Unity Council meeting recap
Unity Council had their first meeting Monday November 02, 2009. We discussed discrimination in Missouri, Springfield, MO, and Missouri State University. We had snacks played an activity and had open and honest discussion. The response we received from the council is that they do not believe discrimination is a problem on campus. But, they do believe that there is room for improvement in Springfield. So, they proposed an idea for a “Unity Rally.” This rally would serve the purpose to expose Springfield to different cultures by MSU students standing together to say, “We are a diverse community and we like it that way. We embrace different people and cultures.” This event would have music, games, food and much more. What do you all think?
On another note, I feel that most cultures were under represented. I cannot express to you how important it is for you to come to these meetings. Unity Council is about change for the better. But, we cannot make the correct change without knowing what students want. Our next meeting will be held on Dec. 6, 2009. Check back for more information soon.
Raquita Bolden | Tue, Nov 3 at 10:02 AM
New Rules Concering the CJB
The IAC will be conducting an inverstigation of the Campus Judicial Board (CJB) in order to determine how to help the body function more effeciently.
John Maddux | Wed, Oct 28 at 8:16 PM
Does discrimination exist on the Missouri State University campus?
The Diversity and Public Affairs Committee will be hosting their first Unity Council Meeting of the 2009-2010 school year! At this meeting, representatives from their respected multicultural organizations will have a chance to speak about their organization’s upcoming events, get new ideas, network, and discuss important issues concerning Missouri State University’s multicultural community. This meeting's question is, "Does discrimination, based on race, gender, or sexual preference exist in Missouri? How does this compare to Missouri State University?"
These meetings are open to anyone one who wishes to come. Come out and voice your opinion! For more info copy and paste the link below into your web browser:
http://sga.missouristate.edu/projects.php?id=27
Raquita Bolden | Wed, Oct 21 at 11:17 AM
Is It Time for Parnter Benefits at Missouri State University?
If you didn't know, SGA has past several resolutions asking cabinet to look into partner benefits. In short, partner benefits is health insurance that covers for bisexual, gay, and lesbian people and their partners. If you want to learn more about this issue, attend the Brownbag lunch and Discussion sponsored by the Bisexual Gay and Lesbian Alliance (BiGALA). This panel discussion will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM in the Paster Student Union, room 313. Panelists include Dr. Deb Larson, Media, Journalism & Film; Dr. Thomas Wyrick, Department of Economics; Dr. Leslie Anderson, President's Commission for Diversity and Shelley Vaugine, MLS, Missouri State University retiree.
If you would like more information, check out BiGALA's website or call 417-863-3043.
Raquita Bolden | Tue, Oct 20 at 9:44 AM
Town Hall Forum
Students, You may have already heard the discussion about the FY 2011 situation. Higher education in Missouri is likely to face hard budget constraints as the state of our economy continues. Missouri State University recognizes the situation we may face and is prepared to act accordingly. For some background information, many of you also remember that the state faced grave concerns about the higher education budget just last year. However, there was no need to make changes because of the one-time stimulus money that we received from the federal government. That money will not be around next year and the state’s revenues are lower than we can sustain to increase higher education funding. Cuts are likely. President Nietzel first addressed this issue during his “State of the University” speech and in his first town hall forum on the budget. There will be a second town hall forum regarding the budget situation on October 28, 2009 from 3-4pm in the PSU Theater. I encourage students to attend and listen to the options we are considering in light of the budget cuts we will be facing. All the best, Kristen Sanocki Student Body Vice President
Kristen Sanocki | Sun, Oct 18 at 12:17 AM
New Projects for R&D
The Research and Development has been hard at work at bringing new projects and ideas to Missouri State. The current projects we're working on include: Bearline GPS tracking, improving the Missouri State website, a campus wide yard sale, joining the Tree Campus USA program, and working to get weekly polls out for the Public Opinion Poll.
Tree Campus USA
- The Tree Campus USA program would bring additional trees to campus that were lost during the great ice storm of 2007.
- We're currently researching the requirements of the program and are in talks with various university organizations.
Campus Wide Yard Sale
- This program would allow all students to setup a table on campus towards the end of the year to sell any excess items they would like to get rid of.
- We're looking at doing this event towards the end of April or beginning of May.
Improving MissouriState.edu
- We have begun researching our current website and will focus on how we can improve this site in various ways.
- We would like this site to be as attractive and useful to both current Missouri State and perspective students, as well as faculty and staff.
If you have any questions about the projects that R&D is working on or have a super awesome idea you can stop by our committee meetings on Tuesday's at 4:45pm in PSU 310 or shoot me an email at thomas007@live.missouristate.edu
Jeff Thomas | Sat, Oct 10 at 12:19 AM
SGA Leadership Conference
Hi all!!
