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| SGA prepares for year, seeks improvements |
By Justin
Boulmay
Staff Writer |
The Student Government Association
(SGA) is preparing for a new school year, while simultaneously preparing
for changes to the organization.
All internal changes are designed to make sure SGA is the most effective
organization it can possibly be, SGA president Rachel A. Johnson
said Wednesday.
Goals for the student government this year include giving the student
body a greater voice and accomplishing goals more quickly and efficiently,
Johnson said.
Other concerns are improving student safety on campus and creating
easier access for students with disabilities, Johnson said.
One goal, getting 150 local businesses to contribute to the new
Student Discount Card, was accomplished during the summer, SGA Director
of External Affairs April M. Stewart said Friday.
Stewart said 155 businesses, including Murphy’s, Nine West,
and Precision Printing, are featured on the card.
“I set the goal at 150,” she said. “I didn’t
know if we would actually be able to get it, but we did.”
The card will be distributed to student post office boxes in a few
weeks.
The SGA’s “Operation: Outreach” program, in which
senators communicated with off-campus students, will undergo changes,
SGA Director of Internal Affairs Callie J. Hargett said Thursday.
In the past, senators and off-campus students would communicate
through clubs.
“This year...all off-campus senators will be contacting all
off-campus students by e-mail,” Hargett said. “That way,
it’s a little more personal.”
On-campus students can contact senators through their residence
halls,º Hargett said.
Hargett said she believes the simplicity of e-mail as opposed to
going to a meeting will increase communication between senators
and students.
Plans have been made to change some aspects of the SGA system, Johnson
said.
“We’re going to do a revamp of the entire [constitution],”
she said.
A committee will be appointed to go through and correct the “gray
areas” of the constitution, such as the election process.
Expectations and responsibilities of senators will increase in response
to problems from last year, Johnson said.
“[Last year] senators got to continue being senators when they
failed to do their duty,” she said.
Senators will be required to schedule at least one office hour per
week as well as attend weekly meetings and participate in community
service activities.
Cabinet members should have 15 office hours, Johnson said.
All legislation that is presented at meetings will have to be accompanied
by a research form supporting the legislation, Johnson said.
No such rule existed last year. |
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