October 21, 2003 - ibiblio
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Tepper Administration
Executive Branch of Student Government
October Report
Prepared by the Office of the Student Body President
October 21, 2003
Box 47, Carolina Union
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
This publication was paid for, in part, by Student Activity Fees
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Executive Branch of Student Government
Tepper Administration
October 2003 Report
Table of Contents
I. Introduction From President Matt Tepper 1
II. Officer Reports
Student Body President Matt Tepper 3
Student Body Vice President Rebekah Burford 10
Student Body Secretary Frances Ferris 13
Student Body Treasurer Alexa Kleysteuber 16
Chief of Staff Ben Adams 18
Senior Advisor Alexi Nunn 21
III. Reports of the Executive Assistants to the Student Body President
Senior Executive Assistant Graham Long 25
Executive Assistants Patricia Cowley, Seth Dearmin,
and Tim Skender 27
IV. Committee Reports
Academic Affairs 30
Arts Advocacy 33
Business and Technology 37
Human Relations 39
Minority Affairs 41
Off Campus Housing Association 44
Public Service and Advocacy 46
Student Life 49
Student Services 51
Town Relations 53
Womens Affairs 55
V. Appendices 58
Appendix A: Platform
Appendix B: Cabinet
Appendix C: Weekly Highlights
Appendix D: Press Releases
Appendix E: Speeches
Appendix F: Letters and Memos
Appendix G: Op-Eds
Appendix H: Summer Report
Appendix I: Legislative Lobbying
Appendix J: First Year Residential Experience
Appendix K: Student Leader Summit
Appendix L: Student Wish list
October 21, 2003
Fellow Tar Heels,
My first six months serving as your president have proved to be both exciting and challenging. My administration has worked hard to implement the platform promises made during my campaign as well as deal with unexpected issues as they arise.
One of our greatest achievements is the increased accessibility to Student Government that we have created for the student body. We have made great strides to expand and update our website, unc.edu/studgov, which is an excellent resource for students to learn current information about the Executive Branch. We release Weekly Highlights in order to demonstrate what we do on a day-to-day basis to improve the student experience at Carolina. I, along with the other members of my cabinet, have built strong, lasting relationships with faculty and administrators that give us an advantage when lobbying for student issues. We’ve also built a strong coalition of student organizations and leaders who are all working for one group: the student body.
You, the students, are the reason that we worked to install a bike pump station on the lower level of the Carolina Union. As we spent the summer lobbying the North Carolina General Assembly to help reduce budget cuts and tuition increases, we were always working with the student body in mind. Students are also the reason that we created the Student Wish List, to ensure that the needs of the UNC student body are met by the Carolina First Campaign.
Despite the incredible accomplishments that my cabinet has achieved, there is still much to do in the coming months. By next April, we plan to fully implement my platform as promised. I want to ensure that my administration is remembered for its actions rather than merely its words.
Sincerely,
Matt Tepper
Student Body President
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Officer Reports
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REPORT OF THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT MATT TEPPER
Communication and Accountability with the Student Body
A primary focus of President Tepper’s campaign platform was to increase the accountability and communication within student government. Over the past six months, the Tepper administration has worked to deliver this promise in multiple ways.
Besides holding informal lunch office hours in the pit at least two days a week, Tepper scheduled several days this semester for official Student Government Office Hours in the Pit. The first one, coordinated by the Human Relations Committee on Sept. 24, was very successful. In November, Tepper and his cabinet will hold their next official office hours in the pit.
In his platform, Tepper made a commitment to provide an updated and extensive Executive Branch website. With the Carolina Computing Initiative in full swing, the majority of students get their information from the web. An updated website is something that Student Government has not always made a priority in the past. Tepper began planning for the site soon after his election in March. Aamer Abbas, one of the most committed webmasters in student government history, and his Carolina Consulting colleagues had the site up and running by mid April. Under the direction of Student Body Secretary Frances Ferris, the Executive Branch continuously updates this important communication tool.
Tepper initiated a first ever “Summer Report” to provide the student body with a record of our accomplishments throughout the summer so they would be aware of our actions and could then provide feedback, suggestions or concerns. This again demonstrates the Tepper Administration’s ongoing commitment to communicating with the student body.
Student Government also had its largest presence ever at Fall Fest. Cabinet collected names of many interested students as well as promoted its services and mission to the student body via “slap bracelet” advertising. This converted into the largest Student Government interest meeting turnout in the past four years with over 200 students.
The Student Leader Summit also demonstrated to students the commitment of Student Government to support our diverse amount of student organizations. Chief of Staff Ben Adams and the Student Life Committee took the lead in coordinating the summit. Tepper invited Chancellor Moeser, Athletic Director Dick Baddour, and Trustee John Ellison to take part in the panel on University leadership. After gauging initial reactions and feedback from several of the more than 75 student organization presidents in attendance, the summit was well received. Students especially liked the booklet of useful information provided to each participant.
The Tepper administration also plans to present this year’s October Report to students in a more accessible way. In the past, Student Government usually gives the report to Congress and to the DTH and posts a copy on the website for students to read. Much of the student body does not get a chance to see the accomplishments of the Executive Branch. To address this problem, this year in addition to providing the traditional web and paper copy of the report, Student Government will have an October Report music video air in the Pit. Tim Skender, the Executive Assistant to the Student Body President, is coordinating this video project.
As is evident in the lengthy description above, Tepper has put a lot of energy and effort in reintroducing Student Government to the student body. It is virtually impossible to reach everyone of Carolina’s 25,000 students, but with a continued commitment to accessibility and originality, it is possible to inform a large number of students about the efforts of the Executive Branch of Student Government.
Tar Heel Bus Tour
On May 19 and 20, President Tepper participated in a journey on which no other student body president has ventured before, the Tar Heel Bus Tour across the state with new faculty members. This turned out to be one of Tepper’s most intimate moments thus far to interact with Carolina faculty. Tepper developed a relationship with Judith Wegner, Chair of the Faculty, as well as made contacts with faculty throughout the University.
Legislative Lobbying
During the legislative session, Tepper spent a significant amount of time lobbying the General Assembly with Kevin Fitzgerald and other student government members. Tepper established important connections with state legislators and helped convey student concerns to our representatives. Tepper worked with Vice President Rebekah Burford, his executive assistant Tim Skender and Secretary Frances Ferris to create a video highlighting the affects of budget cuts at UNC-CH as well as the other schools in the UNC system. This video, along with a dense informational packet, was distributed to legislators as well as local and national media to demonstrate how students will be affected by the budget cuts.
With the rapid approach of next year’s legislative season, it is important that students start lobbying the General Assembly early. This will be a tough session with recent UNC action on the Out of State Cap issue. Hopefully this focus will not translate into harsher treatment of the University during the budgeting process. Students need to be engaged to work with key legislators to avoid such a circumstance.
Tuition Increases: Campus Based, System Wide, and Legislative
As Student Body President, Tepper is charged with co-chairing the Tuition Task Force. The committee spent an enormous amount of time last year in figuring out a fair dollar amount for an increase. Tepper and student members of the taskforce reassessed the current economic situation in this year’s tuition negotiations. The administration’s goal is to put forward a timely and thoroughly reviewed plan to the Chancellor by the end of this fall. On Oct. 16, the Tuition Task Force recommended a $300 per year tuition increase for a total of three years, a reduction of $50 from last year’s proposal. The committee recommended that some of the money go towards increasing salaries for teaching assistants, faculty, and staff members. The increase will go into affect pending approval from the Board of Governors.
Tepper has had a running dialogue with Kevin Fitzgerald, the University liaison to the General Assembly. Tepper and Fitzgerald have had conversations about a possible meeting with staff at Governor Easley’s office to discuss the future of tuition at our university and at universities within the system. This is an area where the Association of Student Governments will be particularly useful. Student leaders must focus not only on the yearly increases, but also on the direction tuition is moving in the next several years. To assist in the discussions, Tepper has done research on different tuition models across the country. It is incredibly important that students be able to plan for their college expenses through their four years at Carolina. Illinois passed a law last year guaranteeing a certain tuition rate for a four year public education. Universities can still increase tuition, but only on incoming students. The Tepper administration is beginning the process of testing this tuition approach with various groups to see if it should be a focus for the next legislative session. Regardless, the Executive Branch is preparing to plan for the next General Assembly session now.
Bike Pump
Matt Tepper, Treasurer Alexa Kleysteuber, and Executive Assistant Seth Dearmin gained approval for the Bike Pump Station on the first floor of the Student Union over the summer. After receiving funding from Student Congress to move forward on the project, Tepper and Kleysteuber worked with Scott Hudson, Associate Director of the Union, to install the station. The pump is located between the copy center and the stairs leading up to the Pit and is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Tepper has also had preliminary conversations with Virginia Carson about adding an additional pump in the Campus Y renovation plans.
