Page 10 How Does by Cindi Greenawalt The function of the Student Government Association (SGA) is to deal effectively with student affairs, protect and promote the welfare of the students, and direct the activities of student organization. A result of this function is the open forum between students and faculty to air grievances and find solutions to problems. A problem SGA is looking into is the abuse of holding open the elevator doors for long periods during the day. This makes it difficult for handicapped, ill, and injured students to reach their classes on time. SGA received a suggestion to put a change machine in the CUB. The use of the vending machines could be increased if students could get change. Another suggestion entertained was an SGA sponsored after graduation celebration. Several ideas were presented, and SGA is looking into the possibilities. These are a few examples of issues addressed by SGA. Students should feel welcome to present any issues of concern or interest to SGA. There are always two seats available for students to participate during meetings, held every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in Olmsted W 137. SGA helps finance social clubs on campus. If students want to start a sewing club, for example, they must submit a charter to SGA. A charter outlines the club's function and purpose, to whom the club is open, a projected budget and request for funds, and fund SGA Help raising activities the club will hold to help finance itself. SGA is generally appropriated $50,000 from University Park. This year, however, it received only $39,000 so far. A second installment is expected, but it is not known when. An additional $5OOO accumulates from vending machines and parking tickets. These funds are distributed on approval by SGA to the social clubs on campus who submit a budget. The Capital Times asked SGA members why SGA is important to the students. Some of the responses are listed. Luke Hess, Senior Senator-at-Large: SGA provides opportunity to acquire leadership skills, develop a working relationship with other student leaders, and influence the quality of student life. Mike McClure, Senior Senator- Humanities: SGA is the governing center of social activity on campus. It sets up a constitution that student associations and organizations follow; allocates funds necessary for clubs to function; works as a checks and balance on rules and regulations; and gives the student body a voice in how the college is run. Without it, there would be no organization, no way to disperse funds, no efficiency, and no information getting out to the parties that need it. John D'Ambrosia, Senior Senator-at- Large: SGA is important because it is a way for the students to voice their opinions. It is a way to bring about a change. This change can make our Peace Sign monument, which now stands near Engineering Lab, was built by students and erected behind Olmsted Building in the early 1970's as a plea for peace. Capital Times • A page from history Students? campus a better community. Darvin Geyer, Senior Senator- Behavioral Science: SGA is the channel through which students can have their say in the goings on of the campus. Maria Rusynyk, Junior Senator-at - Large: SGA is essential to the functioning of all student clubs and organizations at Capital. It also allows the students to voice their opinions and concerns. SGA is the intermediary between the students and faculty. Jodie Kelley, Junior Senator- Public Affairs: SGA provides the students a place to air their grievances and a means to make changes. John Nagengast, Junior Senator- Business: If someone has a problem, they have someone to come to about it. SGA helps to keep the school miring smoothly. Brenda Marchegiani, Junior Senator- Humanties: SGA represents the student body. It works to help improve communication between the students, faculty, and community as a whole. Gene Albano, Senior Senator-at- Large: SGA is the vehicle by which students are collectively represented on campus. There is strength in numbers when opinions are voiced and changes for improvement are necessary. To effect change, let your voice In heard through the SGA. PARDON ME, BUT YOU'RE STEPPING ON MY BRAIN By Brian Smith I hate to think about how this prestigious university is stepping on my brain, but it is, and I see no way of getting out from underfoot. Consider for a moment, if you will, the dilemma which I, and other students, face. We attend school in search of knowledge, in the hope that one day we may put said knowledge to use in a significant career. Granted, the attain ment and retention of knowledge must be examined by our instructors. The instructors' examinations are graded and given a corresponding letter/numerical value. Potential employers review the cumulative letter/numerical values placed upon the examinations. If our letter/nu merical values are less than those of our peers, we are potentially prevented from gaining employment. So here's the dilemma: The search for knowledge becomes the search for letter/numerical values. Considering the subjectivity of instructors' exami nations, there may be very little re lationship between actual knowledge and the corresponding letter/numerical values placed upon such knowledge. Should we sign up for classes where we can gain the most knowledge, or classes where we will receive the highest letter/numerical value? Pardon me, but you're stepping on my brain. ' ••"• •• • •y r • • ;.*•-••• • E2== Oct. 18, 1987
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers