KATHRYN BOWERS

SGA requests opinions of all

By:

Posted: 8/27/07

Creating change in a community of 34,959 students is no easy task, but it is the job of the Student Government Association to work every day towards the ideal university setting here in Athens.

This past semester, SGA successfully advocated on behalf of students to achieve many significant improvements in campus life.

Sometimes we, myself in particular, get so excited a change is occurring that we forget to tell everyone what role we played in the initiative.

Here are things the Student Government Association successfully advocated for last year.

As you may have noticed, beginning this fall, the University no longer will utilize Social Security numbers in the classroom due to the security risks that distribution of this sensitive information posed to students.

The Collegiate Readership Program, first implemented last fall, continues to provide national and local newspapers to all University students on a daily basis.

In order to place student safety above punitive measures in all aspects of University life, the Responsible Action Policy was implemented in May to ensure students seek medical attention for their peers without hesitation.

We have advocated successfully for increased wireless access in classrooms - which can be utilized to learn about the distribution of grades in University courses by viewing the Key, which has been compiled by SGA and posted on our Web site.

In a few weeks, the University will launch Ruckus, a legal media downloading program that will be accessible to all University students, free of charge.

We also have launched a Web site ourselves called GeorgiaStudentOpinion.com to connect all of the colleges and universities in the state.

When issues regarding HOPE scholarship, tuition and textbook prices are raised during future legislative sessions, we will be able to respond quickly in a unified manner.

With those tasks off our list, SGA still has a busy fall ahead of us. Issues on our agenda include:

• Opening the Student Learning Center 24 hours a day - which polls show is overwhelmingly supported by students - around 80 percent for those of you who like numbers.

• Providing art classes for non-majors so all students have an opportunity to get a well-rounded education at the University.

• Improving the advising process at orientation so freshmen will have the best possible start to their academic careers.

• Posting the faculty evaluations each student completes at the end of a course online.

• Drafting and passing the Commitment to Academic Excellence - an agreement between students and faculty ensuring respect in the classroom is a two-way street.

• Creating an interactive calendar for all student organizations, thereby making it easier to get plugged in on campus.

• Expanding the on-campus venues that accept Bulldog Bucks (especially Sanford Stadium and Parking Services) and many other projects that will benefit the academic, social and cultural welfare of students here at the University.

Please let us know what you think of these initiatives, what your issues are and anything on this campus that could be tweaked in order to make your stay in Athens the best time of your life.

We can't cancel classes on Friday or change the drinking age to 18, but please let us know if you ever need anything else.

To learn more about the issues above and others, please visit www.uga.edu/sga or join us on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in SLC room 101.

Feel free to contact Student Government Association anytime, through e-mail at www.ugasga@uga.edu or me personally at KABowers@uga.edu or by swinging by our office in Tate 169.

Remember, we're here working for you. Make sure to let us know how you think we are doing.

- Kathryn Bowers is the president of SGA.