Burnt Orange Report

UT Student Government Summer Update

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

In the extended entry is a listing of the progress of a number of Student Government project updates, and contact information if you want to get on board and help out. I'm quite impressed with the new Communications Director Stacy Torres.

And of course with her name going out to a few thousand UTexans each week or two, having her on your SG ticket next year couldn't hurt for name ID... (Sorry, it's how I think. People know me for all the GLBT e-mails I send out on campus).

3. Progress of Student Government Projects

· Technology Task Force: After meeting with ITS, Student Government is creating a Technology Task Force that will advise ITS on technology concerns throughout campus. One of this Task Force’s first initiatives will be to assess locations on campus that do not have cell phone reception and wireless access. If you would like to be a part of this task force contact SG Executive Director Dan Paschal at www.SGED@www.utexas.edu.

· Tuition Setting at College Level: SG President Omar Ochoa (SGPresident@www.utexas.edu) and Vice President Elizabeth Brummett (SGVP@www.utexas.edu) have been meeting with the Deans of the Colleges to inquire about the process that each will take with tuition setting for the following year. Ochoa and Brummett are working with each of the Deans to ensure that students within that college have input in the process.

· Emergency Services Coordinator: After a comprehensive search process LaToya Hill has accepted this new position and will begin at UT Austin during the month of August. This position was created by the Office of the Dean of Students to be available to students when issues/concerns arise. The Emergency Services Coordinator position was created this past year to better equip the Office of the Dean of Students to serve students.

· Sportsmanship Task Force: Student Government, Texas Exes, and The Texas Exes Student Chapter are all working together to create innovative ways to encourage good/positive sportsmanship at UT Athletic Events. Meetings with representatives from each of these entities are being planned to discuss ideas. A possible “Go Horns Go” campaign is being considered and any other ideas can be sent to Stephanie Weaver (SGSecretary@www.utexas.edu).

· Tuition Revenue Bonds: Student Government’s Legislative Relations Agency Director Sam Laine (laine.samuel@bba03.mccombs.utexas.edu) has been meeting and working with UT Administration and Legislators to pass House Bill 6, which would allow for Public Institutions in the State of Texas to sell Tuition Revenue Bonds. HB 6 was passed out of the House Higher Education Committee and is currently in the Senate Finance Committee awaiting approval. UT Austin alone is in need of $75 million to renovate/reconstruct its current Experimental Sciences Building and this past week LRA distributed an informational packet to all members of the Finance Committee that included pictures of some of the worst parts of the building.

· University Sendoffs: Texas Exes Chapters in Houston and San Antonio will host Sendoffs for the incoming freshmen in their areas this week. Houston’s Sendoff will be on Monday, July 18, 2005 and San Antonio’s on Tuesday, July 19, 2005. Expected in attendance, to welcome the new students, is UT Austin President Dr. Larry Faulkner, SG President Omar Ochoa, representatives from DHFS and Financial Aid, and representatives from Texas Exes.

· Safety Week: Student Government’s Safety Agency Directors have already begun planning Safety Week for 2006. Elliott Reep (utman2003@aol.com) has met with UTPD to develop an entertaining and informative week. Safety Week 2006 will be February 13-17, 2005 with possibilities including demonstrations regarding a Canine Unit, a CSI Crime Scene, multiple transportation safety issues, a drunken driving scene, and a burn house scenario. Planning is in its preliminary stages and student input is encouraged and appreciated.

· Cell Phone Reception: Student Government and ITS have been working together to bring 100% cell phone reception to all outdoor areas of UT’s Main Campus. UT is currently in discussions with cell phone companies to build more towers on campus. President Ochoa (SGPresident@www.utexas.edu) and other members of Student Government will continue working on this project.

· Wireless Coverage: Members of Student Government have been working for the past several months with ITS to expand wireless access to all areas of campus. ITS has doubled the number of wireless ports on campus since a year ago and has recently purchased the necessary equipment to continue installing access ports. SG is creating a Technology Task Force that will compile a list of locations with little or no wireless access as one of it 1st charges. If you know of any particularly bad locations or would like to help with the issue, please email Chris Kennedy at chrisken@mail.utexas.edu.

· SG Football Ticket Group: Student Government is extending an invitation to be part of its Season Ticket Football Group to any student that would like to sit with members of SG during home football games. The SG group will sit in the Flashcard Section of the Stadium and all members are required to be present during half time. If you would like to be part of this group please contact Stephanie Weaver at SGSecretary@www.utexas.edu. The last day to purchase priority season tickets is Monday, July 18, 2005.

· Discount Program: Student Government is currently reviewing submitted proposals for a University wide Student Discount Program. External Financial Director, Clayton Stewart (cstewart@mail.utexas.edu) will be meeting with Student Affairs Administrators to formally accept a proposal and begin working with the vendor.

