SGA sponsors Rites of Spring celebration RI I' 1 I ; I I' I; 11 I I • 1 I I ' 11 II 1 I Vj I I 11 1,1 SGA elects new members By Kelley Thomas Staff Reporter The winners of the Student Government elec tions were announced at the April 9 SGA meeting and were told that they would be sworn in April 10. The winners are as fol- • President: Frank Neives, • Vice President: Liane M Bankos, • Treasurer: Tarik Griggs • Secretary: Julie G. Prouty, SGA's actions raise questions "You are very much in a fishbowl," said SGA Faculty Advisor. By Jim Miller Contributor Questions of professional ism concerning Student Government Association members were raised at the February 27 senate meeting Senior Public Policy Senator Dan Zackus reported that 'unprofessional mated- al" was sent from the com puter in the SGA office recently, and that two stu dents have separately corn plained about a member who asked a professor for a higher grade based on belonging to the organiza tion. "This individual has done it in the past" Zackus added He informed the SGA that Donald Holtzman, student affairs director, had r..,.e,en made aware of the and was conducing an investigation. Zackus advised his fellow Senators to not abuse their power The SGA has been criti cized by student groups in recent weeks for appropriat ing money for an organiza tional dinner and for devel- oping plans to purchase per sonalized jackets. SGA Advisor Janet Widoff told the senate that their actions, while not necessarily unethical, permitted their opponents an opportunity to criticize the organization, "Over the years, some times there will be a discus sion as to what you will allc, • Committee Secretary: no • Senior Senator of Behavioral Science and Education: April Leister, • Senior Senator of Engineering: no one, • Senior Senator of Humanities: no one, • Senior Senator of Public Affairs: Crystal Woodley, • Senior Senator of School of Chola M. H Business Williams • Senior Senator at Large no one cate money for," she said. "You are very much in a fish bowl." Widoff reassured the sen ate that she did not believe that their actions were self- serving, but that it appeared on the outside as if they During the meeting, the senate continued discussion on the purchase of custom- made jackets for SGA mem- bers. A survey of prices indi- cated that the cheapest available jackets would cost $58.34 apiece, according to Junior Business Senator John Oliver, who had been responsible for pricing the jackets "With the short amount of time left in the semester, this investment is not worth the amount of outlay," said junior Humanities Senator John Porter. "My personal opinion is that you guys are looking for something to wear when you hang out over the sum mer." "The SGA serves so many hours, it would be a nice gift to give them," said Senior Humanities Senator Ali Pirinccioglu. "Seniors deserve the jack ets as a way to say 'thank you'" said Junior Public Affairs Senator Crystal Woodley. Some members com mented that they do not have the necessary money available to cover the cost All of the new officers will be sworn in at 8 a.m. except for Julie G. Prouty, who will be sworn in next Monday There are openings available for Senior Senator positions in which full and part time students can be The James A. Jordan, Jr. Memorial Awards are in and a Jordan Screening Committee was elected to coordinate this event. "The faculty takes this of purchasing a SGA jacket. 1 can't afford to pay half the cost of a jacket," said Junior Behavioral Science/Education Senator Sofie Smith. "Personally, I don't want it unless they pay for it." "I think we can find a cheaper way," said SGA sec retary Liane Bankos. The sen ate agreed that Oliver should look into the price of wind- breakers as an alternative to jackets The senate also learned that the volleyball club was $79.94 in debt due to uniform expenses. Treasurer Matt Sigel advised the senate that the problem "will work itself out," but Senator Porter seemed hesitant to show them much slack. "It sets a precedent for every other club" if the situa tion is not directly dealt with, he said, adding that the sen ate needed to pursue the matter. The senate agreed that Senator Pirinccioglu would write a letter to the volleyball club seeking reim bursement for their debt. In her vice president's report, Felicia Wallace expressed concern over the lack of turnout at meetings of the Organizational Activities Board, the group that over sees campus clubs and orga nizations. As chairperson of the group, she wondered how greater communication among club presidents could NEWS event very seriously," Janet Widoff said. An SGA member said that Dr. Margaret Rose Jaster won the most votes for the Humanities department. She turned out to be the winner. The Jordan award is given in honor of a former PSH faculty member, who was a professor in the humantities division and taught philosophy in the early 19705. He drowned while on a canoeing trip with his family in Canda. be reached "It's their responsibility to show up," said Bankos. "If they're not checking their mailboxes, they should n't be a club," responded Pirinccioglu. The Senate agreed that letters should be sent to club presidents stressing the importance of the meetings, which are designed so all organizations reach a com mon understanding on cam- pus issues President Brooks reported on his participation in a tele conference with University President Dr. Graham Spanier. He urged all stu dents to attend the Open Forum February 29, adding that it is crucial to find out how Dr. Spanier's plans for the Penn State system because "we are the cus tomers." In other business the SGA •Received a letter of com mendation from Provost and Dean John G. Bruhn congrat ulating President Brooks for the student forums conduct ed by the SGA. •Agreed to meet Thursday, February 29 from 7 p.m. to midnight to make posters for Rites of Spring and the SGA elections. •Appointed Senator Woodley as chairperson for a committee to set up more student forums throughout the semester. Student relaxes In homemade living room at Rites of Spring kick-off, Thursday, April 18. SGA members disagree on how money is spent By Mary Angelo Contributor The XGI held an Easter Toy Drive for terminally ill chil dren and the Student Government Association refused to participate. SGA president Duane Brooks said he thought it would be a good idea, 'to get our name out so people will know we're community minded." However, many dis agreed and vetoed commit tee secretary Julie Prouty's idea for each member of the SGA to donate $3 to the XGI, specifically for toys. Religious differences were the reasons cited for non-participation Ali Pirincciglu felt that since there are so many reli gions represented on the campus, it would be deemed unfair to donate only to one religion. 'lt seems ironic to me that some members of the SGA have a problem taking a collection to buy gifts for ter minally ill children," Farner said. "But they have no prob lem taking money from SGA funds to reward themselves." There was a discussion of the SGA allocating money toward the awards commit tee for themselves. The ban quet will be held on April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Dining Commons. Vice President Felicia Wallace said that the SGA needs a set amount to spend on the awards, which will most likely be a mid-sized CAPTIMES, April 23, 1996 plaque "The whole purpose of rewarding SGA members for their faithful commitment to SGA seems really self-gratify ing," said Troy Farner, junior education major. 'These will be the same political mem bers who vote for raises every year for themselves just for doing their job." A problem arose dur ing elections because of questions of whether one of the people running for elec tion was talking to a potential voter too near the voting box. According to the constitution, it would be illegal for a cam paigner to try to sway voter's decisions within 20 feet of the voting box. "If people have a problem with the SGA, it should be brought to the SGA," said Tank Griggs, junior senator at large. "Any student can sit in on the meetings and bring up any point they want to." Without addressing the issue, or further discussion on the students' concerns, Matthew Sigel, treasurer, motioned to adjourn. However, the motion was not seconded because Sen. Griggs felt there should be a discussion, as the SGA repre sents the students; thereby allowing their voices to be heard. At the end of the meeting, President Brooks thanked everyone for their hard work and dedication to the SGA, as he will be gradu ating this semester.
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