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Student Government Association gives update

by Peko Tsuji
Secretary, Student Government Association
Library: The SGA worked with MUSC administrators to design the layout of the new library building, and advocated wireless access in the library after construction is completed. Laptop check-out will also be available after wireless implementation.
 
Additionally, SGA collaborated with library administrators to allow students 24/7 access to the second floor during final exams and advocated to extend library hours to 24/7 with card access. Safety concerns when the library is open 24/7 are being resolved. Regarding the newly established GoPrint system, SGA continued to support student concerns regarding the printing process, informed students of printing procedure and updates, and advocated an end-of-the year report on cost savings with the printing process. A cell phone policy for the library was put in place to decrease distraction in student work areas.

Honor Code: SGA works as a liaison between the University Honor Council and the administration, and represents student concerns at a university level. SGA approved amendments to the Honor Code per the University Honor Council, Dean’s Council, and President’s Council. SGA also encouraged the MUSC Faculty Senate to adopt an MUSC Standards of Conduct. Plagiarism was identified as a growing concern on campus and SGA notified CAE to become involved.

Student Life: The SGA sponsored 51 universitywide events attended by 14,604 students and their guests. An additional $4,286 was made in commission from sales of class rings and diploma frames. The SGA worked hard to plan and execute a diverse calendar of social, cultural, recreational and educational events well within the SGA’s program budget. More than  700 people attended the 55th annual Alhambra spring fling.
 
To promote international students’ attendance at the events, SGA offered a reggae-themed event as the back-to-school party. Four St. Luke’s Concerts, featuring some world-renowned musicians, were all well attended by MUSC students, staff and faculty. Each  concert was followed by a free dessert reception in the Basic Science Building lobby. SGA planned and instituted the first Student Academic Series, attained some private funding for it, and also wrote a proposal for university funding.  The series is expected to become an annual event. SGA, with the help of other student organizations, raised approximately $1,800 for donation to Tsunami relief through Water Missions International. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Parking and Safety: SGA worked diligently with Parking Management to keep student parking in A-lot as long as possible and helped move students in A, N, O, and P lots due to delayed construction. To gain student input, SGA created and issued a Parking Registration Survey/Referendum to the student body to analyze preferred methods of parking registration and, by majority vote, are working with Parking Management and Information Technology to change it to an online system.
 
The SGA also held its first safety walk, highlighting areas of concern around campus. Subsequently, we are working with Public Safety and Parking Management to correct these areas of concern. This walk will become an annual event.

Health Care: MUSC SGA drafted a letter to the administration regarding enforcement of MUSC’s smoking policy. Working with Student Health, a representative from Pearce & Pearce was invited to an SGA meeting to listen to student concerns and comments. 
 
Concerns regarding the hours of the nurse practitioner at Student Health were addressed. On a state level, MUSC SGA participated in the first Health Insurance Summit with Clemson and USC in addressing our concerns regarding student health insurance, such as student representation on committees. MUSC SGA began collaboration with 15 other state institutions through the South Carolina State Student Association and effectively lobbied to SC legislators on behalf of higher education.
 
The first meeting of the Student Legislative Advisory Committee was held, and their charter was established with the MUSC administration.
   

Friday, July 8, 2005
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.