Student Government Association Blog

Your Student Body. Your Student Voice. SGA.

Governor Nixon Announces Missouri State’s Next Student Governor

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Governor Nixon announced last week that Missouri State University’s next Student Governor will be Paige Jenkins, whose appointment will be confirmed by Missouri legislators on February 22, 2012.

Jenkins, who currently serves as the Chief Sustainability Commissioner for Student Government Association, has played a key role in several projects on campus this year, including the installation of hydration stations in academic buildings and MSU’s purchase of an electric vehicle for campus.

Jenkins will serve a two-year term as Student Governor, during which she will attend all meetings with the Board of Governors and serve as a non-voting representative of student interests.

Jenkins is a junior majoring in Agronomy with a minor in Chinese who hopes to pursue a career in agricultural law after finishing law school.

For more information, please contact Paige Oxendine, Chief Communications Officer, at Oxendine100@live.missouristate.edu.

SGA Places Health Fee Increase on Spring Ballot

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Missouri State’s Student Government Association recently approved a resolution which will place a referendum on the spring ballot asking students whether or not they support increasing the Taylor Health Center Fee by $2.

Despite health care services costs increasing at an average rate of 10% per year, the Taylor Health Center Fee has not increased for the last four years.

If passed by students, the Taylor Health Center Fee would increase from $56.50 per semester to $58.50 per semester. The increase would be split with $1 going toward maintaining current Taylor Health and Wellness services, and the other $1 would be used to offer free flu shots to approximately 5,000 students.

The referendum will be placed on the spring ballot, which will be available to students for online voting April 9th through April 11th.

For more information, please contact Paige Oxendine, Chief Communications Officer, at Oxendine100@live.missouristate.edu.

SGA Calls for Civility Pieces from Students

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Missouri State’s Student Government Association has called for the submission of student pieces inspired by the Be Civil Be Heard campaign. Students may submit editorials of no more than 600 words or cartoons regarding experiences with or thoughts on civility.

Students responsible for submissions chosen will receive a gift card to the MSU Bookstore in addition to having their work published in The Standard.

All interested students are encouraged to submit their material to sga@missouristate.edu by February 7, 2012.

For more information, please contact Paige Oxendine, Chief Communications Officer, at Oxendine100@live.missouristate.edu.

BearLine Shuttles Introduce Extended Schedule

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Missouri State University’s BearLine shuttle service has expanded its schedule as part of a pilot program to offer students transportation to the downtown Springfield area on Friday and Saturday nights.

The new route will run from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays with stops at the Plaster Student Union, Scholars House, Greek Row, Kentwood Hall, Park Central Square, and Hammons Student Center.

Missouri State’s Student Government Association worked extensively with university administrators in the development of the pilot program, which will run until Spring Break. At the end of the pilot program administrators will make a decision as to whether or not the extended route will be permanent.

For more information, please contact Paige Oxendine, Chief Communications Officer, at Oxendine100@live.missouristate.edu.

SGA Completes Busy Semester

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Missouri State’s Student Government Association has recently wrapped up a busy fall semester, which included the passage of over a dozen resolutions pertaining to the student body.

A few highlights of SGA’s work this past semester include the placement of a printer for student use in the lower level of the Plaster Student Union, the allocation of funds for nine additional bike racks on campus, and the adoption of the Civility Movement at Missouri State. The Student Government Association also recommended the MSU Bookstore begin carrying Fair Trade BearWear, asked professors to make course syllabi available to students prior to registration, expressed support for universal design across campus, and suggested changes to the student seating policy in JQH Arena.

Next semester will be just as busy for the organization, with many projects already underway. SGA plans to carry on with work done this semester relating to the plus/minus system currently in place on campus, possibly asking administrators to repeal the policy. The organization also plans to continue working with University officials to implement an additional BearLine route that would run from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday nights. A third project to be completed next semester involves the lack of proper lighting on Madison Street, where many students walk to and from class. SGA approached City Utilities about the issue, who has now pledged to install at least one additional streetlight in the area.

Student Government Association will also be hosting their annual Jefferson City Showcase this spring, in which SGA members spend the day at the Capitol speaking to legislators and informing them of SGA’s work on campus.
For more information, please contact Paige Oxendine, Chief Communications Officer, at Oxendine100@live.missouristate.edu.