Summer Reading Program: Nickel and Dimed
Over the summer, in conjunction with a wide group of student organizations, Tepper launched a response to the criticism over the Summer Reading Initiative. Tepper spoke at a press conference organized by Student Government, along with a coalition of other student groups, to support academic freedom and stand up for the University’s book choice. He also created a proposal that was adopted by the Chancellor to create a taskforce to examine the experience of workers at UNC. The Chancellor moved forward to create this taskforce, which is chaired by Tommy Griffin, Chair of the Employee Forum and himself. Finally, Tepper worked with Campus Y executive members to create programming for the spring relating to Nickel and Dimed.
In addition to appointing several students to serve on the Chancellor’s Taskforce for a Better Workplace, Tepper serves on the taskforce as well as the Rewards and Recognition Subcommittee. The taskforce and subcommittee have met several times and Tepper looks forward to reviewing the final report of this hardworking taskforce.
Board of Trustees
Matt Tepper has attended three Board of Trustees meetings: one in May, the orientation meeting in July for new members, and the third in September. At the July meeting, Tepper gave a 30-minute presentation to the BOT in order to orient them with the student body. He invited Student Attorney Jonathan Slain to speak at the event as well, and the two highlighted the importance of honor and integrity in the coming year.
He has developed strong relationships with members of the Board and thoroughly enjoys serving the students in this capacity. In order to maximize the potential of the Trustee role, effective communication with the trustees is essential.
The officer team developed four main techniques to voice concerns to the Board members. First, two student lunches were held with the Board before their March and September meetings. In September, members of the Executive Branch and half of the students in the Students Advisory Committee to the Chancellor spoke with the Board on various topics, specifically advising, leadership, and honor and integrity. Secondly, Tepper uses his official commenting period at each meeting to address student concerns. Bringing public attention to student issues is a sure way to accomplish specific goals. Thirdly, Tepper has encouraged interaction with trustees and the student body by inviting them to student events. For example, the Student Leader Summit provided Trustee John Ellison an opportunity to meet with student leaders of campus organizations. Lastly, Tepper keeps in constant touch with trustees to continue to develop a good working relationship. Tepper sends out monthly email updates and visits with trustees at the many official University events (football games, ceremonies).
First Year Residential Education Program
Tepper helped organize the First Year Initiative Review after it lost funding due to budget cuts. He worked to create an alternative proposal for the program to ensure that incoming freshmen already enrolled in FYI were still given a challenging, worthwhile experience. Tepper’s involvement was key in ensuring that FYI remained as a viable program.
Tepper has followed though with his commitment to ensure the success of this interim program by serving as an undergraduate mentor. Despite his hectic schedule, he’s attended every Monday activity and even planned several. He’s devoted to seeing FYRE thrive throughout the fall semester.
It is important to look beyond this interim program. Coordination is needed between the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, Residential Education, students, and other Student Affairs leaders to ensure that we have a stable and well thought out First Year Experience program in place for the upcoming year. Tepper has already had conversations with Dr. Bresciani and Dean Karen Gil about setting up a FYRE review committee.
Local Government Relations
The Town Affairs Committee greatly increased Student Government’s interaction with local government. Soon after taking office, Tepper petitioned the Council to introduce himself. This proved very important because of the intense summer discussions concerning the Cobb Parking Deck. He then spoke in front of the Council supporting the project. The earlier connection Tepper established helped increase the effectiveness and impact of his speech. Also, Frances Ferris, the Student Body Secretary, continues to demonstrate her ongoing talent at promoting student issues and concerns to town leaders. Specifically, her relationship with Mark Kleinschmidt has helped immensely and has given the Executive Branch a direct link to the council.
Relationship with other Student Leaders
A very generous University supporter gives Student Government a yearly grant for its cabinet to attend an Outward Bound course. This year’s cabinet was so large, it was virtually impossible to decide which chairs would be able to have the 12 spots. Instead of using the grant for the cabinet, Tepper consulted the donor and decided to use this opportunity to invite Student Government leaders and a few leaders of large campus organizations to build a strong working relationship early on. The group went to the North Carolina Mountains in May. It is extremely important to have a strong working relationship with fellow student leaders. The relationships that were developed on the trip have continuously proved to be an asset in coordinating events and sharing leadership advice.
Chancellor’s Committee on Student Fees
Similar to past years, in his role as President, Tepper co-chaired the Chancellor’s Student Fee Review Committee with Roger Patterson, the Vice Chancellor of Finance. This year’s process was especially difficult considering the multitude of increases on the table. A devoted group of students in the Student Fee Audit Committee greatly helped this process along by thoroughly examining each fee before it came to the Chancellor’s Committee for consideration. The Chancellor’s Committee reduced the Education and Technology Fee by more than half, as well oversaw the withdrawal of the Late Registration Fee increase. In times of budget crises, it is tempting for departments to turn to the fee process for extra funding. The strong student leadership in both the Student Fee Audit Committee and in the Chancellor’s Student Fee Review Committee ensured that this did not occur.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Search
Unfortunately, the first search failed to turn up an acceptable candidate for this position. As the only student on the committee, Tepper put in an enormous amount of time and energy into making sure the applicants were satisfactory with the student body. At the beginning of the year, Student Government planned a forum with each finalist so students could interact with candidates and evaluate their qualifications, personality and potential for success. It was difficult to gather a group of students at this busy time of the year, but Vice President Rebekah Burford successfully recruited student leaders to attend the forum. Tepper expects the next search to run similarly, except hopefully much faster. Students will have the same opportunities to interact with the candidates. Also, Tepper has appointed two additional students to serve on the new committee, Erika Barrera and Robyn Schryer. This administrative position is a vital one for students and Tepper is committed to finding the perfect candidate in a timely manner.
Wish List
Although Chief of Staff Ben Adams has taken the lead on this platform initiative, President Tepper has closely monitored its progress. Tepper recently met with Matt Kupec to propose several key ideas for the list. He was extremely responsive. The release of the Wish List at the Student Leaders Summit was an enormous success. Student leaders were very positive about the final selections, as were the administrators in attendance. Before its release, Student Government carefully gathered input from a variety of campus organizations and leaders. A well thought-out and student supported list is vital to its success.
Religious Holidays Memo
At the start of the Fall Semester, President Tepper, Provost Robert Shelton, and Chair of the Faculty Judith Wegner released a memo to all faculty members alerting them to important religious holidays over the year. Tepper initiated the memo to ensure that professors are sensitive to the needs and schedule constraints of students who practice religions with holidays that are not officially observed by the university.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
One of the most exciting projects in which Tepper has involved himself is the funding revolution of the CAPS service. During the Fee Process, the state funding CAPS historically received was converted to Student Fee Money to allow for greater personnel flexibility for peak operating times during the school year. The new spending scheme, in additional to the supplemental state funding now available, will put CAPS in a position to be the leading Counseling and Psychological Service in the country. Students have overwhelming voiced the need to reduce wait times and bolster support offered at CAPS. Now this student service has the funding available to make these changes. This was all because of student initiative and leadership. Tepper looks forward to his continued involvement in this restructuring process.
Honor and Integrity
Student Attorney General Jonathan Slain, Chancellor Moeser, and Chair of the Faculty Judith Wegner dedicated an enormous amount of time and resources to promote Honor and Integrity on the Carolina campus. This is a vital time to focus attention on this issue because of the recently adopted changes to the Honor Code. Tepper is very mindful to include Jonathan Slain in as many appropriate public events to help inform as much of the Student Body and university community as much as possible about the student commitment to Honor and Integrity on our campus.
A major push for Honor and Integrity occurred during the second annual Honor and Integrity Week. Along with taping a segment for a video addressing Honor at Carolina, Tepper helped kick off Honor and Integrity week in the pit with a short speech and an attempt at constructing a monument to honor in the pit. Tepper also participated in the Mock Honor Court Hearing. This was a way to show students how the system works and to answer any questions or concerns. It was both entertaining and informative.
Voter Registration Drive and November Elections
Chief of Staff Ben Adams and Senior Advisor Alexi Nunn took brilliant control of the Voter Registration drive. Tepper oversaw the efforts, offered suggestions, and provided manual labor when needed. He did not have to do much, since Adams and Nunn orchestrated the most successful voter registration drive at Carolina to date.
Tepper’s biggest challenge in the Voter Registration process was working with the State Board of Elections to secure voter registration forms for the final push week. After patiently waiting since July for Student Government’s order to be filled, Tepper finally talked with several important leaders across the state to remedy the problem. With the help of Scott Falmlen, the state director of the Democratic Party, Dean Nichol at the Law School, Aaron Nelson at the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, and former Student Body President Bob Spearman, Tepper was able to pressure the State Board of Elections to send Student Government the requested forms. Student Government had a great article run in the Daily Tar Heel highlighting this frustrating process.
