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
