When Shannon Bates ran for Student Government office last spring, part of her campaign was the promise to be a proactive force for improving communication between student organizations and SG.But during her first semester as SG vice president, Bates fell short of her goal when she was only able to speak to about 20 of the University’s 250 student organizations. Attributing the failure to miscommunication with the newly-seated organization leaders, Bates has reorganized this semester to resolve those past difficulties.Bates is joining forces with the SG Senate to organize a new outreach program designed to make SG officials more visible and accessible to University students.Orgs2Geaux was developed early this year after difficulties reaching the active leaders of student organizations kept SG from fully interacting with the University’s various student groups last semester.”By creating Orgs2Geaux, I’m hoping to lay a lasting foundation that facilitates communication for students to SG,” Bates said.Though Bates sent out an e-mail to foster communication with the leaders of student organizations last year, she said it was sent out too early in the semester to be effective. SG officials said the new program should substantially increase direct communication between those organizations and the senators who represent them.”What I learned from last semester is that this semester is going to be key,” Bates said.The first step toward their goal will be taken today when a new e-mail will be sent to an updated list of student organization presidents.After meetings are scheduled, the senators corresponding to each of the University colleges and organizations will be dispatched to meet with those students.”I feel like we need to go to students and that they shouldn’t only have to come to us,” said Amanda Gammon, SG Government Relations Committee chair and co-founder of the Orgs2Geaux program.Senators from the University College Center for Freshman Year will be responsible for organizations not affiliated with any college.”Senators will become more visible to the students they represent,” Gammon said. “It helps to get our names out there so we’re not just an e-mail address on a Web site.”During these meetings, SG senators will speak to their respective organizations about the program’s goals. Afterward, they will listen to student concerns, both as individuals and as parts of larger organizations.The increased visibility and access to senators may provide student organizations with a more direct way to deal with issues such as funding for special events and equipment. “Student organizations sort of get the run-around from a lot of campus administration,” said Rob Dowie, Tiger Band drum major and president of Kappa Kappa Psi, Beta Gamma chapter. “When SG gets involved, it almost forces the administration and the staff to cooperate.”—-Contact Adam Duvernay at [email protected]