· Summer Appropriations: For the 1st time ever, Student Government appropriated monies during a formalized summer appropriation process to petitioning Student Organizations. Over $2000 was given out, which is an increase from the $1492 that was appropriated last summer. The start of the school year is a large transitional phase for many 1st year and returning students and appropriations are one of Student Government’s way to support events that assist in the transition. For information about Fall 2005 Appropriations please contact SG’s Internal Financial Director Henna Tayyeb at SGFinances@www.utexas.edu.

· UT Police Chief Search: The application process for a new Chief of Police for UTPD has been closed and the search committee will now begin reviewing applications of those that applied. Although details cannot be discussed SG President and Search Committee Member, Omar Ochoa welcomes any and all input that students believe should be taken into account when hiring this new Chief of Police.

· Vietnamese Classes Campaign: The Vietnamese Classes Campaign Student Group, Nicole Trinh (Nicole_trinh04@yahoo.com) and other members of Student Government have continued work in creating a South East Asian Studies Center and acquiring placement/credit test as well as classes for Vietnamese as a foreign language. Members of both organizations will continue meeting to prepare for a meeting with the Provost and draft an SG Resolution in support of the effort.

· Trash to Treasure: Student Government’s Campus Environmental Center is currently meeting to work through the logistics of the 2nd part of this year’s Trash to Treasure. At the end of the spring semester CEC collected unprecedented amounts of objects that they will arrange and sell at a reduced price for an On Campus Garage Sale August 27-28, 2005 at Rec Sports located at 21st and San Jacinto. The Sale will be open to the public and give all students a chance to save some money by purchasing things have been used but are still in good shape. CEC Director Trevor Lovelll (trevorl@mail.utexas.edu) can answer any questions about Trash to Treasure.

· Keep UT Hate Free: To promote the upcoming University Hate Crimes Pamphlet, SG Representative Danielle Rugoff (rugoffdr@mail.utexas.edu) is working with the Multicultural Information Center and other student organizations to host a “Keep UT Hate Free” Rally at the beginning of the fall semester. Preliminary ideas include a daytime West Mall Rally for the promotion of the new pamphlets and a night time on campus vigil/speak out.

· Housing Guide: Student Government and Texas Student Publications have begun working together to produce an On/Off Campus Housing Guide for Students at The University of Texas at Austin. Though, it’s only in its preliminary stages, the new guide is expected to be available by February 2006 and will include a current website and rating and amenities of possible student housing. The guide will be at no cost to UT students and will be issued yearly by the partnership. For details about the book, please contact Dan Paschal (SGED@www.utexas.edu).

· Cab Cash: SG Representative Christine King (christineking@mail.utexas.edu) and Vice President Brummett (SGVP@www.utexas.edu), and UT Administration are moving forward with this initiative by researching possible vendors and inquiring about existing policies. The feasibility of adding Cab Cash to students’ current UT ID is just one of many details being explored. Members of Student Government are preparing for this method of payment for transportation will be available during the fall semester.

· Summer Orientation: At the conclusion of Summer Orientation, Student Government spoke with over 1000 new students and helped to welcome them to UT Austin and the Longhorn Family. Members of Student Government were at The Parents’ Welcome, The Opening Session, The Orientation Fair and BBQ, The Welcome Program Dinner and Informational, and held its own SG Optional Program. As the fall semester begins members of Student Government will be incorporating all of these new students into SG.

· City Council Student Commission: SG Vice President Brummett (SGVP@www.utexas.edu) and members of SG at UT Austin met last week to discuss the timeline and feasibility of creating a City of Austin commission that hosted representatives from Concordia University, Huston Tillotson, Austin Community College, Texas State University, St. Edwards, and UT Austin. Members from each of these institutions are in the process of scheduling one large meeting to work through the logistics of such an endeavor.

· Student Discounts: SG President Ochoa (SGPresident@www.utexas.edu) met with administrators from ITS to discuss the Universities progress on acquiring student discounts from cable and DSL internet providers as well as cell phone plan providers. Student Government will continue to work with ITS to assist in this process in any way possible.

· ENS Breezeway Project: Jessica Bradley (jkbradley@mail.utexas.edu), SG Engineering Representative, is working with other Engineering students, the College of Engineering, and Engineering student organizations to design a plan that would maximize the ENS Breezeway as a community building location. Input is still greatly desired as plans are scheduled to be developed throughout the rest of the summer.

· Federal Relations for UT Austin: SG President Omar Ochoa and SG Executive Director Dan Paschal met The University of Texas at Austin’s new Federal Relations liaison, Ellyn Perrone. This new position will work in addition to UT System liaisons on various Higher Education Issues, the first being the Higher Education Act. Because she is new to UT Austin she is very interested in student input and the inclusion of students in her work.

· Campus Lighting Project: SG’s Safety Agency Director, Elliot Reep (utman2003@aol.com) has created a map of various walkways throughout campus that he, UTPD, and other members of Student Government will walk to determine if more light is necessarily in those places. If you would like to be a part of this project or would like to suggest a certain pathway please contact Elliot Reep.