While many students may relax after finals, return to their homes or pick up extra shifts at work for some holiday cash, Student Government members will be working over the break – nearly all of them without pay. The bar is set high for the SG executive branch. Having completed nearly all of the goals set forth on its platform during the spring 2007 election, the Executive Staff is looking to put together a new set of objectives for the coming semester. “We’re closing out the [platform] we created when we were running,” said SG Vice President Josh King. “Our staff put together a list of new stuff that we’re going to be working on over the winter break.” King said a re-evaluation of the priority points system, used to determine post-season football ticket allocation, is at the top of the list. King said there have been a lot of complaints from students – not about the points system in general, but about specific circumstances like away games. King said another focus is the creation of a new council. The council would be a primarily administrative council with student members that would concentrate on many of the University’s traditions. The council’s goal would be to evaluate the University experience and provide a “unified message about traditions.” The executive branch is also wrapping up a few proposals from earlier in the semester. The reworked campus map, already available in beta form on the University’s Web site, will be officially launched before the spring semester begins. The updated map will feature newer technology and more interactive content than the current version. Another executive initiative to be soon finalized is the Tiger Trams program, which seeks to provide motorized transportation for students from some of the outlying parking lots into the center of campus. Additionally, the new student printing quota will go into effect beginning in spring 2008. The legislative branch of SG also has plans for the break. Student Senate Speaker Colorado Robertson said the public body will begin preparing for the coming semester with a Senate retreat and meetings between Senate committee chairs and Executive Staff members to plan goals for the spring. Robertson said he also hopes to finish enacting some of this fall’s legislation, such as the initiative to post building maps within Patrick F. Taylor Hall. Robertson said he plans to work with University administration and the executive branch to iron out some inconsistencies between SG by-laws and University regulations. A few of these issues were recently brought to light after Senate legislation sparked debate between the two branches regarding the scope of certain SG financial accounts.
—-Contact Daniel McBride at [email protected]