Midterm Update

Concord students:

Our year is gradually progressing, and soon, my term as the President of the Student Government Association will be over. I find it hard to believe that the Election Committee is already beginning preparations for the next SGA election, but I am also glad in that soon, I will begin a new phase in my life by going to graduate school with the intent of going for a doctorate in English. I write this blog to inform you of recent developments in the Student Government Association, and I hope to take comments/criticisms about what issues currently concern students so that I can take those issues to a higher authority.

Here are some brief issues that I want to address:

1. The Student Government is progressing and is largely moving very smoothly. The CU Administration and I frequently have talks about student life, and I am largely pleased that the SGA and the administration are on good terms again. I am, however, largely displeased with the inefficiency of our committees and some of our Executive officers. Two or three people cannot carry all the weight of our entire government. After last week's "closed session", in which the whip was cracked, I hope to see better results over the coming months.

2. Tuition should not be a major concern for most students this year. The governor of West Virginia has requested all institutions of Higher Education in the state to adopt a 0% tuition increase. If tuition is raised at all (the University needs to keep the lights on and pay our faculty, after all), it will be a minimalistic raise. I sit on a committee dedicated to this year's tuition raises with BOG Representative Curtis Kearns, and hopefully we will have good news for you soon.

3. The library initiative that the SGA adopted earlier in the semester based on high demand is not being used. Considering that the SGA took great expense to earn this, please use the library after 10 PM, or else we will lose it. The library grant money that has been bonded is awaiting approval from the State, and if that passes, I will be working with Dr. Rowe on how hope to use the $6 million in there.

4. The Vice President received votes from the entire student body that advocates for a smaller Spring Fling as well as a good donation to the Haiti relief efforts. Pending approval of the Budgetary Committee and then the Student Senate, this should be the reality that occurs.

5. The Student Government gives its blessing to the new philosophy advocated by Dr. Aloia in being more lenient with inclement weather and school cancellations when necessary. Although we are all here to receive an education, it certainly is not worth anyone's life to struggle to get here.

6. As your President, I currently sit on the hiring committees to find the new Director of Advancement after Coach Quick took a job in Toronto. In the grand scheme of things, Advancement is a critical job that requires a suave, money-making person who will build the Foundation to give scholarships as well as gain the University money in other ways than tuition gains. I cannot overstate the importance of Financial Aid Director; we definitely need one who is both knowledgeable and one who is an advocate for students. BOG Rep Kearns is serving on the hiring committee to find the new Academic Dean, and I can only hope that they find the best person for the job from outside this University.

7. The SGA lobbied for money last Friday in Charleston during Higher Education today. Although most of our legislators are WVU and Marshall fanboys, we hope that we gained their attention as one of the leading institutions of West Virginia.

8. Internal reform continues to happen. Senator Travis McReynolds took over for me as Ethics Chair, and he looks to submit a Code of SGA Ethics to the Student Senate by the end of the year. One cannot forget the problems that SGA has had with Ethics in the past, so the importance of his work cannot be overstated. I decided to chair the Judicial Reform Committee again, and in the waning months, we look to improve University Hearing Board procedures, gain more effective sanctions, and improve the balance of powers in our government.

9. The SGA is now on Facebook, and we look to improve our Twitter coverage as well. Check it out. We hope to make these blogs a part of both of them to improve transparency in our government. Kudos to Publications Chair Senator McCoy for taking the initiative to do this for us.


Please use the opportunity to discuss with me on this blog what you expect the SGA to do, and the direction that you would like to see SGA go in. We are your advocates, but we cannot advocate without knowing your concerns.

Sincerely,

President Yeager