Student government gives
students voice at Purdue
By Kurt Esposito
Summer
Editor
Students looking for a way to voice their opinions
or become involved in student issues can turn to or join the Purdue
Student Government.
"It’s an organization that is supposed
to benefit the students and be the student’s voice to the administration,"
said Jessica Cavallo, Purdue Student Government (PSG) secretary.
The organization has a seat on both the Board of
Trustees and the University Senate.
Cavallo said if students become involved in the
organization, they will be able to make contacts in the administration
and have some input in issues that affect students.
She said it also a good resume builder and provides
a fun atmosphere for the students involved.
She said if students are not involved in PSG they
can still contact the organizations if they have any concerns. Students
are welcome to attend all Student Senate sessions and are welcome to
contact the PSG office.
An information session will be held at the beginning
of the school year to let students know how they can get involved and
what events PSG has planned for the school year.
"We have set our agenda for the fall to include
many programs and events that students will benefit from," said
Brenda Shea, student body president. "We have made plans to improve
some existing programs, but also we are planning to introduce some new
activities we believe students will really enjoy."
She said some of those activities include the extension
of the free weekend bus serve, Night Rider, to Wabash Landing; location
of a movie theater and various eateries; an updated Web site, which
will include a message board and free advertisements for other student
organizations; and a Homecoming parade scheduled for the Oct. 26 weekend.
The group also provides legal aid for students,
where students receive legal advice from lawyers. The lawyers can also
refer the students to other lawyers for council.
The organization is made up of two components:
the Student Senate and the executive office. The executive office is
made up of Shea, student body vice president Matt Newton and the cabinet
and directors, who oversee all of the programming.
Representation in the Student Senate is based on
the academic schools; each of the schools as well as the Graduate Student
Association receive two seats on the senate. Elections for the senate
will take place in October; any student is able to run for the seats
in their school.
Cavallo said there is no set format for how the
senate will operate because it has been recently reconfigured, but the
new senate will formulate a new method of operation.
Students who want to join the group can either
run for a seat on the senate or can join one of committees directed
by the programming directors.
An information session is scheduled for Sept. 11,
the senate election information session is scheduled for Sept. 25 and
the election callout is scheduled for Oct. 10.
Shea said, "I encourage all freshmen to get
involved in their school’s student council or in student government.
Running in October elections would be a great opportunity to meet new
people and represent your fellow Boilers, and it is a perfect opportunity
to serve the students of Purdue."
• The PSG office, located in the basement
of the Stewart Center, can be reached at 494-7201. The first Student
Senate meeting will 7 p.m. Aug. 29. Meetings after that will be held
at 7 p.m. every other Wednesday night in Stewart Center.
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