Several universities around the country have made the step toward instituting campus-wide smoke-free bans, including the University of Florida. This would mean smoking would be prohibited on all areas of campus.
The UGA smoking restrictions are currently in place throughout campus, however, each campus building authorizes their own smoking policies. While these rules have been in place for some time, many say they are not well known or well enforced.
SGA wants to know if you are interested in the idea of a smoke-free campus. Let us know your thoughts and opinions and we'll hear you out. The administration is counting on all of us fo rsome good feedback, so let us know how we can all make this campus more user-friendly for you.
Take the poll! Leave a comment!
Submitted by: Suzanne Meller, General Assembly Secretary
Alright, so we know you're not excited about this-- neither are we-- but a new fee has passed. What does that mean? Student fees for schools under the University System of Georgia (USG) student fees will increase. For UGA students, that means tacking $100 on top of the $100 special fee we currently pay. Total cost of the special fee: $200.00.
Now that you have the gist of it, hear us out; there's a little more to this than the Board of Regents (BOR) saying "Hey! Let's cut the budget and ask students to supplement more of our depleting funds from their own pockets."
Today, the BOR met in Atlanta to approve plans to alter the System's budget from a 6 percent reduction ($135 million) to 8 percent ($176 million), effective this fiscal year, FY2010. In order to supplement the loss of these fees, BOR is asking students to pay for it through student fees. Here's the breakdown for the new budget reduction and student fee increase: $100 increase at research universities and six other universities, $75 at most comprehensive universities and $50 at two-year state colleges. The total cost of student fees, $200/$150/$100 at USG schools respectively.
Times are tough, we know. We feel it at home. We feel it here. We feel it every time we fill up our gas tank, pay an extra penny for printing or pass up our favorite cereal brand for the generic store brand instead. Well, the State's feeling it too. USG is currently trying to actualize $12 million in savings, while generating the $24 million from student fees in FY2010 alone. In order to realize this $12 million in savings, the state will have to reach to additional employee furlough days, eliminating positions, employee layoffs, or other types of program an structural changes. Those structural changes could result in fewer course sections, larger classes and major health insurance changes to university students and employees.
The BOR has deliberated over this fee increase and has decided that it would help preserve academic quality while having the least possible negative effect on students, says Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs, Usha Ramachandran.
While the fee feels hefty on students, the overall reductions for FY2010 should spread the impact evenly among faculty and staff, campus operations and students in a balanced manner. Ramachandran noted, "approximately 86 percent, or $152 million of reductions are being borne by our institutions and employees" she said. "The student share of the cuts with the additional fee is 14 percent, or $24 million."
In addition to approving the new student fee, the BOR also approved a moratorium on student fee increases for FY 2011 and a sunset date of June 30, 2010 for the total mandatory student fee. Read the AJC article detailing the new student fee here. We, your Student Government Association, are working hard to find a resolution to the institution of these mandated fees. Please check back to read on the progress of our resolution debate at tonight's Senate.
"The Nuçi's Space Student Organization provides a link between the students of the University of Georgia and the non-profit musician's support/resource center Nuçi's Space. The group organizes and participates in mental health advocacy, as well as raising awareness about Nuçi's Space and its resource services. "
NSSO will be sponsoring a show on Friday, Nov. 13, featuring Rye, The Premonitions and Dr. Squid.
Time: Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Ages: All ages welcome! $5 entrance fee Where: Nuci's Space 396 Oconee St. Athens, GA 30601
Come out and support NSSO and enjoy a great show. For more information on Nuci's Space, please visit http://www.nuci.org/.
"To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.To Write Love On Her Arms Day is a day where anyone can write the words love on their arms, to support those who are fighting against depression and those who are trying to recovering."
Invisible Children United Nov. 10- UGA's Got Talent, 8-10pm at Tate Theater Benefit Concert at Two Story Coffee Here are some additional events for Invisible Children that we would love for you to forward to the website:
Freedom Week: Nov. 9 - Nov. 12
Monday, Nov. 9- YourPie Percentage Night in Five Points, 5-10pm Tuesday, Nov. 10- UGA's Got Talent! 8-10pm at Tate Theater. There will be prizes, campus celebrity judges and an amazing showcase of UGA talent! Wednesday, Nov. 11- "At the End of Slavery" screening, MLC 171 6:30 pm Thursday, Nov. 12- Foreign Aid and Reform Panel, MLC 150 7:00pm
Not only will our football team compete for year-long bragging rights, but this year we will also compete for a traveling trophy that will go to the winner of our infamous rivalry. Cut from a 1000-year-old cypress tree from the Okefenokee Swamp, the trophy is carved in the shape of an oar, and is suitably named the Okefenokee Oar.