Tepper also made initial contact with all candidates for town council to inform them of the candidate forum scheduled Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. in Murphy 116. Tepper also had several meetings with candidates to talk about issues important to students. To date, Tepper met with Jim Ward, Bill Strom, Mike McSwain, and Diane Bachman.
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REPORT OF THE STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT REBEKAH BURFORD
External Appointments
The external appointment process started in the spring semester with about half of the appointments filled before the summer began. In the fall semester the application process opened up again on Aug. 26. There were around 50 applications received in the spring semester, and 60 in the fall semester. The positions were advertised via listservs, a Daily Tar Heel editorial, and a mass email. The fall positions were additionally advertised with a sandwich board located in the pit area and they were promoted at the Student Government information session. The publicity of external appointments allowed for them to be appointed in a fair and public manner.
All of these appointments that were in need of congressional approval received it accordingly. The students who received these appointments are required to report back to Vice President Rebekah Burford with updates from their committees. Most of the external appointments during this administration were interviewed either in person or by phone by Burford and her staff members Meghan Gentile, Rachel Boren, and Derwin Dubose.
The Vice President and her assistants spent a great deal of time reviewing and updating the external appointments listed and described online, in the Student Code, and in the computer database. This revision ensured that all of those positions that are defunct or have completed their charge will be eliminated. Burford desires to have this review process completely finished in order to aid in the transition between herself and her successor.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Burford has also met with John Edgerly, director of CAPS, in order to discuss the concerns of the student body in regards to counseling and psychological services. These meetings will lead to the implementation of some new policies at CAPS that will hopefully reduce wait times. There has been a student fee introduced that will move the funding of CAPS from state money to student fees, which will help with the wait time issue.
Budget Cuts
After noticing the severity of the budget cuts handed down from the General Assembly, Burford lobbied legislators in both the House and the Senate in Raleigh. Then she wrote and produced a multimedia component of the Executive Branch’s struggle against the cuts. This tool aided in discussing the impact that the proposed budget cuts would have on the student experience at the university.
Association of Student Governments
The Association of Student Governments (ASG) had a meeting and Board of Trustees training session on Aug. 8 and 9. This meeting was held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, so Vice President Burford was responsible for “hosting” the council of Student Body Presidents. Burford and the council had a meeting with the Board of Governors and had a special training by President Molly Corbett Broad. Burford also attended the Council of Student Body Presidents in the place of President Tepper, who was out of the country and could not be there. At this meeting, the council was shaping its principles for the year and beginning its initiatives in regards to lobbying and expanding ASG.
Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor
It has been codified that the Student Body Vice President serves as the chair of the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor (SACC). The committee is formed and has been meeting to decide what will be discussed at the Oct. 20 meeting with the Chancellor. SACC will also continue in the tradition of this committee to work to improve the Chancellor’s reputation and relationship with the student body.
Board of Trustees and SACC Relationship
There were two luncheons held between the Board of Trustees and the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor since May 2003. The first one was at noon on the Wednesday of the May Board of Trustees meeting. This luncheon involved members from the last SACC and the current SACC as well as Board of Trustees members. The discussion at the luncheon was led by Burford and created some valuable conversation about honor and intellectual integrity at UNC. The second BOT luncheon incorporated half of SACC and several of the Executive Branch officers. This discussion focused more on advising and has sparked some promising follow-up from administrators who oversee academic advising (Karen Gil and Bernadette Gray-Little).
Advisory Committee on Transportation
Rebekah Burford has been serving on the Advisory Committee on Transportation for over a year. The committee had its first meeting of the fall semester on Sept. 17. At this meeting, they discussed several topics related to student parking and transportation on campus. Both Burford and President Matt Tepper have been meeting separately with Chief of Campus Police Derek Poarch to discuss some issues regarding transportation since the summer. Burford and Tepper have expressed much concern with the Cobb Deck project, and have discussed this with Poarch in regards to student parking. Over the summer, the Department of Public Safety implemented a new parking plan that seriously restricts student parking at night. These new restrictions have caused problems for students. Burford, Tepper, and the parking officials have devised a strategy to publicize the plan to students. They also ensured that the Steele and Caldwell lots would only be closed until 9:00 PM instead of midnight, as originally proposed. Officials will re-evaluate the changes at the end of the semester.
In the ACT meeting on Sept. 17, all of this preemptive work was helpful in getting student opinions to the committee. Most of this year will be spent discussing transit issues on campus and keeping student concerns paramount.
LGBTQ Issues
Burford has been working on making major advances in the University’s practices regarding LGBTQ issues. She has been meeting repeatedly with Steve Allred, Melinda Manning, Marcie Fisher, Stephanie Chang, and Dean Bresciani in regards to making sure that there are representative bodies of students included in the shaping of LGBTQ affairs on campus. Burford is currently serving on the LGBTQ advising committee. Burford has also been working with the staff of the new LGBT office to help make sure that students are involved in shaping the future of the office. Burford has also been pushing to get the letter “Q” included in the acronym naming the office. This would make it the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Queer) office. Adding the word queer is something that both the students and those in charge of the office have supported.
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REPORT OF THE STUDENT BODY SECRETARY FRANCES FERRIS
Press
Frances serves as the primary liaison between the Executive Branch and the media organizations both at the campus level and beyond. She informs the media about important Student Government activities by issuing press releases or directly contacting reporters about a story. She also sends out Student Government Weekly Highlights each week, which are distributed to members of The Daily Tar Heel and Carolina Week. These highlights are also put directly on the website in order for the greater campus community to gain a better idea of what student government does every week to help students.
Expanded and Updated Website
Over the summer, Carolina Consultants worked with the Executive Branch to create a new Student Government website. Specifically, Aamer Abbas, the webmaster for the site, was instrumental in reforming the site. In the past, the website had not been updated frequently and had little resources other than contact information for the officers. Under the Tepper Administration, the site has been expanded to include detailed information about all three branches of student government, though the other two portions of the site are still under construction.
The new site has a feature that allows student government members to add updates and resources at any time. The site now features current press releases, news and announcements, an upcoming events section, executive branch updates, and discussion forums. Frances is responsible for ensuring that the site always contains the most update information. The new website is one of the most important tool for disseminating information about what activities the Executive Branch is involved in and what issues are currently facing the student body.
Media Advisory Board
The main goal for the Media Advisory Board is to examine innovative methods to help student organizations make better use of campus media outlets. There are so many media sources on campus, but students do not have the training or the background to use these resources effectively. Our vision is that the Board will develop programs and initiatives that will facilitate student access to the media on the campus.
Plans to implement the Media Advisory Board are currently underway. Frances and her assistants are developing a set of goals and guidelines for the Board that will then be used to recruit faculty and student members. Frances met with the editor of The Daily Tar Heel, Elyse Ashburn, to gain her insight about the Board. Her comments were very helpful in deciding what direction to move with the committee. Frances will continue to gain input from other campus media sources to get their thoughts as well. Currently, Frances is working to find a faculty chair for the Board, and will then begin to add student members.
Town Relations
Frances has been meeting regularly with the Government Relations Committee of the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce. The group meets monthly to discuss issues relating to the town, such as the upcoming elections and downtown revitalization. By serving as student liaison to this committee, Frances is able to demonstrate to key town players that students are interested in working with officials beyond the Town Council. Historically, Student Government has focused its efforts on the Council, but the Tepper Administration is working to create new relationships with local leaders that we do no typically communicate with on a regular basis.
Frances also oversees the Town Relations Committee, ensuring that they have adequate assistance and guidance in working with the town. Frances acts as a de facto liaison to the Town Council due to her previous experience working with the council under the Justin Young Administration. She remains in frequent contact with council members in order to stay on top of important issues that will be going before the Council.
Suicide Task Force
Over the summer, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dean Bresciani created a Suicide Task Force to examine suicide prevention programs at other universities. The group will assess these programs and determine if any of their ideas could be integrated into the counseling services offered at UNC. The Executive Branch is very concerned about increasing suicide rates on campus, so Frances is very fortunate to have a chance to serve on this committee. The Task Force plans to release its recommendations by January 2004.
Administrative Activities
Frances, along with her executive assistants, is responsible for maintaining the student government office and ensuring that it is a positive working environment. They have worked with ATN to replace the outdated computers in the Student Government suite, as well as add a duplexer to the printer to help save on paper. Frances communicates frequently with Gina Shoe of ATN to ensure that the computers are all in working order.
She has also worked to add the Executive Branch officers, Student Congress leaders, and the Graduate and Professional Student Federation officers to the University Corporate Time account. With all of the officers using Corporate Time, scheduling has become much more efficient and officers can make better use of their time.
