When I campaigned for Student Body President,
this was my platform. I’ve had a great team of friends and leaders in Student Government this year working hard to accomplish big things, including goals from my platform, so below is an update on what we have done and what’s left to do.
We need a calendar all students can use! This calendar will be a one stop site for all student events and campus happenings.
SG has created a calendar on google for student events. You can find it here: http://go.ncsu.edu/studentcalendar. You can submit events to the calendar by going to http://go.ncsu.edu/studentcalendarsubmission
Bring 4th meal to NC State! Make late night food runs easy with a University Dining location open from 10 pm to 2 am
The Atrium is now open until 10 pm every Monday – Thursday. The 4th meal is scheduled to be implemented at some University Dining locations in 2 years.
Enhance and expand the Wolfpack Student Discount program at local businesses by actively recruiting new businesses to create discounts.
Wolfpack Student Discounts launched a new website http://students.ncsu.edu/deals. Student Government also entered a partnership with the ZspotCard. NC State students can purchase a Zspotcard for $10 (normal $40 value).
Recognize and support our students that hold leadership positions and perform community service
The Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Undergraduate Academic Programs have been merged to form the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA). We believe that this new division will better support the leadership development of NC State students. A search committee is underway for the new Vice-Chancellor and Dean of DASA, and 4 student leaders are serving on this committee.
Also, the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics & Public Service is having discussions about how to track and certify a NC State service scholars program, with transcript recognition, and Student Government supports this idea.
More places to study, “connect”, and “plug in” on campus
Study spaces have been created on the fourth floor of Harrelson Hall, the satellite student center, on the first floor of Witherspoon, and in the old Campus Activities office in Talley 3128. Plugs were added to the west wing of DH Hill Library. The terrace above the Atrium was remodeled with electrical outlets and tables and chairs were added to create a new outdoor study place.
Establish a Tradition Keeper Program that recognizes and honors students who make the most of the NC State experience by completing traditions.
The Tradition Keeper program has been established with the 2011 edition of The Brick. Students that complete 40 traditions in the book will receive a medal to wear at graduation. Read more about it here: http://students.ncsu.edu/thebrick
Honor our men’s basketball legacy by finishing the Coaches Corner with statues of Case, Sloan and Valvano. These three coaches left a huge mark on not only NC State but also ACC basketball and deserve recognition in the corner.
The Coaches Corner project has gotten off to a great start this year! SG is currently working on a video and contacting donors. It’s even an option for Senior Class Gift donations. Learn about Coaches Corner at the project website: http://coachescorner.ncsu.edu/
Sustainability Culture Change – We can change our STATE!
Secure more funding for student ideas and improve initiatives like Think Outside the Brick.
Think Outside the Brick was continued for the third year in a row! Planning is in the works to add plaques on past projects to acknowledge them as student ideas.
Promote student engagement in sustainability, help students do their part!
Student Government continues to sponsor sustainability task force meetings. Email reconle2@ncsu.edu if you are interested in attending a task force meeting.
Advance the Sustainability strategic plan – we must be an environmentally friendly campus
The Sustainability strategic plan was approved by the Board of Trustees during the Fall semester. Read about the Year of Sustainability at this link!
Make sure that loyal students get rewarded consistently. Students who go to games should have the best chance of getting tickets!
In the new ticket policy, the top 25% of loyalty point earners are automatically guaranteed a football or basketball ticket. The remaining 75% are entered into a weighted lottery. Link to the new policy.
Constantly improve the student gameday experience
Student Government is providing cheer sheets for all big games and exploring new ideas for the student section. Email ncsuathleticscommission@gmail.com if you have ideas for the student section or cheer sheets.
Tailgating is being reviewed – I will fight for LONGER tailgating hours
Student Government has been in discussions about tailgating hours. There are currently issues brought up by Athletics but we continue to advocate for students
Offer an opportunity to buy tickets for away games in a student block
Away tickets were available for football games on the student ticketing site!
Create an advising survey like ClassEval to help advisers.
The SG Academics Commission has been encouraging every college to survey students about their advising. We also sent out our own advising survey earlier this semester.
Protect reading days!
Reading days are still here.
Students that are paying tuition and fees should not be forced to pay extra just to take a Distance Education class.
It has been recommended that the “penalty fee” for distance education classes be eliminated. This is expected to go into effect in Fall 2012. Read more here!
Student Government
Increased Accessibility
Office Hours once a month by all Student Body Officers of SG in the Dining Halls
*SBO’s held office hours twice in Clark and twice in Fountain last fall.
Continue Brickyard and Centennial outreach days
*Student Government has continued to hold a weekly Wednesday Brickyard booth
Expand CALS’s Moodle program to campus wide
*Moodle pages were also created for the College of Engineering! SG is working on improving and utilizing Moodle, Google Groups, and Orgsync or other resources for communication and use by student organizations
Monthly campus wide surveys
*A survey has been included in a HOWL email once a month
Work to make university administrators more accessible.
-The Chancellor has expanded the number of Lunch with the Chancellor dates each semester and also started holding on-campus office hours. Find out when you can chat with the Chancellor at this link.
Rising costs and budget costs!
As Student Body President, I will be your advocate. I will make sure that students have representation on any committee dealing with the budget and that the voice of students are heard. I will fight to ensure that budget cuts do not extend your stay here and that your tuition is kept “as fair as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense.1” Keeping and improving the value of your degree will be one of my top priorities.
1. NC State Constitution Article IX Sec 9
It is extremely hard for any student leader to see tuition and fees increase. This has been by far the most time consuming and hardest part of my first 10 months in office. With about a 79.3 million dollar cut last year on top of cuts for the past few years, the university has but a few options left. With those some of that burden falls upon our students. Student Government representatives have fought to keep this as low as possible and make sure the State Constitutional mandate is maintained.
Student Government has stressed to university leadership the pain that even a $10 increase can have on our students. We have also discussed this issue with Chancellor Woodson and I can ensure you that he understands. Chancellor Woodson is leading the effort to grow our endowments, he is vocal advocate to the legislature, and has our current and future students at the fore front of step he takes. The university initiated a strategic plan that is realigning and strengthening this university. Student Government has followed the plan and students have been involved in every step of the process. This strategic process is a huge win for all of us. As always, Student Government values your input and would like to hear from you at anytime. Please email us at any time or find us on Facebook/Twitter. There will be a tuition talk day in the Brickyard on Feb 1 from 11:30 – 1 pm. Please come out and share your thoughts, concerns and questions!
