SGA provides forum for students to speak out
Ashley Dison
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: More Talk
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During the meeting, the team of officers, along with a selection of Tech officials, gave students an opportunity to voice their concerns, and to ask questions to become better informed.
PARKING PROBLEMS
Tech Police Chief Randal Hermes and Dickie Crawford, dean of student life and auxiliary services, addressed parking concerns.
"I realize many of you are frustrated with parking, and I understand your frustration," Hermes said.?"By October of last year, 4,710 student parking decals were sold in the fall quarter, and 4,200 student parking spaces within about an eighth-of-a-mile from major campus structures were available."
He added that 1,040 faculty and staff decals were sold in that time frame, and 819 faculty and staff parking spaces were available.
The cost of parking decals was raised last fall from $25 to $40, but Hermes said Tech decals are still the third least expensive university parking decals in the state.
"The cost increase was necessary because of the higher education budget cuts, and the money you pay Tech for your sticker is spent on parking lot maintenance, such as gravel and lights," he said.
Crawford reiterated the cost factor, stating for a gravel lot of 500 parking spaces, the cost per space is $100-$150, as opposed to $1,500-$2,000 per space for a paved lot of that capacity and $30,000-$35,000 per space for a parking garage of standard size.
Lighting, like parking, is a concern Hermes said that has been recently raised.
"I agree there is not adequate lighting around campus," Hermes said. "I have voiced my concern about this, and especially in light of the incident of a couple of weeks ago, when one of our students was attacked at night, we have begun to work on this issue."
DINING SERVICES
The importance of a positive dining experience to most students was acknowledged by Crystal Berry, marketing director for food services.
Berry said the newest addition to campus dining, Southern Tsunami Sushi, has been a huge success, and has resulted in mostly positive feedback from students.
"We are trying to offer more international foods and vegetable items," Berry said. "Construction on Panda Express will begin this spring, and hopefully be completed and the establishment open to the public in the fall. We are also looking to offer Maggie Moo's soon."
"We have heard many of you feel the decor in the cafeteria is too institutional, and I see where you're coming from," Berry said. "That's why we are planning a cafeteria face lift in late spring to summer."
ATHLETICS
Leah Beasley, assistant athletics director, said the athletics department is working on ways to draw more students to games and make sporting events more enjoyable.
"We understand the importance of getting you guys to games and in the seats," Beasley said.
Beasley said they are working on improving concessions, admittance lines and special prizes and events.
"We've had a phenomenal past year in athletics as far as game attendance and excitement goes," Beasley said.
Amid much talk of former football coach and athletic director Derek Dooley's resignation and the hiring of new head coach Sonny Dykes, Beasley spoke of how the change will affect the team and Tech's image.
"Personality-wise, Dykes is the opposite of Dooley, but I think all of you will like him a lot, and he will do great things for the Bulldogs," she said.
SGA PROJECTS
In addition to updates by staff officials, SGA senators and class officers reported on news in their areas of expertise.
Vice President Emily LaFleur, said the SGA will be sending two of its members to the Conference on Student Government Associations later this quarter.
"This is where we have learned about community service projects, such as the Big Event," LaFleur, a junior journalism major, said.
SGA President Allison Reynolds said Tech saved $20,000 in operating costs that resulted from the implementation of the "Go Print" program.
Reynolds, a senior political science and speech communication major, said as her term nears the end, there are several things she vows to see completed, including carrying out the Digital Signage bill, which ensures that "Smart Classrooms" receive routine updates.
"I also want to see the new security cameras installed; that is something Chief Hermes and I worked very hard on."
In view of her approaching graduation and the end of her SGA presidency, Reynolds tearfully expressed what Tech and SGA have meant to her.
She said, "Although laps may be finished, you need to always finish strong because there are always laps to follow."
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