Archiving
After reviewing the files from the past administration, Frances has identified important documents that will be archived in Wilson Library. She is also working with the other Student Government branches to obtain their documents for the archives. In order to facilitate this process in the future, she will also be archiving Tepper administration documents throughout the year rather than all at one time.
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REPORT OF THE STUDENT BODY TREASURER ALEXA KLEYSTEUBER
Student Body Treasurer’s Office
Student Body Treasurer Alexa Kleysteuber began last spring with a lot of organizational work in the office as well an orientation for her Assistant Student Body Treasurers. Alexa spent a great deal of time paying bills and keeping the office running, as there was increased financial activity associated with the transition between the Daum and Tepper Administrations. She also worked to fix the problems with the phone bill payment system and ensure that the system ran as efficiently as possible.
Along with revising the treasurer’s test, Alexa updated the website to feature the most recent version of the Student Code. She also started a new database of certified treasurers, which has been growing every day and has now reached upwards of 50 treasurers. The most time consuming and intricate task when this position began was configuring the access to the SAFO electronic accounting system in order to facilitate the Treasurer’s job of preparing the Congress Report each month. The report summarizes the activity in the accounts of each student organization receiving money from Student Government.
During the summer and into the semester so far, Alexa has worked on many projects that have not only focused on student finances but also on implementing many of the platform goals of the Tepper Administration. She worked intently on completing the student fee request forms, especially Green Energy, which was accepted by the Chancellor’s Committee on Student Fees. Alexa and Matt requested funding for their bike pump proposal, which passed through Congress in the first summer session. Alexa and Lexi Nunn, the Senior Advisor, proposed and agreed upon a contract with the Department of Public Safety to have the Safe Shuttle transportation service up and running from the libraries on the first day of classes. The Executive Branch also received a $5,000 grant in order to fund the Voter Registration Drive as well as committee programs throughout the year. The Treasurer’s Office will be responsible for carrying out the Voter Registration Rewards Program and distributing the payments to each participating student organization. The SBT also implemented a new system for cataloguing and monitoring capital expenditures by student organizations, a duty of the treasurer that has fallen by the wayside in recent years.
Alexa has also been working with Matt Tepper to investigate the possibility of hiring an administrative assistant for the general student government office, Suite 2105. They met with Debbie Horn, Don Luse, and Sarah Jonzack to discuss the various options for creating this position. Negotiations are still underway and they hope to resolve the issue before the next student government administration takes office.
Student Activity Fee Office
SAFO and Student Government are continuing to share office space, a situation that actually fosters close and continual sharing of information between the two offices. A close connection with SAFO has been especially important this year with the significant student fee proposals that originated in Congress. Not only can the SBT be more helpful to treasurers that need help with paperwork, but also expenditures by student organizations can also be more closely monitored for their adherence to regulations in the student code. The SBT and SAFO have also worked closely in orienting new treasurers, and the two offices hosted an Orientation Session at the beginning of the semester to provide people with basic information about check requests and subsequent appropriations.
Student Fee Audit Committee
The Student Fee Audit Committee (SFAC) began meeting regularly after the start of the semester in order to review proposals from different departments and areas of campus asking for increases in student fees for the 2004-2005 school year. The committee has had many meetings to which they invited the administrators behind these proposals, and listened carefully and with much scrutiny to their requests. The Committee was aware that with recent state budget cuts, it must be extremely wary of proposed increases, while at the same time keep the students’ best interests at the forefront of their decisions and recommendations to the Chancellor’s Committee on Student Fees. After the fee process has passed the Chancellor’s Committee, SFAC will continue to meet and focus on auditing student-funded groups in order to assure the validity and efficiency of their missions.
Student Congress
The office of the SBT has had a lot of interaction with Student Congress this year. Both the SBT and Congress are making it a priority this fiscal year to be as responsible as possible with Student Government monies, while at the same time giving student organizations the support they need to sponsor events and programs. One of the major goals this year is to disburse the available funds evenly throughout the year, so as not to have a large stash of unappropriated money at the end of the school year. Students pay their fees year by year, and they expect to reap the benefits of those fees year by year as well. Together, the branches are striving to provide funding for events that will actually be realized, also creating less stagnant unspent money that must simply wait until the end of the fiscal year to revert back into the Student Government Funds. Both branches look forward to next year’s increase in the student activity fee. The extra funds will greatly increase the spending potential of Congress and provide for more opportunities for student groups.
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REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF BEN ADAMS
Voter Registration
Ben has worked closely with Lexi Nunn, Senior Advisor, to coordinate a voter registration drive. This drive consists of two initiatives. The first is the Voter Registration Rewards Program, which the Executive Branch was able to finance due to a grant from the Bentwood Foundation in Tennessee. Through this program, Student Government pledged to pay Clubs and Organizations $0.75 for every registration form they turned in with a student registered in Orange County. The second phase of the drive involves the Executive Branch Cabinet. Each committee was responsible for registering voters either in Polk Place during peak class hours or in Lenoir during dinner time. In addition, they registered voters on two nights at Granville Towers and outside of Players on Senior Night there. Through cabinet’s efforts alone, the Executive Branch registered over 800 students.
Originally, the goal for the drive was 4,000 students, an idealist figure. Upon speaking with Youth Vote and researching registration drives at other Universities, they realized that 2,000 to 3,000 was a much more reasonable, yet still challenging goal. The goal is not only to register people, however. If Student Government can get 2,000 students out to vote, it can have a significant impact on the town council elections, since in most races, it only takes a few thousand votes to get a candidate elected. They want to make sure that all the newly registered students vote in an informed and intelligent fashion.
Therefore, the Executive Branch is coordinating a Candidate Forum on Oct. 28 through which students can learn about the position of each candidate on issues that affect students. They will also coordinate a telethon, calling and emailing everyone who has registered and reminding them to vote. Finally, during No-Excuse Voting at the Morehead Planetarium, which will run from Oct. 20 until Nov. 1, Student Government will set up tables in Polk Place, reminding people to vote and handing out flyers with information on the candidates. Ben is also working with the Chamber of Commerce to coordinate some activities such as a concert and free food to give students a reason to go over to the Planetarium.
Student Leader Summit
Ben collaborated with the Student Life Committee to plan and coordinate the Student Leader Summit. Its goals were threefold. The first goal was to connect student leaders with administrators, allowing both sides to share their thoughts, both good and bad, on the state of the university. Hopefully, administrators got a better sense for student concerns and students had an opportunity to learn what the administration is doing to make the university a better place for students and everyone. The summit featured a panel discussion with Chancellor Moeser, Trustee John Ellison, and Athletic Director Dick Baddour.
The second goal was to provide student leaders with resources and information so that they can lead their organizations more efficiently and effectively. To do this, there were two student presenters. The first was Leia Kelly, former overall chair of Dance Marathon. She spoke about effective leadership, covering things she did and did not do well in her role. The second was John Slain, Attorney General Chief of Staff. He spoke on incorporating honor and integrity into effective leadership. To further aid student leaders, Student Government provided booklets for everyone in attendance. These guides cover everything from reserving a room to planning an event. Hopefully, these will serve as important manuals for student leaders.
The final goal of the event was to thank the many student leaders who have sacrificed so much of their time to make UNC a better place for everyone. The Executive Branch provided dinner for everyone in attendance. It was an excellent opportunity for students to meet other leaders and administrations as well as celebrate their accomplishments.
Student Wish List
Ben has worked extensively with Aimee Wilson, an intern with the Development Office, to create a wish list that can be used to promote student interests as the Carolina First Campaign continues to raise money for the betterment of the University. Ben spoke with around 100 students from a diverse range of departments and organizations to try to achieve some kind of consensus on what improvements would most impact the student experience. This list was unveiled at the Student Leader Summit; however, it will be a fluid list, evolving as projects are completely and new funding needs arise.
Matt will work as much as possible with the Development Office to make sure donors are cognizant of the items on the Wish List when they are deciding how they are going to give their money. The Executive Branch realizes that not everything on the list of ten items will be taken care of, but if any are, the student will be better off than before.
Revitalizing Student Government
This fall, the Executive Branch made a great effort to revitalize Student Government after what felt to have been a few lackluster years. This began with a massive recruitment effort at the beginning of the year. Ben worked to ensure that the Executive Branch had a hugely successful table at Fall Fest that featured a megaphone, candy and slap bracelets. Through Fall Fest and an activity fair at Granville Towers, over 700 people who were interested in Student Government signed up for additional information.
