A large addition to the list of student fees, new programs, a pajama party and revisions to-out-of date codes are at the forefront of Allen Richey’s mind as he begins a his term as Student Government president.
While these items may not have even crossed most students’ minds this summer, Richey, SG Vice-President Jason Wesley, their executive staff, Student Senate representatives and other students involved in SG have been discussing each of these topics on a daily basis.
This large group of campus leaders have not only been discussing their new projects, but also taking action on issues that affect every student enrolled for the fall semester.
Richey said he and other members of his executive staff spent a large amount of the summer debating the newly-implemented Academic Excellence Fee with administrators and Board of Supervisors members.
The new student fee added more than $200 to each full-time student’s fall Fee Bill. Richey said SG tried to rationalize with Board members by asking them to give students an extra semester to prepare their finances for the new fee, but SG’s proposals were turned down.
Although they were not able to make any changes to the new fee, Richey and his staff were able to get a head start on fulfilling their campaign promises.
The executive staff has set up dates for the new program “Chats with the Chancellor.” This monthly forum will give students the opportunity to speak openly with the Chancellor about issues they are facing.
SG will host the first “Chat” on Sept. 9 around lunch time.
SG will also sponsor its annual bus trip in November. This year, students will have the opportunity to travel to Oxford, Miss. to cheer at the LSU vs. Ole Miss game.
SG also is working to revive the “pajama party” student tradition. The tradition calls for students to wear their pajamas to the first home football game.
SG will actually host the pajama party during the second home game on Sept. 13 against Western Illinois because it will give SG more time to promote the event, Richey said.
SG is working with the marketing and promotions division of the athletic department to produce “gameday pajamas” to sell to students, Richey said.
“The Athletic Department has teamed up with Student Government because we think by pooling our resources, we can make a bigger splash,” said Jenni Peters, Athletic Department olympic sports promotions manager.
Peters said she is working to locate purple and gold tiger-striped pajamas pants, but is having a difficult time finding a decent offer from a vendor.
The Athletic Department and SG will definitely make some type of pajamas available to students before the Western Illinois game, whether they are tiger-striped or simply labeled with the gameday logo, Peters said.
Both organizations will give students more information closer to the date of the game.
This summer, the SG staff not only spent time working on projects and issues which will affect students as the semester begins, but also long-term projects which students will see the results of in the future.
Richey said his staff has already made several plans to alter the International Expo and Celebrate Louisiana Week.
The International Expo, which is scheduled for mid-October, is a program the International Cultural Center hosts to educate the University community about different cultures around the world. Celebrate Louisisana Week, which will take place during the spring semester, is an SG-sponsored week of activities meant to educate and excite students about the state’s culture.
The SG Election Code, Bylaws and Rules of Court were the topic of many hours of discussion and debate this summer, Richey said.
Controversy surrounding campaign efforts during the Spring 2003 SG election and the Student Senate’s decision to form a committee to consider moving the SG elections to an online voting system.
A committee of executive staff members, University Court justices and Student Senate representatives are prepared to present a list of proposed alterations to each code to the Student Senate at its first meeting.
Richey said SG also will continue its efforts to promote local involvement by advocating the issues which will affect students in the upcoming state elections.
“We want to encourage students to take an active part in the elections and know what the issues are,” Richey said.
Richey has high hopes for his year in office and is confident SG will have a large and positive presence on campus this year.
“My hope is that we will be able to incorporate more people in the decision-making process,” Richey said.
Richey said he hopes that by facilitating conversations between students and administrators, implementing new programs, and improving old programs SG can strengthen the student community.