Page 3 Eve The Lion’s Eye April 13, 2010 on Campus “SGA Officials Answer the Question, ‘Do Students Care about SGA?” By Nancy Perone - Lions Eye World & Local Editor - nipS014@psu.edu You may have seen some of them in your classes, or you might even be friends with - one (a Penn State Brandywine Student Govern- ment Association officer, that is). Elections begin today, Tuesday April 13, and will con- tinue through Thursday, April 15. All students are able to vote online at https://elections.psu. edu/de. Currently, the Pride Party, the Melting Pot Party, and the 2013 Party are campaigning in full force by way of posters all over campus, but have we as a campus ever really given SGA a thought before now? Graduating senior and Corporate Com- munications major Rebecca Olley thinks that it’s all subjective. “I think, honestly, the student body... for the most part does not focus towards the student government. People who are more involved know what student government is, and know the issues they want and tend to focus to.” SGA 2009-2010 Secretary John Bevi- lacqua gives his opinion on the lackadaisical students on campus and what student govern- ment means to him, declaring, “SGA 1s, in my opinion, the pinnacle of developmental suc- cesses for campus activities. The Penn State Brandywine Student Government Association should be taken seriously by the student body. The individuals of SGA devote their time and tireless efforts to satisfy the student community to the best of their ability. ‘As Secretary, I want my fellow students to ap- proach me with complaints and requests. The more that students participate in being con- cerned with their on-campus leisure, the bet- ter experience they will have. SGA wants to make a difference, so the students have to make a difference by speaking out. I believe that Brandywine does not recognize the significance of SGA.” John feels that students should be just as involved with their campus as the SGA officers, if not more so, so that more things can happen for them. The SGA Secretary continues dish- ing on his experience in office and his call to action for the student body, saying, “the 2009- 10 SGA’s primary goal is to get the students more involved on campus.” It is his belief that an intimate relationship with the campus will enhance a student’s time here. “Holding the SGA Secretary position has enriched my experi- ence as a Brandywine student. By being heav- ily associated with the campus, it has given me terrific opportunities as well as made me love Brandywine even more. | want the students of Brandywine to make our beautiful campus their hangout spot. Unfortunately, SGA’s ultimate issue was strategizing ways for students to stay on campus more. The excuse [decrying this] issue was that Penn State Brandywine is a com- muter campus. I believe this can be navigated around. I strongly feel that plenty of pride from the students can cure this Brandywine flu.” Current SGA President, Brittney Walker, notes the change that she has seen on campus with student interest and has a positive out- look on the student government’s future. “I don’t think ‘care’ is the correct word to use. Of course Brandywine cares about the Stu- dent Government Association! If the students, staff, and faculty did not care then the Blue and White Ball, our monthly SGA Sound Offs, and Cing wouldn’t have been a success. Though the campus community has shown a bit more interest in the organization than in previous years, which I am grateful for, I think that there could be more involvement in the organiza- tion.” Throwing a little perspective on the matter, Walker continues, “Lack of involvement isn’t just an issue with SGA. It’s an issue with all the other clubs/organizations on campus as well.” With her career as President coming to a close, Brittney comments on her feelings to- wards the association. “Do I care about SGA? Of course I do! I put 200% into everything I do. for this organization! I didn’t want to become our SGA President for the title. I did this because I love the organization. I love the fact that I can advocate on behalf of my fellow peers and represent my campus when we have our monthly Council of Commonwealth Student Governments meetings at University Park.” Brittney’s enthusiasm for SGA is some- thing that she wants the rest of Penn State Bran- dywine to have. “Should you care about SGA? Yes! SGA does more than hold monthly meet- ings to get student feedback. We do more than put on events. As I said before, we advocate for the student body. We’re the students’ voice! We meet with staff and faculty to discuss things we think are important, to enhance the students’ experience here at Brandywine.” Director of Student Affairs, Matthew R. Shupp weighs in on the campus perspective on SGA and its influence. “I hope they find it important! | think if they knew better about how SGA serves them, the better they will appreciate it.” Dr. Shupp plays a major role in the orga- nization as the advisor to the Student Govern- ment Association. “That responsibility falls on me and the other officials,” says Dr. Shupp in reference to whose responsibility it is to help encourage the Penn State Brandywine students to care more about their student government,” although he admits that “the Sound Offs were a brilliant move on their part.” The SGA advisor also expressed how he personally pushes him- self to do better and hopes that the significance of the organization is conveyed to the student officials. Shupp says that he will continually give better training in August and throughout the year to the student leaders. He hopes to keep taking them off campus for retreats as a supple- ment to their on-campus training. The profound efforts put forth by the current officers and the interest generated by our campus’ prospective SGA officers will hopefully influence Brandy- wine to care more about its student government in the future. Game On! IST Club’s LAN Party 1s Saturday, April 17 By Christina Felizzi - Editor in Chief - clf5050@psu.edu How does an Shite day of video-gaming fun with food, friends, and free USB drives and prizes sound? It’s all at Penn State Brandywine’s LAN party, sponsored by the IST Club, which be held on Saturday, April 17 in Tomezsko 203 from 10 AM until 11:30 PM. By paying only a $10 entry fee, a student will have access to a wide ar- ray of video games such as Counter Strike, TrackMania, Stronghold, Armagetron Quake, Tribes, and much more. Tournaments for console fighting games like Street Fighter and Soul Calibur will be held on PS3 and Xbox 360. You can also bring your own games and gaming systems like Rock Band or Wii Sports, and bring your own laptop to connect to the wireless network for a 50-to-80 person gaming experience. For the first 50 attendees, 2 GB USB drives will be provided, along with free pizza, soda, and snacks. Even if you’re new to video games and PC games, the IST Club President Evan Romano encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the gaming experience. “As an American Studies major myself, I found that you can enjoy all the fun and excitement of the LAN party without having to be an IST major,” says Romano. “Just bring your computer and tell your friends to, also, and you’ll quickly see what makes me come back every time.”
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