At the Fall Interest Meeting on Sept. 9, which nearly 200 people attended, each committee gave a brief presentation on what their plans were for the year. Following the meeting, Ben received over 180 applications, the most ever, for the 11 Executive Branch committees and placed everyone who attended on a committee. The Tepper Administration has received overwhelming interest and support from the student body, which has translated into an increased ability to improve the student experience at UNC.
Cabinet
One of Ben primary responsibilities as Chief of Staff is working with Cabinet. This year, Ben has taken a team approach by working with Senior Advisor Lexi Nunn to coordinate events. They organized the Cabinet retreat, which was held on Sept. 13 at the Eno River in Durham. Cabinet members spent the morning kayaking with River Dave and the afternoon doing leadership and bonding exercises with Amy Gorely, who works for the Center for Public Service.
The officers have also taken a different approach to cabinet meetings this year. Instead of merely going over what everyone did each week, they usually spend the first half of each meeting with a guest speaker such as Chancellor Moeser or doing an activity like Diversity Training. During the second half of the meeting members usually discuss upcoming activities that different committees are collaborating on. Ben has relied on individual meetings with Committee Chairs to work with them on their projects so that they do no waste everybody’s time by talking about them during cabinet meetings.
Dean of Arts and Sciences Search Committee
Beginning mid-summer, Ben has served on the Dean of Arts and Sciences Search Committee, representing undergraduates. The search is internal and so far they have recruited applicants and have gone about exploring what different groups on campus would like to see in their new Dean through a series of forums and individual meetings. As they begin to receive applications and narrow down the candidate field, Ben will do his best to make sure the new Dean values the undergraduate experience at Carolina and will allocate resources so that undergraduate teaching and other areas affecting undergraduates remains strong.
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REPORT OF THE SENIOR ADVISOR ALEXI NUNN
Voter Registration Drive
During much of the fall semester, Lexi teamed up with Chief of Staff Ben Adams to initiate a campus-wide voter registration drive. Student Government believes that town decisions affect the University and its students, and therefore, wanted as many students to register and vote. Lexi and Ben contacted numerous student organizations, such as Mock Trial, Black Student Movement, Young Democrats, M.A.N.O, sports clubs and many others to get involved. Lexi and Ben also personally visited many group meetings to emphasize the importance of voting.
Lexi and Ben organized a voter registration week during Sept. 29 through Oct. 3. Each Executive Branch committee set up tables at Polk Place during the afternoons to get more students to register. Lexi and Ben also organized Cabinet members to attend the two dining facilities. This last push garnered up more student registrations before the Oct. 10 deadline.
The final week, Oct. 6 to Oct. 10, involved visits to Granville during dinner hours and a visit to the business school during lunch hours. The week ended with a morning and night voter registration finale on Oct. 9. Lexi worked with Ben’s executive assistants to check all forms and send them in to the Board of Elections.
Lexi and Ben have also started to organize a Town Council Candidate Forum. The forum will take place on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The purpose of the forum is to allow students to hear the ideas and proposals by each candidate running for Chapel Hill Town Council. Each candidate was invited to attend.
Lexi also plans to make sure that after registering, students physically go vote. By publicizing the student voting at Morehead Planetarium that occurs before the actual election, Lexi hopes that students will find it easier and more advantageous to vote. Preliminary plans include sending emails and making phone calls to every person that registered through student government’s drive to encourage actual voting.
Lexi is currently organizing a project to survey all of the candidates about important student issues and then publicize their responses to the student body. The survey will analyze what methods the candidates will use to garner student input on town issues, how they feel about the issue of students living off campus, and how much they know about the public transportation system. The responses will be released at the Candidate Forum.
Chancellor’s Task Force for a Better Workplace
Lexi was appointed to the task force as one of three students on the committee. The task force works to maintain a positive work climate, ensure employee satisfaction, and improve general employee relations.
Specifically, Lexi was appointed chair of the Learning subcommittee. The subcommittee meets weekly and its members include representatives from the Friday Center, grounds department and ATN to make certain that many different perspectives are represented. The subcommittee focuses on enhancing the educational opportunities to all employees. The Learning subcommittee will hand in a final report to the chancellor and the head of the employee forum toward the end of November. The report will be divided into short-term, mid-term, and long-term recommendations. Possible ideas include computer literacy, English as a second language tutoring, computer loan programs, extended tuition waivers, educational leave, mentoring programs and various workshops on topics like resume writing.
The subcommittee is also engaged in giving suggestions for a survey that will be sent to University employees. The survey will gather data on exactly what problems and concerns exist and what are the desires and needs of employees. These results will enhance each subcommittee’s brainstorming sessions by providing a focus and some tangible goals to direct our efforts. The survey went out to employees on Oct. 7.
Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor
Matt has appointed Lexi to serve as his liaison to SACC during their monthly meetings with Chancellor Moesor. Lexi will ensure that Matt remains informed about the issues discussed at these meetings.
Students Give “2”
Lexi worked with Professor Jan Yopp and Dean Cole of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication to coordinate a charity-giving day for students on Oct. 15. This idea stems off of the state employee combined campaign that occurs with University employees. Students have never been involved before even though the campaign was widely successful last year with employees. The goal is for students to donate to one of the 949 state charities in the campaign. The charities represent a wide array of interests and overall goals. Lexi designated October 15 as the official student charity day, “Students Give 2.” The slogan urges students to give $2 to any charity they prefer or an undesignated charity. There will be tables in Polk Place with representatives from respective charities and student government members, particularly from the Public Service and Advocacy Committee, on hand to garner support and donations. This event also looks to unite workers and students for a common, worthwhile goal. The overall goal for the campaign for the University is approximately $1 million.
Safe Shuttle
In the beginning of the fall semester, Lexi and Alexa worked with Tim Saunders and the Department of Public Safety to re-establish Safe Shuttle, which provides transportation between midnight and 3 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. After finalizing the contract, Lexi also wrote a letter to Chief Derek Poarch requesting that funding for Safe Shuttle come from an outside source, which could possibly include student fees. If outside funding occurs, the Safety and Security Committee can use its funds to create more innovative programs to ensure student safety. Currently, the committee has approved the funding of the program through its own designated funds.
Committee Supervision
Due to much affiliation with other minority organizations on campus, Lexi oversees the Minority Affairs Committee. Lexi assisted the two co-chairs in the brainstorming, planning and implementing of all activities. Lexi also oversees the Women’s Affairs Committee. Lexi monitored all activities and served as an advisor and mentor to the chairs.
Sports Clubs
After much work with the sports clubs and specifically, the Field Committee, last spring, Lexi continued to serve as a voice and advocate for more field space for sports clubs and intramural teams. Lexi stayed in contact with the Facilities Department and Campus Recreation to ensure that the goals set last spring were implemented and achieved. Recently, Lexi has spoken with the Sports Club Council president about complaints regarding the sodded fields and the increased need for turf. Lexi and the Field Committee will meet in the near future to discuss next steps. Lexi will continue to provide support to campus recreation and its needs.
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Reports of the Executive Assistants
to the Student Body President
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REPORT OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO
STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT GRAHAM LONG
Reducing Costs of Textbooks for Students
Saving students money on textbooks has been one of the top platform issues for the Tepper Administration. Beginning in April, Executive Assistant to the Student Body President Graham Long began an open dialogue with Student Stores Director John Jones and the Student Stores Textbook Department. From several meetings and emails, it became apparent that having professors turn in textbook request forms on time would be the most effective means to saving students money. By returning these forms, it allows Student Stores to know which textbooks will be used for the next semester. This information is critical to Student Stores when purchasing books, especially from students at the end of the semester. When Student Stores knows how many books are needed for the next semester, it allows them to offer up to 50% of the retail price back to students during book buyback at the end of each semester.
Given these facts, Executive Assistant Long worked with Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Robert Shelton and Student Stores Director John Jones to draft a memo to all faculty members explaining the importance of these forms and encourage professors to return them on time (See Press Releases). This memo was sent out Apr. 22 in both hard copy and email form to approximately 3,800 faculty members. Following this memo, there was a 10% increase in the return rate for textbook request forms for the Fall 2003 semester. In effect, this increased the amount of money that students received during buyback at the end of the Spring 2003 semester. Following this memo, Student Stores and Student Government published an ad in the Daily Tar Heel recognizing all professors that returned their request forms on time.
Student Government continued its efforts during the Fall 2003 semester by working with Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Robert Shelton, Faculty Council Chair Judith Wegner, Student Stores Director John Jones, Academic Affairs Chairwoman Jennifer Orr from Student Congress, and Daneen Furr, Chairperson of the Textbook Committee established by Student Congress. This group compiled a new letter that was emailed to all faculty members on Sept. 22, explaining the importance of these forms and reminding them to return textbook request forms for the Spring 2004 semester (See Press Releases). Before releasing the memo, only 4% of textbook request forms had been received by Student Stores. Following the memo, 24% of the forms had been received by the Sept. 26 deadline. While this is a big increase, it is still down from the previous semester with a 34% return rate.
