Student Government Association Blog

Your Student Body. Your Student Voice. SGA.

Archives for February 2011

Alternative Spring Break Applications Available

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The Student Government Association is sponsoring an Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Saturday, March 5 to Thursday, March 10. Students will participate in various community service activities within Springfield, working with area organizations like Boys and Girls Club, Kids Against Hunger, and Ozark Greenways.

Housing and transportation will be available, and food will be provided during the week.

Applications can be found online at sga.missouristate.edu within the ‘forms’ menu under the ‘documents’ tab, or in the SGA office.  Applications are due Thursday, March 3, to the SGA office in PSU 123; there will be an informational meeting on Friday, March 4, for all participating. Questions about ASB should be directed to Abigail Jasinski, Director of Student Affairs, at Jasinski222@live.missouristate.edu.

 

Evaluation of Intramural Sports Rules Recommended

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On Tuesday, February 22, 2011 the Student Government Association passed a resolution recommending that the Office of Campus Recreation form a committee to explore changes to gender-specific guidelines.

SGA recognizes that while the intent of gender-specific guidelines are to foster equal participation across all genders, a recent poll conducted by the organization found 64% of students felt that gender-specific rules and scoring are unfair.

SGA recommends the committee consist of students, Campus Recreation officials, and any other persons that the Office of Campus Recreations sees fit to include, as well as two official SGA representatives.

For more information, please contact Kinsley Stocum, Director of Communications, at kinsley17@missouristate.edu.

 

A Letter from Samuel Hooker, Chief Elections Commissioner

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The 22nd of February marked the day petitions for Student Body President/Vice President tickets were released and what is sure to be an exciting election season began.  In the coming weeks, campaigns for these tickets, as well as for Senior Class President, will begin emerging all across campus—we will likely see t-shirts with catchy slogans, posters with names and faces, and die-cut window decs as far as you care to look.  All of these campaigns have one goal in mind: to represent the student body. This campaign cycle, I encourage you to engage with what the campaigns have to offer and become a truly informed voter in an election that will impact the student experience at Missouri State for years.

 

Getting engaged in these campaigns can be very beneficial to students. The tickets campaigning for these offices are going to directly affect students and the quality of their time at Missouri State.  After all, holding one of these executive positions encompasses more than just an impressive title; the ticket you choose will be saddled with great responsibility and backed by a budget (approximately $32,000 per year) that is funded entirely by the student body.  These tickets will be representing you when they meet with faculty, staff, and administration to discuss changes to the university and its policies, and when they actively propose projects and bring forward proposals that they have conceived themselves.  The platforms that these tickets run on will be realized through your student fees, and in the coming months the students of Missouri State will be given an outlet where they will decide whom they trust with their representation.  From midnight on Monday, April 4th until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6th, the polls are open at elections.missouristate.edu; last year, approximately 1,600 students spoke for a campus of 20,000.  If you think your vote doesn’t count, think again.

 

The Student Government Association is always working for you, and I encourage you to reciprocate by taking some time this election season to become acquainted with these candidates and their separate, unique platforms.  Equally important are the ballot initiatives, like Wyrick Proposals, which will be available for review on the SGA website in advance of the opening of the polls.  Each ticket will be proposing changes they would like to see SGA work on to advance the rights of students as well as improve the quality of the University—and while it is the candidates’ job to give you that information, it is up to you make an informed decision as to whom you would like to see representing the entire student body.

 

A Letter from Madison Wilson, Chief Sustainability Commissioner

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Like the idea of stainless steel water bottles? Or do you wish our campus had a bike rental program? These are just two examples of past projects that were approved by the Sustainability Commission, a branch of the Student Government Association. The Green Bike Program will be kicking off the week after Spring Break, allowing Resident Hall members to rent bikes for an entire semester, for a small charge of $10!

All projects submitted to the Commission are completely student-initiated, and those approved are funded entirely by the Sustainability Fund. The fund currently has a budget exceeding $200,000, and is financed by the $2/semester Sustainability Fee that every student pays and which is then matched by the University President each semester. Every penny of the Sustainability Fund is at MSU students’ disposal for sustainably minded projects.

The Sustainability Commission urges students to take advantage of the Fund by submitting proposals that will lessen the environmental impact of the University and promote sustainability. An ideal proposal would compliment at least one of the aspects of sustainability: environmentally, socially, or economically. Sustainability is much more than just recycling and being environmentally minded. The Commission accepts proposals from all areas of sustainability, no proposal is too small, and few projects are unattainable.

A template was created to assist students in writing proposals and can be found on the Student Government Association website. A basic proposal must include a proper justification for the proposal, verification of administrative support, and details outlining the project. The Commission is always available in assisting students compose proposals and acquiring necessary information.

The Sustainability Commission will continue accepting proposals until the completion of the semester. Any student interested in proposing a sustainable project or obtaining more information regarding the Sustainability Commission is advised to contact the Chief Sustainability Commissioner, Madison Wilson at Madison724@missouristate.edu.

 

 

Date of Release of Petitions Announced

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The Elections Commission has announced that petitions for Student Body President/Vice President tickets will be available on Tuesday, February 22nd.

Students interested in running for these offices are required to collect 750 student signatures and should meet Chief Elections Commissioner Sam Hooker in the SGA Office (PSU 123) at 8:00 a.m.

If students are unavailable to meet at that time they should email Chief Elections Commissioner Hooker at Elections@missouristate.edu.

For more information, please contact Kinsley Stocum, Director of Communications, at kinsley17@missouristate.edu.