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Fall accomplishments for student association by Peko Tsuji SGA Communications Committee  The MUSC Student Government Association (SGA) continues to work diligently to address student concerns across campus. We would like to share some of our accomplishments from this past semester, many of which will continue to be addressed in the spring semester and beyond.    Academic—The SGA instituted the First Annual Student Academic Series, which included topics ranging from the policy, laws, and ethics surrounding the beginnings and endings of life (Pitts Lectureship) to financial planning, Alcohol Awareness, and AIDS. The Student Academic Series in the spring semester will prove to be just as intellectually stimulating, with topics on the Pharmaceutical Industry, Health Care, and Inclusiveness and Equity. SGA also held its first meeting of the Student Legislative Advisory Committee and helped establish its charter with MUSC administration. Health Care—The SGA, in cooperation with Student Health, invited representatives from our student health insurance provider, Pearce and Pearce. SGA representatives interacted with the Pearce and Pearce representatives by asking questions and pointing out issues/concerns. As a result of this meeting, SGA will form a committee comprised of students and a representative from Student Health Services to begin deciphering what MUSC students want for student health insurance. The SGA will also work with Student Health to provide students with a handbook/guideline of the student health insurance policy when the new provider and policy are selected. SGA also communicated student concerns regarding the hours of the nurse practitioner to Student Health. Library—Throughout the fall and spring semesters, the SGA worked with the university administration to limit construction distractions in the Library/Administration Building. In addition, the SGA  worked with the university administration regarding the planning of the new spaces in the Library/Administration Building, and on the Library’s Pay-to-Print initiative. Decreasing students’ costs by increasing the amount placed on each free print card from $5 to $10 and are pursuing additional options. The library will complete an end of the year report on costs of printing after implementing new software. In the upcoming months, SGA hopes to release a cell phone policy for the library as well as extended hours for spring semester exams. Parking—SGA worked with parking management to address student parking issues and maintain A-lot as long as possible. A student parking survey yielded the beginning stages of online parking registration for returning students. Also, SGA is planning a safety walk with public safety, which will include a look at different areas across campus and improvement of their respective safety issues.  Student Life—SGA worked with the Harper Student Center to replace missing equipment. We successfully executed all of SGA’s planned social, cultural, and recreational events within the budget. SGA, college student presidents and universitywide student presidents drafted a letter requesting unanimous support for MUSC’s smoking policy. For everyone's health, we hope to encourage stronger enforcement of the smoking policy already in place.  The SGA Web site is a good tool for communicating issues between SGA and the MUSC student body. Updated information regarding voting, parking, etc is available as it arises. The Student Programs Web site and SGA Web site work together to complement rather than duplicate information.   Friday, Jan. 28, 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.