manage a residency hall. Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Development Debra Lewis says, "It will be a faster way to set up a residence hall without going through all the state procedures related to bonds and so forth." Debra expects the new hall to be open by fall of 2004.
"Considering our freshmen student body has been increasing . . . it's something that we've been looking forward to for a long time," says Robert Million, Student Government Senator of the Bloc School of Business. While being put on a waiting list for the dormitory rooms, many students find themselves in a position where they are stuck paying $420 a month at Twin Oaks. According to Senator Million, this problem has been overlooked for as long as 20 years.
The second subject, the credit card issue, has not been around for quite as long. The question was, "Should the credit card solicitors be given student information such as e-mail accounts, or addresses?" Arts and Sciences students simply did not want to be solicited. Representatives from this department said, "Students didn't want another chance to get another free T-shirt and $20,000 in debt." Of course, this question was responded to with a unanimous "Nay."
Finally, senators gave their students' feedback on the Alumni Association's additional graduation fees, which would be added to the tuition of seniors to pay for graduation items such as the hat and gown, as well as alumni-related fees. On this issue, there was only one concern that came from international students from the business school. They appealed to keep the fees low, since they would not able to participate in the alumni program.
Also during this hour-long meeting, three student organization constitutions were passed, including the Psi Chi Greek organization, the Catholic Student Organization, and the SSPJD (Students Supporting the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency). All three of their constitutions were approved, which makes this the first year to have eleven constitutions accepted. In fact, this semester, they will be delegating a committee specified to handle processing constitutions.
The last Wednesday was an eventful day in that not only were we given a chance to look back and commemorate 9/11, but the SGA meeting kept a good feeling of change for the better, not only for now, but for years to come. After a moment of silence was taken last Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002, we began to think of the future. Three new student associations, the eventual development of privatized housing, and weeks to come filled with student-oriented events are what to expect from this council meeting.
