Congratulations to Ricky and Kervin on their win for SGA President and Vice President!  I am very excited to hand over the job to Ricky and I know Nick is in full support of the job Kervin will do.  SGA is set for another year!

 Just a couple of updates for April:

 Soon the Senate will be passing a series of amendments to the Constitution.  As most of you know, our Const. is only a year or so old and we are working out the kinks as we go.  So, that is something to look forward to – a more defined, streamlined Const.!

 Also, we are very excited to report that Senate has made a change in the smoking policy on campus.  A survey was sent out for 2 weeks in March and it was determined that the majority of students wanted a change in the current policy.  As a result, the Senate passed a ban on smoking.  To accomodate those who do smoke, the Senate adjusted the origional complete ban to include designated smoking areas.  The next step is to get feedback from the Faculty Senate.  We will keep you posted!  And keep your eyes open for park benches and new cigarette trash bins.

Lastly, for April, we are in the process of getting a UPASS for all students, staff, and faculty on campus.  A UPASS is a universal pass to use the GB bus system at any time on any route for free.  We have been working very hard with the city to get this pilot program for one year started.  Crystal Osman in particular has spearheaded this effort.  We are talks with the Chancellor about funding and anticipate the passing of a resolution the last week in April regarding the UPASS program.  Ricky and Kervin are committed to seeing it through next year and monitoring ridership numbers in order to renew the program if deemed necessary.

Finally, I would like to say that is has been my pleasure and honor to be SGA President for this year.  We have accomplished some incredible feats and I cannot wait to see it grow and flourish in the years to come! 

Spring break is fast approaching! Before we all go into shutdown mode – there are a few updates from SGA!

1. We are sending out a web survey through email for the entire student body. It is regarding the smoking policy change. We are simply asking students to review the current policy and check whether they think there should be change or not. The survey will be sent out soon and it will end Friday, March 21. At that time a recommendation will be made to the Health and Safety Committee based on the results and we will see what happens from there!

2. Elections are fast approaching! Please check the websites for the timeline and any updates. If you have any questions about running for office, please feel free to ask myself or Chief Justice Ryan Mach. Office hours are posted on the door and I’m available through email and appointment also. Good luck to everyone running! If you have questions about the position, please ask me. I’m always willing to give it to you straight about your responsibilities and the challenges of the job!

3. Myself, Ryan Mach, Andrei Varney, Nick Cibula, Joel Diny, Andy Locke, and Kervin Blanke are all going to Washington DC for LegCon. We are very excited to meet with our legislators in our nation’s capital and dicuss higher education. We will be gone for a chunk of Spring break and will be sure to report back to Senate all that we learn and discover.

4. The Senate recently passed the approval of FERPA policy regarding student’s rights about personal information and privacy. We made some suggestions to the Dean of Students about better training Ambassadors and RAs on the policy. Also, I will put a link on the SGA webpage for students. SGA is always willing to help a student when they need it, so if you have questions – just ask!

That is all I have for now! Keep watching the 4E for news and checking in with the blog!

Every year, student leaders from around the nation gather in Washington DC to receive updates on federal legislation and take action around issues of access and affordability for higher education.  The National Grassroots Legislative Conference (Leg Con) is an annual conference that brings together students from across the country to discuss and act on current legislative issues impacting access to higher education.  Leg Con features dynamic speakers, forums, workshops, and regional and constituency group meetings.  The conference culminates with the National Student Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, where students take their concerns directly to Congress.  This year, SGA wants to take a delegation of students! 

The trip will be from Saturday, March 15 to Tuesday, March 18, 2008.  We will be flying there and staying at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel with students from around the country.  This is a unique opportunity for us to network, gain some lobbying skills, and let our legislators hear the UWGB voice!  The cost to students should be approximately $150- 200.  This would include airfare, lodging, a few meals, and access to the workshops, speakers, and forums.  Check out the 4 day agenda here:  http://www.usstudents.org/our-work/trainings/delegation-leader-packets/08-agenda-final

 Since there is limited space available, those who are interested must fill out an application located in the SGA suites in the first floor of the Union.  Also, the form is attached for you to print, fill out and return.  The form is due February 18, 2008 to the SGA President mailbox in the SGA suites.

Recently, a comment was posted with a slightly negative twist toward SGA.  Unfortunately, that person decided to remain anonymous, so I am not able to address them individually.  However, I would like to respond to their very valid statements.

