PSG hopes to improve accessibility
By Kurt Esposito
Assistant
Campus Editor
The student body
president and vice president are hoping the reforms made to Purdue Student
Government last semester will make the organization more efficient and
more accessible for students this year.
In April, changes
to the structure of PSG were voted on and passed by the student body.
Under the new system, representation in the Student Senate is based
on academic school rather than housing and senators will be voted on
in student elections. These changes were made so senators could be held
more accountable for their actions.
The organization's
constitution was also changed.
Matt Newton, student
body vice president, said he expects the first senate meeting to consist
of passing new bylaws and standing rules.
"I'm sure as the
first meeting passes there will be more issues for the second," he said.
Under the new system
Brenda Shea, student body president, would like to see more student
involvement in campus issues. PSG is expecting to place student representatives
on University Senate and on the campus appeals board.
"The main thing
we want to happen is each student should have a clear path when he or
she comes to PSG with concerns," said Shea.
Some issues Shea
and Newton would like to see addressed are expanding the amount of 24-hour
computer labs and making sure the disturbances that happened on April
Fool's Day after the NCAA women's basketball championship don't happen
again.
Newton said he would
like to see an action plan made available to students. The plan would
let students know what procedures the police take during events similar
to the revelries and would let them know what their rights are, "as
well as the rights of the police," said Newton.
They are also hoping
to continue to support the "Champions Make Choices" campaign, which
was started in April in response to the disturbances. The campaign is
designed to encourage students to make positive choices in all aspects
of life, including celebrations.
PSG is helping sponsor
an event at the Recreational Sports Center on Sept. 7 as an alternative
to alcohol related festivities. The center will be open an extra hour
— until 3 a.m. — so students can have more time to use its
facilities. The Clayton Miller Blues Band will perform at the event.
Newton said he encourages
students to attend because it will be a fun time.
The student group
is also involved with the planning of the Homecoming
parade at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 on the streets surrounding campus. The parade will feature the
All-American Marching Band and floats from student groups.
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