Student Government will continue its efforts to encourage professors to return these forms. This can be seen by the newly created Textbook Committee created by Student Congress. Members of this committee will consist of appointments from Student Body President Matt Tepper, Graduate and Professional Student Federation President Dan Herman, and Student Congress. This committee will be working with the administration, Faculty Council, and Student Stores to explore new ways to encourage the return of textbook forms and look into why the return of these forms has been historically low.
Voter Registration
As part of the Tepper Administration’s efforts to register students to vote, Executive Assistant Long worked with the UNC One Card office to establish a voter registration booth located in their office in the basement of Student Stores. The UNC One Card office is an excellent location for students as well as staff to register to vote. Since its implementation in April 2003, over one hundred students and staff have used the booth to register.
Executive Assistant Long has been working with Chief of Staff Ben Adams and Senior Advisor Alexi Nunn to get student organizations involved with the voter registration drive. Long has been working with Campus Crusade for Christ to register the over 400 members of this organization. An email that included an attached voter registration form was sent out to members of the organization and was collected from members.
Graduate Students
Executive Assistant Long was appointed by President Matt Tepper to serve as a liaison between the undergraduate and graduate branches of Student Government. Long regularly attends Graduate and Professional Student Federation cabinet meetings to understand issues graduate students face and ensure President Tepper is aware of these issues. This position also allows for coordination between the two groups that are working on similar projects that affect all students.
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REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS TO STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT PATRICIA COWLEY, SETH DEARMIN, AND TIM SKENDER
Encouraging Students to Engage in Local Politics
The Executive Assistants to the President were directly involved in the Student Government voter registration drive. To help register voters, they visited campus dining halls, classrooms, and sorority houses. This push will change the nature of local politics by encouraging students to partake in elections, fostering their growth into active citizens beyond the university.
Address Tuition Increases and State Budget Cuts
Teacher shortages, large class sizes, stagnant loans, and multiple tuition increases currently frustrate UNC’s status as the top public university. Patricia, Seth, and Tim have worked in coordination with the Association of Student Governments to highlight the current flaws in the university system through a new project, the Battle for a Better School. They are currently working to collect one hundred narratives from UNC-CH students about this dilemma, as the other UNC schools work towards the same goal. Through publicity efforts including flyers, posters, emails, and local news articles, this team is gathering stories from students to detail how budget cuts and tuition increases are effecting the UNC population. The end result of this ongoing project is meant to serve as a voice for Carolina students to State Legislators in Raleigh.
As a premier public university, UNC should constantly strive to improve itself. In this Battle for a Better School, the Executive Branch hopes to communicate the current situation of the University to the elected officials who decide the allotted budget. After collecting these narratives, the Executive Assistants will help to convey these messages to key campus policymakers. These stories will highlight the personal reality of the funding decisions made about UNC-CH. The narratives will afford student leaders the power to effectively rally to enhance the school for all members.
Earlier this summer, Tim Skender also produced a short film that was sent to state legislators on DVD and video cassette. The purpose of the film was to highlight the impact of budget cuts at UNC. It was modeled after a typical UNC admissions video and opened with comments by Matt Tepper and Rebekah Burford.
Union Bike Pump
Before departing Chapel Hill in the Spring of 2003, efforts were underway to provide an on-campus bike pump accessible to all UNC students. After contacting Scott Hudson, Carolina Union Associate Director of Operations, it was decided that the Bike Pump would be strategically located on the corner of the Carolina Student Union facing South Road. In conjunction with Mr. Hudson, contact was made with UNC Facilities and Grounds and various local retailers to provide for the purchase and installation of the pump itself. As a result of these efforts, the Bike Pump is up and running 24 hours a day for use by UNC students, faculty, and staff.
Past Student Body President Pictures
After collecting past pictures of all UNC Student Body Presidents from 1908 until present, these pictures were scanned into a computer where they will be archived on the Student Government’s Executive Branch webpage. Photographs will also be framed and displayed in Suite 2501B of the Carolina Union.
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Committee Reports
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ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
The Academic Affairs Committee reviews all issues dealing with curricula, professors, student advising, the Registrar’s office, and the dissemination of academic information to students. As part of the Tepper administration, the committee aims to complete projects in areas affecting the academic atmosphere on campus.
Co-Chairs: Matt Calabria and Janaka Lagoo
Latina/Latino Studies Degree Program
During his campaign for Student Body President, Matt Tepper pledged to investigate the possibility of adding new majors and minors where appropriate. After the beginning of the 2003-2004 school year, Academic Affairs became aware that Dr. Maria DeGuzman of the English department was looking into creating a Latina/Latino Studies degree program. Soon thereafter, Matt Calabria sat down with Dr. DeGuzman to discuss the possibility of creating a minor in Latina/o Studies. During the meeting, Dr. DeGuzman explained that she has received significant support from other faculty members who often expressed interest in teaching classes under a degree program of this kind. The main problems discussed in the meeting were departmental logistics and possible problems with funding the program. However, since most of the classes that would be taught under the new degree program already exist, large amounts of additional funding may not be required.
The Academic Affairs Committee is currently engaged in a dialogue with Karen Gil, Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Study, and Tom Tweed, Associate Dean for Academic Curricula, to see if the program would be feasible and fundable. Throughout the month of October, the Academic Affairs Committee will be circulating petitions to students, particularly through student groups, to elicit student support and demonstrate student interest to the administration.
Student Information
Many freshmen have voiced complaints that the University failed to notify them about pertinent academic information. A recurrent criticism from freshmen, despite efforts by advising officials, is the claim that they were unaware First Year Seminars would also be offered in the spring. Other freshmen complained that they were not notified of placement exams (SAT IIs, etc.) before the registration deadline. To solve this, the Academic Affairs Committee has appointed freshman Jonathan Zwart as the new student representative to the First Year Experience Steering Board. This appointment will be used to fix such problems over the course of the coming year.
Online Academic Worksheets
The current degree audit program on Student Central is notoriously erroneous, and the Academic Advising department has received many complaints from students about its inaccuracy. The Academic Affairs Committee is currently lobbying the administration to change this system. Instead of having an inaccurate and high maintenance degree audit system on Student Central, students would be able to access online (pdf) versions of the academic worksheets filled out by their advisors. This action has two effects. First, the academic worksheets are easier to read and will provide clear information to students concerning their academic progress. Second, it encourages students to see their advisors periodically, decreasing the number of problems that arise through lack of communication.
Matt Calabria and Janaka Lagoo have discussed this idea with both Dean Karen Gil and Dean Carolyn Cannon, Associate Dean for Academic Advising.
Professors’ Awards
Matt Tepper’s platform included the pledge to get students more involved in the selection and publicizing of awards to professors. To that effect, Academic Affairs has been working to assign students to the committees that select students for grant awards. One example of this is the Bowman and Gordon Gray Teaching Awards, which select professors for financial grants based on excellence in undergraduate teaching. The grants are to be used to enable professors to teach more effectively or to utilize resources previously beyond their grasp. Academic Affairs has appointed two students on the committee to the Bowman and Gordon Gray Selection Committee. Co-Chairs Janaka Lagoo and Matt Calabria also plan to publicize these teaching awards as well as those bestowed by the Chancellor later this year.
Student Forum on Course Registration
After meeting with Dean Karen Gil on a bi-weekly basis, the plans for a Student Forum on Course Registration are beginning to materialize. The forum would give students a chance to voice their concerns regarding course registration and would focus on the following three areas: course availability, advising, and computer-related issues. The concerns raised would be collected and organized by members of the Academic Affairs Committee and presented to department heads, advising officials, and the Registrar's office. Additionally, members from these three divisions will be present at the actual forum. Student diversity at the forum will be crucial to properly representing the University and voicing concerns. The Academic Affairs Committee plans to solve this by providing extensive publicity to secure a student voice that truly represents the University's population.
Peer Advising System
The Academic Affairs Committee is pursuing the goal to increase the accessibility of advising. To accomplish this objective, peer advising has been identified as a way to improve students’ use of key advising services. Peer advisors would be especially helpful during registration in discussing course choices and in helping others as they plan their college careers. The interaction between students regarding academic issues will also make advising more accessible. The Academic Affairs Committee is beginning to research and evaluate the current program with the hope of reforming and expanding it in the future.
The Immediate Future - Curriculum Review
The new General College curriculum to be implemented in the nearby future has been approved by the faculty, and the administration will be working to make sure the system enjoys a smooth transition from UNC’s current General College curriculum to its new curriculum. The members of the Academic Affairs Committee are researching the current curriculum and will soon begin collecting ideas on areas of concern to expedite this process, to ensure that information about the new curriculum is clearly and accurately presented to students, and to act as a watchdog for problems. The new curriculum was an issue that the Academic Affairs Committee focused on in their recent meeting with Dean Karen Gil on Oct. 10.