The trophy will be exchanged each year to the winning team of the Georgia/Florida football game, held in late October. This is the only rival trophy both schools will compete for annually, putting higher stakes on the field when the Gators and Bulldogs meet in Jacksonville, Fla. The Oar is sure to bring added esteem to the pride and passion of this heavy SEC rivalry.
The trophy is paid for in part by both UF and UGA student governments as well as an anonymous donor.
Attention Students! Do you have a professor at UGA that has done an amazing job or has had a positive impact on your experience here at UGA? If so, here is your opportunity to honor him or her.
The Academic Affairs Committee of the Student Government Association is accepting nominations for the Professor Recognition Award. You, as a student at the University of Georgia, have the opportunity to nominate an outstanding professor whom you feel is worthy of this prestigious award. If the professor you have nominated becomes one of the finalists, you and your professor will be invited to attend the Professor Recognition Banquet in February, which is hosted by the Student Government Association. Awards will be presented to the selected Professors. All forms are due by Friday, November 13th to the Student Activities and Organizations Office at 102 Tate Student Center. Click HERE to download the application. --------------------------------------- SAVE THE DATE! The Multicultural Affairs Committee of the Student Government Association is having our annual Tailgate with a Dream on Saturday, November 14th at Reed Quad three hours before kickoff of the Georgia-Auburn game. The event is co-sponsored by the Black Affairs Council, the Hispanic Student Association, Indian Cultural Exchange, and the Filipino Student Association. This year's theme is The Puzzle: Connecting the Pieces of Our Bulldog Nation. We invite everyone to join us for great music and great food provided by Choo Choo and Raising Cane.
-- Announcements submitted by Emelia Dunston, SGA Graduate Assistant
Back in the spring when Katie Barlow, Cameron Secord and Joe Chaudoin first decided to run for the student government executive ticket they made sure to let us know what they were all about; and they were ALL about getting the student fees back in the hands of students (among other things)!
For decades, students have been paying the $89 Activity Fee, but few could actually say where the money went. Now, students will have a direct hand in how the funds are allocated.
SGA has been working around the clock with University administrators and Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Bennett, to devise a feasible plan for the proposal. The new plan involves an allocation committee of 10 student leaders across campus; five SGA senators, one graduate student and four students from Campus Life, Intercultural Affairs and Recreational Sports within the Department of Student Affairs.
The committee will be selected this semester.
At the end of the spring semester, Dr. Bennett and SGA will evaluate the success of the program and determine whether or not to keep the student allocation committee.
Our Student Affairs Liaisons are working hard to make sure we get the word out about all your club activities. If your student organization would like an announcement or concern to appear on our blog, or if you would just like to talk with us, please e-mail us at ugasgaexec@gmail.com.
Here is what's going on this weekend:
Emerging Green Builders will be hosting a Saturday Morning Yank, Saturday, Oct. 24th at 10 a.m. Students should meet at the red pavilion on the corner of Lumpkin St. and Cedar St. Tools will be provided, but please bring gloves and clippers if you have them. Refreshments will be available for all participants!
Make-A-Wish at UGA will be volunteering at the Fall Fair at Oasis Catolico, Saturday Oct. 24, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you would like to join Make-A-Wish's volunteer effort, please contact Mary Pendelton at marypend@uga.edu for more details. This is a great opportunity to help bring some fall-filled joy to the kids at Oasis Catolico!
Make-A-Wish is also holding a percentage night at all Your Pie locations in Athens on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Please come help support our Make-A-Wish chapter by enjoying some delicious food!
More Information:
Emerging Green Builders- "Emerging Green Builders are students and young professionals dedicated to becoming and recruiting the future leaders of the green building movement. EGB groups around the country offer young people the opportunity to get involved in green building locally, gain access to USGBC resources, and participate in local events. We are a member organization of the US Green Building Council."
Make-A-Wish at UGA- "is an organization that supports the mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama. We grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Make-A-Wish at UGA has a goal of raising enough money to grant at least one wish every semester."
Oasis Catolico- "University of Georgia students serve as volunteers for the Oasis after school program helping children to do their homework and organizing educational games. Over 40 children from the Pinewood Estates community participate. UGA students may earn academic credit for their services in various ways."
-- Announcements submitted by James Schulte, Student Affairs Liaison
Welcome to the official blog of the Student Government Association! After listening to your concerns we realized that we needed a more effective form of communication, direct from your elected student leaders straight to you.
This blog will cover a range of topics, all of which concern you, the student body of The University of Georgia. Clubs, academics, athletics, residence, parking, .... you name it, we've got it covered.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to comment on our posts or e-mail us at ugasgaexec@gmail.com. Please invite everyone to follow our blog. We hope that through our blog, we will be able to better communicate all that we are doing for you and learn how we can more effectively serve as your student government!
