The last semester of the century witnessed SGA President Jay Perry along with the rest of the SGA taking steps to better the lives of students at Saint Louis University. This included working with faculty and staff to improve the campus parking situation and to push the planning stages for a new student union, entitled SLUnion.
These were not the only issues addressed in Perry’s speech. Perry touched on the issue of technology, noting “new reforms and programs in the area of technology which will only improve upon the importance of student advocacy now and into the future.” One of the reforms Perry mentioned in his speech is a new SGA web site, which allows students to view pivotal documents and applications.
Perry also spoke of a bill passed last semester that would allow for students to vote online in the February elections. “Online polling is going to be big,” said first-year senator Chad Kreikemeier, in regards to the new attempt to make students more active in the election.
Perry also mentioned the activation of a Campus Activities Hotline (977-1515), set up earlier in the school year, for bringing students out to more SAB events.
The speech also noted the coming of possible proposals from a University Parking Concerns Task Force, a “watchdog organization” that consists of students, faculty and staff representatives. “Our successes in such areas will be more easily measured towards the end of this academic year, and will help to bury a past which has been plagued by the presence of the dreaded `spring surprise,'” Perry said.
The speech acknowledged the house’s actions to improve its “internal structures.”
Alluding to the reforms within the Great Issues committee and the creation of the first ever house and senate joint committee, the Committee for Internal Affairs.
However this is not the only committee created this year. The House of Governors has created a steering committee, whose mission it is to create reforms within the body.
“In the coming months, these new structures will continue to grow as the house once again finds its purpose, and establishes itself as a strong force in the development of student life and student activities on our campus,” Perry said.
The speech was also punctuated by several short, but persistent, applauses by the senate and house.
One of these came when Perry mentioned his fight for pencil sharpeners in classrooms.
There are currently classrooms all over SLU that do not offer this overlooked, but ever-important academic tool.
In his closing remarks, Perry said, “We must proceed with the same confidence and determination of those who have gone before us.
“We must truly live up to the motto of the 27th General Assembly; we must continue to `take student advocacy to the next level.’
“And, we must proceed once again, as a united student body whose vision knows no limits.”
“[Perry] did an excellent job of hitting key highlights, and laying out the future.” said international student senator Dane Salazar.
