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SGA president presents ambitious agenda by Cindy Abole Public Relations If Student Government Association (SGA) President Alex Whitley had his way this school year, he would like to see a tighter, more collaborative student body, a healthy smoke-free environment, plus a fair and convenient online parking system for students. He’s presented a packed and ambitious agenda that challenges students and promotes improvements to create a harmonious campus environment.   Whitley, who is in his second term as SGA president, enters the fall semester after an active summer spent meeting with campus leaders and staff, SGA members, and students to discuss important issues and collect feedback.   Topping the list is SGA’s efforts for unity among the college groups and bringing people together.      “Everyone is involved in college volunteer efforts,” said Whitley. “If we can coordinate ways for universitywide groups and college organizations to pool their volunteer efforts together, we’d create a truly collaborative, cohesive environment.”   For example, SGA will be working with student and community groups to expand their roles and provide intercollegiate support with the Tri-county’s World Aids Awareness Day on Dec. 1.   Another priority is MUSC’s leadership in an anti-smoking bill that bans smoking in major areas around campus. SGA’s efforts are to promote passage of the current drafted bill, which gives statewide public colleges and university boards authority to regulate smoking on campus.   “Students and employees will need to come to consensus about what needs to be done about smoking on campus,” Whitley said. “This is a chance for students to learn the process and be proactive in contacting state legislators.”      Other priorities for the academic year include student involvement and representation on committees like the state health insurance consortium committee, which is responsible for selecting health insurance for MUSC’s post-graduate students, to the institution’s reaccreditation process.   Every 10 years, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges assess the accreditation of colleges and institutions across the region. Reaccreditation is a vital piece for a public institution to receive financial aid funding, operation of federal work study programs and ability to grant degrees. To prepare for reaccreditation, students are volunteering their time serving on committees or taking  more active in the process.   Finally, he spoke about improvements to the student online parking system. This summer, Whitley met with a new Information Technology (IT) project team composed of Whitley, Student Services’ Robin Hardin and IT specialist Greg Fisher and Parking Management’s Melinda Anderson. The group worked together to evaluate student needs and address specific issues to customize an  improved software system to handle their needs.      “Alex represents students very well,” said Fisher, who manages university administration, financial aid and payroll network systems. “Our group’s goal is to identify a fair and effective system for the students that meets their real needs with convenience.”      Next for Whitley and the IT team is to communicate again with students and conduct a survey through SGA to discuss student options regarding parking (student seniority, number of years, class, etc.).   “Alex has placed a lot of thought and planning into making this the most equitable way to handle parking,” Fisher said. “What students won’t realize is the benefit from seeing the project from beginning to a resolvable end.”     Friday, Sept. 16, 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.