As the spring semester begins, Student Government President J Hudson and Vice President Dani Borel say they plan to accomplish or start working on all 32 of their campaign initiatives by the end of the semester.
“We want to set the bar high for the next administration,” Hudson said. “We’re trying to establish a level of excellence, whether it be completing initiatives, budget cuts, fighting for the academic core or letting students know that SG is open to work on anything that needs to be worked on.”
SG’s executive branch will continue work on initiatives labeled as “in progress,” such as building covered bus stops, correctly labeling recycle bins, changing the priority points system and fighting budget cuts.
Hudson and Borel intend to begin work on assisting in student-organization fundraising, extending wireless to the University’s Greek houses, reforming international student orientation, organizing a baseball bus trip and arranging a pep rally for graduating seniors.
“I don’t see any initiative that we will not be able to concretely establish,” Borel said. “I don’t see anything that we’ll leave office without work on.”
SG’s legislative branch, led by Senate Speaker Brooksie Bonvillain, is also working to further advance several projects, including re-zoning parking, altering the “W” policy, organizing a “Flagship Showcase” to teach high-school students how to get involved at the University and continuing a public-relations campaign to show University students the money the Athletic Department gives toward academics.
Once the state legislative session draws nearer, the SG legislative branch will send a resolution to state legislators “about concern for LSU in the legislative session,” according to Bonvillain.
SG elections will occur differently this spring. Bonvillain said the recently revised election code will “streamline financial reporting so that it’s not so gray and convoluted.”
The changes to the election code adjusted expenditure limits and outlined terms of endorsement. SG candidates will also be permitted to use trinkets as part of their campaign paraphernalia.
Four associate justice positions will be available when SG’s judicial branch holds elections this spring. Students running for the judicial branch will no longer be allowed to support, advocate or participate in any campaign, as the new rules of court specify that justices must remain impartial during elections.
Once the associate justice seats are filled, University Court Chief Justice Danielle Rushing will appoint the clerk of court, public defender, solicitor general and judicial aide positions.
SG will continue to provide free scantrons to students with a new twist. Jeffrey Wale, director of academics, ordered purple Scantrons branded with the SG logo. The Scantrons will be available the first day of the semester and were ordered for the same amount of money from Apperson Education Products, where SG bought the green Scantrons, according to Wale.
“We hope that this will promote SG visibility on campus,” Wale said.
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Contact Andrea Gallo at [email protected]
SG plans to start progress on initiatives before semester ends
January 16, 2011