Dear Editor:
I can certainly agree with the editorial staff of the Collegian that the Student Governing Association has spent a large amount of time this year working on “internal” issues, such as elections procedures and other bylaws. Personally, there are numerous other initiatives I would rather be working on Thursday nights. However, the elections procedures are not the only project SGA has been working on. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few of the projects we are proud of.
SGA, in collaboration with New Student Services, spearheaded the first-ever Week of Welcome (WOW). Also at K-State’s first-ever pep rally, nearly 5,000 students were in attendance.
A mandatory rental inspection program passed through the Manhattan City Commission after nearly a 30-year effort; SGA played a major role in supporting and directing that legislation.
The Powercat Financial Counseling office opened this fall in the Office of Student Activities and Services, and employs one full-time staff professional. The idea for this center began as a platform of the Matt Wagner and Lydia Peele campaign, and was made a reality in the past year with funding from SGA.
The Student Body President’s Advisory Board was created to increase and diversify the number of student groups represented in SGA.
The number of intersession courses offered for January 2010 has increased to more than 50, with more than 10 of these courses being offered entirely online. This is the highest number of courses ever offered during an intersession term, which was a main platform issue of Wayne’s and my campaign.
Through the leadership of the Speaker of the Student Senate, Amy Schultz, great progress has been made on the plans for expanding the Recreational Center. Bids for construction and groundbreaking will take place this spring with construction scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2011.
Stemming from our Real Safety platform, SGA has begun an initiative to improve the safety of students in the community. We have been working closely with the Aggieville Safety Committee, meeting with leaders on campus and in the community and performed walk-through assessments in many neighborhoods to determine locations where lighting is non-functioning or insufficient.
Later this month, we will be launching the first in a series of online chats with President Kirk Schulz to give students an exclusive chance to ask questions about issues concerning the student body.
The Long Term Tuition Strategies Committee held its first meeting a week ago, two months ahead of schedule, to take a proactive approach in examining K-State’s current tuition and fee strategy. In the spring, this committee will make a recommendation about tuition and fees, keeping the best interests of students in mind.
Members of SGA have been actively involved in the budget process, reviewing more than 1,500 budget reduction or revenue generation proposals.
The Governmental Relations Committee and SGA are currently developing a proposal for City-University Fund, which will allocate more than $570,000 to projects impacting both students and the Manhattan community.
We have played a critical role in welcoming the new administration. SGA has assisted in setting priorities and guidelines that will benefit the future of K-State. In addition, SGA has been actively involved in the search for a new provost and a new vice president for communications and marketing.
SGA has worked closely with the athletics department to improve ticketing procedures, including the sale of football-only tickets and a better line-up procedure for the KU basketball game.
A proposal requiring mandatory faculty evaluations was passed through Faculty Senate due to the efforts of Speaker Schultz, giving students the opportunity to evaluate all of their professors at the end of each semester.
SGA played an active role in improving the K-State Emergency Alerts program, which includes the installation of Alertus beacons in several campus buildings.
Just this week, I started a column to keep students informed and involved with the issues happening on campus.
SGA is currently engaged in a complete redesign of its Web site to make it more user-friendly for students, and ensure they can find information about events and programs or contact us anytime at sga@k-state.edu.
SGA has already funded 35 student groups for a total of $31,218.65 to allow them to host or attend conferences, bring in speakers and entertainers, improve their professional and self development, etc.
We have recommended more than $360,000 in Educational Opportunity Funds for 26 campus entities to provide some of the most essential student services we can offer on campus.
The Privilege Fee committee and SGA completed the review of the Bramlage Coliseum’s fee structure and approved renewed funding. The committee is currently evaluating four Student Union privilege fee accounts.
SGA brought to close the final chapter of one of the most heated disputes of last year by fulfilling our commitment to secure alternative funding for the University Marching Band in collaboration with University President’s office. SGA even sponsored our very own band uniform, with a donation of $456 from Senators and other SGA members.
Fortunately, not every issue SGA is working on requires a piece of legislation. In fact, much of our best work takes place outside our Student Senate meetings. I hope that K-State students can rest assured that myself along with fellow SGA members, are truly working every day to improve the lives of students at K-State. Please let us know what else we can do for to help best serve you. This session is not even close to over.
-Dalton Henry, Student Body President
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SGA Accomplishments: ZERO