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ARTS ADVOCACY
The mission of the Arts Advocacy Committee is to enrich the student arts community by elevating awareness and communication between arts groups and the entire campus. Of particular importance is increasing public art, helping streamline publicity, highlighting funding sources and aiding common needs recommended by campus groups. In short, the committee aims to better enable Student Government to further UNC's vibrant arts community.
Co-Chairs: Rebecca Chasnovitz and Casey Molino Dunn
Arts Carolina
The Arts Advocacy Committee was excited to work with Arts Carolina, UNC’s former arts unifier, and its director, Amy Brannock. When they learned that the administration was considering cutting the program, Co-Chairs Rebecca Chasnovitz and Casey Dunn spent a lot of time and energy this summer trying to save Arts Carolina. Unfortunately, after many meetings with administrators, letter writing and email campaigns, and funding searches, the program was still canceled. The Arts Advocacy Committee is working to help fill the void left by Arts Carolina’s removal.
Public Art
Arts Advocacy has worked on hanging a series of canvas murals on the Rams Head Construction fence. The exhibit will run along the brick walkway from the Morrison Residence Hall to the parking lot by Kenan Field House. The murals will be temporary, on display for approximately three months, at which time their status will be reviewed.
The mural designs will be selected through a contest open to all students, student groups, faculty, staff, and community members. The committee will encourage works that incorporate the larger community – such as an elementary school art class. Canvas and paints will be provided and the murals will be painted offsite, keeping the fence and walkway clean. Arts Advocacy will take full responsibility for the security and upkeep of the murals. The current construction strives to improve campus life in the future. In light of that vision, these murals would enhance the look of our campus during this time of transition.
The committee has worked with a number of groups who have jurisdiction over the construction area in order to gain approval for the mural project. Nancy Bolish, Assistant Director of Student Services at the Union, provided a great resource in suggesting how to go about proposing this project. Likewise, Dr. Bresciani has been quite helpful in encouraging the project through his channels. Now that the project has been officially approved, the Arts Advocacy Committee has moved forward to start advertising the mural contest and begin preparations for actually constructing the murals. They envision this project as a pilot for similar murals throughout campus.
Campus Communication
There is already a separate student organization, the Performing Arts Council (PAC), chaired by one of the committee members, Katherine Melville, that addresses art-related issues on campus. The PAC has addressed some of the original charge of the Arts Advocacy Committee – especially networking and creating a common voice for student run performing arts groups on the lack of performing space. Their hope is that a common voice will have much more impact. The committee has been adding to that voice and is looking into a joint arts group social. This would serve as a networking event between arts groups and could feature presentations on grant writing and the availability of alternative venues such as outdoor space.
Campus Outreach
In order to publicize this new committee, the Chairs have been getting the word out by meeting with campus leaders. While time consuming, this has proven especially helpful in focusing on how they can further their goals and act as advocates for the multitude of campus arts interests. Their meetings have included department and program chairs (Art, Communications, Drama, Music, Center for the Study of the American South) and student organizations such as the Undergraduate Art Association. Furthermore, they’ve been fortunate to have a strong working relationship with the Arts and Entertainment section of The Daily Tar Heel, specifically its editor Nick Parker. Discussions have included how to better advertise arts groups’ events and coverage of arts policy decisions on campus, such as the loss of Arts Carolina.
Arts Advocacy has also been working with the Union Administration, specifically Matt Livengood and Tracey Coppedge, as presenters at the New Greeks’ Conference that has been organized through the Office for Greek Affairs for Oct. 11. Throughout the day, first and second year Greeks attend information sessions on heath issues and campus offerings. This committee has provided an opportunity for the kind of organizational effort that became synonymous with Arts Carolina. Their collaboration will hopefully produce a compilation of informational materials from many campus arts presenters. In the future, this might be especially useful to groups like the Admissions Department and Visitors.
Arts Advocacy Website
The Arts Advocacy website, unc.edu/studgov/arts, has started to act as their calling card. Aamer Abbas, the Student Government webmaster, was instrumental in getting their website online. Information about the committee, its goals and members along with news and an arts opportunities board will hopefully make this a central resource for students. They are particularly excited about the Arts Opportunities Board, currently under construction. Once finished, this will be a source of ways to get involved in the arts around campus. They plan to organize a list where campus performing and visual arts opportunities can be posted. In addition to its function as a traditional callboard, there will be a listing of arts-related volunteer openings, such as calls for ushers. Since a campus calendar already exists, the Arts Advocacy Committee aims to encourage greater use of the calendar by arts groups. This is one way to at least partially ease the strain left by the loss of Arts Carolina.
General Student Government Goals
The committee has worked to include the arts community in some of Student Government’s overarching goals. This included soliciting arts groups' suggestions for the Student Government Wish List that was submitted to University Development. Their major request is that new funds be designated specifically to allow both departmental and student organizations to perform in the renovated Memorial Hall, especially as operating costs could rise with new capabilities and air conditioning. This proposal will definitely emphasize the need for such funds to include sufficient rehearsal time. Likewise, the importance of curricular connections, especially with a department related performance, are quite significant. Both Don Luse, Carolina Union Director, and Jim Ketch, chair of the Music Department, echoed the need for such funding.
Swain Lot Parking Restrictions
The Arts Advocacy Committee worked to address the impact of the Department of Public Safety’s decision to make the Swain Lot a pay lot during most nights and weekends. Not only does this affect patron parking at events, but it has especially been detrimental to Art, Communications, and Music students who use the Hanes Art Center, Swain Hall, and Hill Hall. The parking charge is not only a financial burden to students who must spend large amounts of time in these buildings, often at night, but has left many questioning why such a change was made over the summer. However, through a continued dialogue with the Department of Public Safety, the Tepper Administration was able to at least ease the loading time allowed from 5 to 15 minutes. The Arts Advocacy Committee was charged with gathering student response to the newly gated lot and also sharing the improvements that Student Government was able to make.
Historic Playmakers Theatre
The Arts Advocacy Committee worked in conjunction with Brian Cohen, the event organizer, to help paint and refurbish the Historic Playmakers Theatre in September. They helped to publicize the restoration project among campus groups and they also provided snacks to the workers.
Arts Common
The committee has started to explore how Student Government can foster student input into long term planning for the future of the arts at Carolina. This is especially important with the upcoming realization of the Arts Common. They plan to keep students more informed of the progress and address some of the pitfalls, such as an even greater lack of performance space during construction. Likewise, in an aim to display a student commitment to the project, the Arts Advocacy Committee is exploring the idea of commissioning a piece of public art that would stand in the new space and might highlight the great facilities that are on their way. Similarly, a dialogue needs to continue about how a collective community like the Arts Common can increase interaction and networking within the arts. Certainly a centralized box office and an arts calendar are paramount.
As the campus looks ahead to the Arts Common, the rejuvenation of performing arts facilities on North Campus, starting with the re-opening of Memorial Hall, Carolina is poised to consider how to best present its performing arts programs. This past summer the Chancellor engaged Kenneth Foster of the University of Arizona as a consultant. Casey Dunn was fortunate to meet with Mr. Foster via telephone and will serve as the student representative on the evaluation committee.
Mr. Foster spoke with a large faction of the campus arts community. While the Arts Advocacy Committee has debated how to best gauge student reaction, they found it best to provide the report to student arts leaders without too much of a prompt when sharing copies of the report. This way they could draw their own conclusions. The committee is awaiting their initial feedback. Based on that information, they can then ask more directed questions and perhaps try and get a sense of student consensus. This will better enable Casey Dunn to represent students at the first committee meeting, Monday, Oct. 20. He has also spent a good deal of time talking about the report with many of those who also met with Mr. Foster.
Looking Forward
The Arts Advocacy Committee has been quite fortunate to have an abundance of issues that can be addressed. Likewise, it is extremely encouraging to work in an administration that wants to elevate the arts on campus. The arts (performing, visual and literary) have very strong roots at Carolina. They play a very significant part in the intellectual, economic, social and creative well-being of the campus. The committee is excited to strengthen their link to Student Government.
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BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY
The Business and Technology Committee addresses technological issues that affect the university community as a whole. The committee plans to review and analyze the Carolina Computing Initiative and undertake other projects that educate students on the benefits of using technology in and out of the classroom.