 First, we are all upset that the union is not finished.  Over the summer there was flooding and construction was delayed.  Now, the final date is April 21.  Most importantly, our food options are not all in place.  This is because Taco Bell had origionally committed to coming to our Union.  However, there were some franchising issues because of the University Ave. location.  So, the design and everything had been completed for Taco Bell, but that fell through.  Sodexho offered Ultimate Baja, but everyone involved had to go back to the drawing board to redesign the space.  The design process takes time and money.  Finally, the design is complete and the ball can get rolling again!  SGA has a Secretary specifically for Union and Dining issues.  She has a very close relationship with the Director of the Union and he keeps us up to date as well as puts pressure on the architects and construction company.  Patience is the key here, but things are coming along.

 Secondly, Anonymous, you must realize that UWGB is a small school.  We simply cannot get around the fact that there are only so many professors who already have a larger teaching load that most of the other UW schools.  In regards to signing up for classes, the SGA Student Services Secretary is currently working on getting more server space to cut down wait time on SIS.  Additionally, the school will now be operating under the Syracuse model starting this Fall.  This means classes will be 5 or 10 minutes longer and the school year will actually be shorter.  This also means classes will go futher into the afternoon providing for more sections.  Lastly, the Syracuse model will allow for UWGB to start having winterims, or classes during the winter break!  The last thing I will mention is that SGA did a survey last year regarding when students wanted to sign up for classes.  The majority of students responded with the desire for morning times, and the Registrar took that information into consideration and opened more slots this past semester in the morning.

The SGA Senators were elected by the general student body and it is their job to keep in touch with the student’s wishes.  We are a representative government and the Senators know they must keep in close contact with students to see what they want.  Additionally, as President, I have instructed that anyone who is to bring a resolution to the Senate floor, must have at least one student input forum session.  Lastly, this blog is just one more way we are connecting with students besides our day-to-day conversations.  I would say that if you, Anonymous, or any one else, has an issue, then they should join SGA themselves!  Be the change you want to see in the world, right?

 To finalize this post, I would like to comment on the stellar performance of everyone involved in SGA this year.  We have gotten so many amazing things accomplished and I’m proud of the sacrafice everyone has made to make this such an incredible organization.    I cannot wait for all the good that will come out of this semester!

Awesome news!  SUFAC has approved part of my request for new periodicals on campus.  After negotiating a free trial of New York Times papers last semester, I made sure to gather data such as how many papers were left over at the end of each day, if instructors would be able to use the paper in class, what periodicals student’s want, and other specific data.  After making my claim to the SUFAC board, they rewarded the students with two out of my four requests.  Beginning the first week of February we will be getting 500 copies of NTY a week and 100 copies of Newsweek for everyone to enjoy.

 It is important to keep up on world news and expand your mind!  Enjoy everyone!

Morning everyone!  I’m here to post the good news about Conservation Lobby Day!

Everything is set to go for Wednesday, January 30, 2008!  Environmental Affairs Secretary Crystal Osman has been working very hard to organize the 14 of us going!  We will be citizen lobbyists to a day!  I am pumped to tell our legislators to improve our Wisconsin environment by keeping our Great Lakes water here and passing the Safe Climate Act, as well as restoring conservation integrity.  UWGB SGA should feel very proud to be fighting for these noble causes, not to mention Dave Hansen loves to see his own alma mater down in Madison!  For all of you going, please check your email for times and such, but we will be leaving early Wednesday morning and arriving back at school in the evening.  Be prepared for a fast paced day of Congressional action!  See you all there!  Contact myself or Crystal with any questions

Welcome to the new Spring 2008 semester! I hope everyone had great first days! I’m excited to get things rolling in SGA! We will be having our first Executive meeting on Monday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. in the 1965 Room in the Union. We will be brainstorming and building off of our awesome last semester! We are looking forward to having our first Senate meeting as well.

I would like to welcome Ben Kotenberg to our team as Press Secretary! Jason graduated in December and Ben is going to be a very valuable replacement. Also, Steven Schultz has taken over as Academic Affairs Secretary and we are excited to have him as a member of our team. Lastly, Chief Justice Emily Krambs graduated in December, so look for some new appointments to the Student Court!

Finally, I would like to tell everyone to stay tuned to the 4E for articles on SGA! They have kindly given us our own reporter to communicate our accomplishments and ongoing activities with! Hopefully, you will be seeing SGA in the paper even more than last semester! I know.. it hardly seems possible!

Have a great second day everyone! And remember to rope your friends into joining SGA!