First, I want to thank SGA for giving me the opportunity to attend the National Leadership Conference on Student Government. I'm very excited about the discussions and exchange of ideas that will surely take place over the next few days. Ryan, Erin, Stephanie, and I arrived an hour late to the event due to the TERRIBLE weather.
Shortly after we arrived, we were split into different color groups. During my group's discussion, it became apparent that this conference would host a variety of universities and colleges. I've met students from colleges with just over a thousand students to universities with about 23,000 students. Though size definitely varies, problems remain constant across the board.
I discussed with other SGA reps issues such as funding, apathetic students, and changing policy. Erin and I engaged in a very interesting conversation with students from Cazenovia College in New York. We discussed how to better their SGA through structure, funding, and student engagement. I'm very hopeful that this conference will not only be a chance for us to gather knowledge to help MSU but also a chance for us to help other SGAs around the country!
Justin Mellish | Thu, Oct 8 at 10:49 PM
Impress your friends with this tidbit of knowledge...
September 28th and guess what? It's National Parks Week!
The United States has 58 recognized national parks and 333 national monuments and historic cites, 12 of those are right here in Missouri.
But you don't have to to take a road trip to Yosemite, Shenandoah, or the Grand Tetons to appreciate the beautiful country that surrounds us.
As if you needed an excuse to get out in this gorgeous autumn weather we're experiencing, let me just give you a bit more encouragement:
Get outside!
Breathe in that fresh air!
Take a leisurely walk!
Admire the changing colors!
Savor the crunch of fallen leaves under your feet!
Cherish the sunset!
In fact, quit reading this right now, turn off the computer and go right now. No excuses.
Don't waste this beautiful day.
Ellen Matheny | Mon, Sep 28 at 4:24 PM
Going to Grad. School?
The Academic Affairs Committee is working hard to increase and centralize the graduate school testing preparatory materials that MSU offers. We have already made some important progress!!
For example, SGA is partnering with the Bear CLAW to host The Princeton Review on October 3 and 8, 2009, to do graduate school admissions test preparation. On the 3rd, The Princeton Review will be administering practice tests, and on the 8th, they will be presenting over how to succeed on each test and what to expect from graduate school. The events are free and every student who attends will receive a copy of "The Pocket Guide to Graduate School Admissions" book. Please RSVP by going to www.PrincetonReview.com/GradTestFest, calling 800-273-8439, or emailing at ForrestR@Review.com. The schedule of events is as follows:
Saturday, October 3
9:00 a.m. LSAT practice test - Glass 102
MCAT practice test - Glass 108
1:00 p.m. GRE practice test - Glass 102
GMAT practice test - Glass 101
Thursday, October 8 - All in Library 101 Auditorium
12:00-1:00 Get an MBA Brownbag/return GMAT scores
4:00-5:00 Make Grad School a Reality/return GRE scores
5:30-6:30 MCAT session/return MCAT scores
7:00-8:00 LSAT session/return LSAT scores
8:00-9:00 Law School/Medical School Personal Statement Workshop
In addition, the Library has just purchased nine new test prep manuals. Upon their arrival, they will be placed at the Reserves Desk rather than the Reference Desk. The location of these materials have moved to allow for a one-day checkout. You can also take free online practice tests by visisting the Learning Express Library database off of the Library website!
Kristina Moller | Sat, Sep 26 at 5:49 PM
Campus Recreation Center Design
Hey Missouri State Students,
As some of you may know, the new University Recreation Center will likely be breaking ground in March 2010. That's in about 5 months, and the design is about the be finalized. Before that happens, the University and the Recreation Center Planning Committee wants your input:
From the Campus Architect:
The design plans for the University Recreation Center will be available for review in the Campus Recreation Offices (1st Floor of the PSU) and at the Burgess House (on the NE Corner of Madison & National). All review comments are appreciated and welcome. The greater the input we get on a submittal the better the project can be. If there is anything our office can do to assist in the review of these drawings, please let us know. Please submit your comments to the Office of the Architect and Campus Planning @ architect@MissouriState.edu by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2009. It will be assumed that if no comments are returned that the submittal has been judged as acceptable and approved to proceed on to the next step in the design phase of the project.
The following photos have also been provided by Design and Construction & the architect- Cannon Design:
In Other Rec. Center News: SGA passed a resolution this week to encourage the University Recreation Center Planning Committee to ensure that the facility to built to LEED-Silver Certification Standards...meaning the facility would be MSU's first LEED (earth friendly/sustainable) facilities. If you have any other question feel free to e-mail Garton222@live.missouristate.edu