THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

350 Ferst Dr NWAtlanta, GA 30318

(404) 894-2814

August 30, 2010GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Student Government AssociationCommunications Board

BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTER BYVice President of Communications, Brooke McDaniel

Fellow Yellow Jackets,

Welcome to Fall Semester! Whether this is your first semester, your last, or somewhere in-between we’re glad to see everyone on campus! Great things are happening at Tech and SGA is going to be there to ensure everything is working smoothly for everyone in the Tech community. See below for what we’ve been up to recently.

First meeting of the Undergraduate House of Representatives:

The first meeting this fall of the UHR will be held Tuesday, August 31st in room 117 of the Flag building. All meetings are held in this room each Tuesday at 7:30 PM and meetings are always open to the entire student body. We encourage you to come observe meetings, or to participate by voicing your opinion on any matter during Open Forum.

Open Positions in the House:

If you’re interested in serving on the Undergraduate House of Representatives but missed out during election season, all hope isn’t lost! Seats are open for students that have completed or are currently enrolled in at least 2 declared major classes and obtained at least sophomore standing as defined by the Registrar, at least one semester of which must have been at Georgia Tech. Seats are open in the following majors: Architecture, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Materials Science and Engineering. To be considered for these positions, please complete the application at http://www.sga.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/uhr-minutes/UHR%2010-11%20App.pdf

Three Member-at-Large positions are also available. They represent all students on campus as voting members of the house and will be voted on at the first UHR meeting on August 31st. Interested students should have completed at least 12 hours in-residence at Georgia Tech (AP credit does not count), be full time students in good standing, and attend the meeting on the 31st to announce their candidacy.

The Secretary is primarily responsible for recording the minutes of all House meetings. It is vital that a person in this position keep an extremely accurate record of all proceedings for auditing purposes. The position therefore carries a

$421 stipend. Any full-time undergraduate student in good standing is eligible to run for the position.

The Treasurer of the House is primarily responsible for keeping track of all of our transactions and for providing the House with up-to-date account totals. The Treasurer must also sit on the Joint Finance Committee, which will most likely meet on Thursdays at 5:00pm, to determine whether or not funding requests conform to our policy. This position also carries a $421 stipend. Interested students must be full-time undergraduate students in good standing.

We will also be selecting committee chairs for the following committees of the House: House Administrative Committee, Nominations Committee, and Executive Nominations.

Freshman Elections:If you're interested in being a candidate for Freshman Representative, applications are out and available at http://www.sga.gatech.edu/undergraduate/executive/get-involved/elections as well as additional information about the position. Within the application packet you'll find information about the MANDATORY election orientation sessions, of which you'll need to attend just one. Orientation Sessions will all be held in the within the conference room of the SGA Office, located in the Student Center across from Einstein’s. The schedule for all 12 sessions is as follows:

(1) Monday, August 23rd 6 PM(2) Tuesday, August 24th 11 AM(3) Tuesday, August 24th 3:30 PM(4) Wednesday, August 25th 6 PM(5) Thursday, August 26th 11 AM(6) Thursday, August 26th 3 PM(7) Monday, August 30th 6 PM(8) Tuesday, August 31st 11 AM(9) Tuesday, August 31st 3 PM(10) Wednesday, September 1st 12 PM **(11) Wednesday, September 1st 4:15 PM(12) Wednesday, September 1st 6PM

If you're unable to make one of these times due to classes, just contact Chibueze Ihenacho, Elections Chair at cj.ihenacho@gatech.edu and we'll do our best organize an alternative meeting time.

Friendship. Leadership. Experience. FreShGA!

FreShGA, a subsidiary of SGA, is comprised of 25 young leaders that spend their freshman year finding out what it means to be a Tech Student, learning about what it takes to put on one of the biggest campus events of the year, and making

lasting friendships. We're looking for freshman that are hoping to get involved on campus and want to do things they've never done before. Applications are now available online and are due this Friday, September 3. For more information, check out the website at freShGA.gatech.edu or become a fan on the Facebook page! Make your tomorrows great by applying for FreShGA today!

Mission, Vision, and Goals of SGA:

Mission Statement

The mission of the Student Government Association of the Georgia Institute of Technology is to provide a learning environment that promotes the Institute’s motto of Progress and Service by:

• Providing responsive and effective advocacy• Maintaining responsible fiscal stewardship• Promoting honor and Integrity

To that end, we will work with fellow students, the administration and the community in an effort to enhance the overall student experience.

Vision Statement

The Student Government Association of the Georgia Institute of Technology will serve as the chief advocacy group for students by effectively communicating with faculty and constituents. The Student Government will collaborate with student organizations and the administration to build a strong collegial community that embraces diversity. In doing so, the Student Government will assist in the Institute’s greater vision of developing leaders who influence major technological, social, and policy decisions that address critical global challenges.

Goals

The goals of the Executive Branch of the Student Government Association exist solely to build and enhance our Georgia Tech community. They are as follows:

1. To increase the number of value added experiences in the classroom and to support and recognize that education happens inside and outside of the classroom.

2. To enhance the student voice by making SGA a more effective partner for student organizations and provide all students the opportunity to influence the actions of SGA.

3. To build an inclusive campus community that promotes diversity of thought, creed, and background in an effort to foster pride on campus and in the reputation of the Institute.

4. To spur collaboration amongst student organizations that promotes concentrated large-scale programming that enhances the student experience.

5. To enhance relationships between the students, faculty, administrators, and campus departments in an effort to strengthen the student voice and identify and meet the needs of the student body.

6. To impact our local, state, and national community.

Woodruff Arts Initiative:

SGA undergraduate and graduate leadership has been working on a partnership with the Woodruff Arts Center in an effort that will allow Georgia Tech students to purchase a "season pass" to all Woodruff Arts Center Events. If SGA legislation provides financial support for the program, the passes will go on sale September 16th in the Georgia Tech box office located in the Student Center for $20. The pass gives each student unlimited access to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the High Museum, and the Alliance Theater. In addition guests of students who purchase a pass will be eligible for a $12 ticket to any of the three venues.

Furthermore, if the bill passes, the High Museum will be hosting a Georgia Tech night on September 30th featuring various Georgia Tech student organizations, free admission to the museum and an Alliance Theater play.

Student Government is here to serve you, so please know that we are always willing to hear from you. Please feel free to contact me at any time with concerns or questions that you may have, or if you’re interested in getting involved in what we’re doing!

Best wishes,

Brooke McDanielbmcdaniel3@gatech.eduVice President of CommunicationsStudent Government Association