Georgia Institute of Technology Student Government Association Bi-Weekly Briefing & Semester Review December 6, 2012
Student Government Association 350 Ferst Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30318 404.894.2814
Overall SGA Announcem ents
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Congratulations to SGA’s Secretary, Georgia Braxton, on her 25 years of service at Tech! Having trouble with the wireless Internet on campus? Please quickly go to this link and report your issue so that OIT can continue to work on making our network even better: http://lawn.gatech.edu/debug/
Upcom ing Events
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Commencement – December 15 Winter Break – December 18 – January 6 GT Day at the Capitol – January 30 Woodruff Arts Night – February 7 SGA Week – February 25-March 1 I <3 GT Week – April 8-12
Semester Review See what SGA has accomplished this semester and what to expect next semester!
Campus Safety Walk • •
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The goal of the walk was to highlight safety risks on campus to administrators who can implement solutions to those risks. A map of areas where students felt unsafe on campus was influential in shaping the course of this year's walk. Other factors that went into consideration were a campus crime heat map using crime data from GTPD and Planning and Capital Development. There were a few places that we strongly felt need to be improved this semester, including the area around the entrance to campus at Means Street and Tech Parkway, lighting in front of the MRDC and around the IC lawn, and the Alumni Association HAWK signal (traffic light/crossing signal) that goes across North Ave.
Commencement Policy & Graduation Experience •
After meeting with a committee of students, President Mordel and Vice-President Khanduri have submitted a letter to President Peterson requesting that improvements be made to the graduation experience including the new commencement ticketing policy, the final exam schedule and celebratory events.
Cultural and Diversity Affairs Committee • •
MLK Week, including the Student Diversity Symposium will be the week of January 21, 2013 Interested in joining the Cultural and Diversity Affairs Committee? This committee aims to foster a more diverse campus by utilizing the different cultural groups on campus. To learn more, visit www.sga.gatech.edu or contact Siddarth Sreeram (sid.sreeram@gmail.com)
Parking and Transportation Committee • •
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The Parking and Transportation Committee has worked throughout the semester to advocate student concern regarding the Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) offered at Tech. Over the semester, the committee established a relationship with the Library Advisory Board and is currently working to finalize prototypes of NextBus route information for the Transit Hub Stinger stop and Midnight Rambler to be projected on the LCD screens in the Library/CULC. Additionally, we are currently conducting a survey to identify specific student concern and displeasure with the current parking priority system. The committee is also working to develop the Gotcha car program, specifically in recruiting potential student drivers. Throughout the semester, they have advocated for students in specific situations to administration directly. Some goals for next semester include finalizing the projection of the NextBus display, analyzing the parking priority survey results and developing revised system for priority if deemed necessary by the survey results, and working to improve the Student Appeals process.
Undergraduate House of Representatives
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UHR had 4 successful themed nights: Bows & Bowties, Pink Night, White and Gold for Homecoming and Halloween UHR members went to Yoforia and Chick-fil-A The 1st Annual UHR Tech Rec Social is planned for early Spring 2013
Student Lobby Board
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The Wreck the Vote campaign registered over 200 Georgia Tech students, and distributed over 100 absentee ballots ahead of the October 9th voter registration deadline Wreck the Vote also hosted debate watch parties for all four nationally televised debates in October, including the kickoff event that attracted over 350 students outside the Campanile and two state legislator guest speakers: Senator Jason Carter and Representative Buzz Brockway A task force of UHR members and Executive branch members compiled questions for a HOPE Scholarship survey that was distributed to the entire undergraduate student body. Results from the survey were used by President Mordel in his presentation to the SAC and were passed in the form of a Resolution by UHR
Sustainability Committee
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The Sustainability Forum was very successful, with over 80 attendees and positive & constructive feedback, which will be used to plan a similar event next semester. There was an October Sustainability Committee newsletter and there will be a November/December edition shortly, both of which have highlighted environmental student groups on campus as well as sustainability-oriented research or initiatives by administrators, faculty and facilities. Next semester the committee will continue these projects and will potentially take on a couple more. While we volunteered once at game day recycling, we are looking to add more of a service component by participating in any type of sustainability-related philanthropy we can. Looking forward to another great semester!
1 st Annual SGA Holiday Party
Student Government is here to serve you, so ple ase let us know how we can help! v e t t VANDIVER vkvandiver@gatech.edu VP of Communications Undergraduate Student Government Association