Co-Chairs: Addison Kim and Tyler Ray
Earlier Projects
Since beginning its term in April, the committee has entertained several different technology initiatives. The committee first evaluated the feasibility of installing on all Academic Technology and Network computers. After examining the pros and cons, the co-chairs Addison Kim and Tyler Ray decided to abandon the idea because of potential compatibility issues. The committee also decided to consider alternative course registration systems that would benefit students by reducing the amount of time needed to schedule courses. The committee evaluated several systems in use by other universities and is in the process of collecting additional information.
myUNC Web Portal
Addison Kim met with Lori Casile, Director of Special Projects, and discussed the future of the myUNC web portal. The portal will allow a student to log-on once and access many important sites, such as Student Central and webmail. This should be convenient for students because they will be able to access a variety of sites without multiple log-ins and to personalize their own content. The committee is still working with Casile to develop the site and gain widespread acceptance.
Alternative Vendor for Carolina Computer Initiative
The primary issue that the BT Committee is working on is the Carolina Computing Initiative review. In April, the co-chairs sat down and discussed the current state of the CCI. They decided to consider several possible improvements, which include the acquisition of a second vendor in addition to IBM, enhancing computer training for incoming freshmen, and educating freshmen on alternative options to CCI laptops. Committee Co-Chair Addison Kim met with Steve Jarrell, Vice-Chancellor for Information and Technology, and discussed the past, present, and future course of the CCI. They came to the conclusion that having a second vendor would not be financially sensible.
Having an alternate vendor would double the cost structure for Information and Technology Services, thus it would not be financially feasible. Another vendor would involve maintaining an inventory of parts for the additional models which would significantly escalate the costs for the University and students. In addition, having a second vendor could lead to a lesser efficient repair service at ATN because of machine variability. With all the concerns raised, the committee decided to focus more on reviewing the CCI and educating incoming freshman about the program.
Carolina Computing Initiative Review
Over the course of the Tepper Administration, the BT committee will continue to evaluate campus technology issues and work to implement necessary changes. The committee’s next task is to synthesize the information collected in various CCI review initiatives. Pertinent information from the Office of Institutional Research, a previous Student Congress review, and an internal ATN review will be evaluated and streamlined into a concise report. These recommendations will be submitted to the CCI for improvements and upgrades. This report will encompass the structure and cost-benefits of CCI, the advertising information to freshmen and transfers, user satisfaction, and actual CCI computer usage. The BT committee will continue to evaluate options outside CCI and plans to create a brochure informing freshmen and transfer students of the benefits and disadvantages of CCI computers versus other cheaper models. The BT committee will meet on a regular basis with Steve Jarrell, other IT administrators around campus, and the Faculty IT committee. It will work closely with Lori Casile in developing content and easy access for the myUNC web portal. The BT committee will survey the most-visited sites by students for inclusion in the portal.
Construction Supervision
A new responsibility assigned to the BT Committee is that of monitoring campus construction. Current plans are to examine construction sites to ensure that disruption to students’ routine walks is minimized and that noise pollution remains at low levels during study hours. The BT committee will also represent student input to the administration on proposed new construction sites.
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HUMAN RELATIONS
The Human Relations Committee strives to facilitate communication and collaboration among students, student government, faculty, and administration by developing events and programs that unite all members of the campus community.
Co-Chairs: Anne Phillips and Sang Shin
Student Government Kickball
To kick off the inauguration of the Tepper Administration, the Human Relations Committee organized a kickball game in the quad for all new Executive Branch members. The event served as an opportunity for new members to bond and get to know each other is a comfortable, fun environment. The committee plans to hold several more events like this in the coming months.
Apple Chill
In order to raise interest and awareness about the Executive Branch, the Human Relations Committee organized cabinet members to staff an informational table at Apple Chill in the spring. Many people came up to the table and took flyers about the Executive Branch and its goals for the coming year.
Office Hours in the Pit
The first Student Government Day in the Pit, held Wednesday, Sept. 24, was the first of the monthly efforts coordinated by the Human Relations Committee to “move the office into the Pit” for a day at a time. The goal of this event is to encourage students to come interact with the officers and cabinet members and bring with them suggestions so that Student Government may further reflect the views and wishes of students. Additional Pit Days have been scheduled to further reach this goal. By holding these events in the pit, the Executive Branch demonstrates to the entire student body its commitment in bringing the students’ visions for campus into reality.
Homecoming
The Human Relations Committee organized all of the Executive Branch members to take part in the Homecoming Parade on Oct. 17 by walking in the parade behind wildly decorated cars. This event helped build unity among student organizations and Student Government.
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MINORITY AFFAIRS
The Minority Affairs Committee of Student Government represents the interests of minorities on campus by promoting policies, practices, and programs to improve race relations and the quality of life for all students. The committee works closely with the Office of Minority Affairs, faculty and staff, and student organizations to promote diversity and foster greater interaction between students within the UNC-CH community. The committee also strives to educate and raise awareness of issues affecting and involving minorities to the UNC-CH community as a whole.
Co-Chairs: Erika Barrera and Ankeet Shah
Diversity Training Workshops
The Minority Affairs Committee organized a Diversity Training Workshop for key leaders of various student organizations on Sept. 16. The workshop was designed to educate student leaders about diversity and provide them with resources and information on conducting diversity training within their respective organizations. The workshop was led by Dr. Melva “Cookie” Newsom, Director of Diversity Education and Research at the Office of Minority Affairs. Through discussion and interaction, participants in the workshop examined various stereotypes and learned the importance of diverse perspectives. Finally, student leaders were encouraged to collaborate and work together to co-sponsor events to increase interaction and improve race relations.
Diversity training was also conducted for Student Government’s cabinet members on Sept. 21. Diversity training and education workshops will be extended to faculty and staff members of the university within the remaining academic year.
Sharing the Peace: Dialogues on Diversity
The Minority Affairs Committee plans to support and actively participate in a program sponsored by the Office of Minority Affairs and Starbucks stores within the Triangle. The program is a training and mentoring program for area youth on diversity issues. Selected high school students (students demographically comprised of diverse ethnic minorities, LGBT, religious affiliations, and those committed to diversity issues) would learn how to facilitate a diversity program at their home high schools and at a local Starbucks coffee shops. Additionally, high school students would be matched with a college student mentor, enabling both to work together on various diversity programs and projects.
Nickel and Dimed in North Carolina: A Teach-In with Barbara Ehrenreich
Beginning Sept. 18, members of the Minority Affairs Committee and the Black Student Movement distributed handbills informing students, faculty, and staff of the Nickel and Dimed teach-in from 12 to 2 p.m. on Sept. 23, in front of South Building. At the teach-in, the Minority Affairs Committee united with the Black Student Movement to rally support for under-paid housekeepers working for the university. At the teach-in, numerous housekeepers described unfit working conditions and inadequate salaries.
Housekeepers for Hire
In light of the Sept. 23 Nickel and Dimed teach-in, the Minority Affairs Committee brainstormed a “plan of action” to assist housekeepers with their substandard wage rates. The plan, entitled “Housekeepers for Hire,” will assist the housekeepers at the university by raising funds for a scholarship program. Upon confirmation from faculty and staff, students will be hired to perform small tasks such as cleaning and yardwork for money which in return will go towards the scholarship program. Housekeepers will have to meet pre-determined requirements to be eligible for the scholarship. At the end of the program, an interactive forum with housekeepers, students, faculty, and staff will be held and the recipient of the scholarship will be recognized and awarded.
Monthly Discussion Forums
On the fourth Monday of every month, the Minority Affairs Committee holds a forum to discuss a current issue affecting college students. The forums include issues ranging from affirmative action to Greek life. The purpose of the monthly forums is to educate and bring awareness to areas that might not otherwise be addressed in the classroom or at the lunch table. A knowledgeable five-member panel answers previously arranged questions for 20 to 25 minutes on the particular issue. After the questions are answered, the floor becomes open to the general audience for personal questions or comments.
Lecture Series
Throughout the academic year, the Minority Affairs committee will be inviting renowned guest speakers from around the nation to speak to the university community about prominent issues. In addition, the committee receives many requests from organizations not affiliated with the university to speak to students on various topics. The Minority Affairs Committee evaluates such proposals on a case-by-case basis and determines the support level for each event.
On Oct. 3, Dr. Omar Ali, a visiting scholar at Columbia University's Institute of African American Studies, professor of History, and Director of Research at the Committee for A Unified Independent Party (the country's leading research, strategy and training center for the growing independent political movement), spoke on the role of independent politics in public policy-making. His talk, “Those Who Make the Rules, Rule,” covered such topics as what it means to be an Independent in 2004, how Independents will impact the choice of our next president, and how students can participate in this process.
Minority Affairs Meet & Greet
On Sept. 8, prominent faculty and staff members at UNC-CH with knowledge and experience of diversity issues were invited to meet the co-chairs of the Minority Affairs Committee. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the committee’s mission and goals for the academic year, as well as long-term objectives. The meeting was also designed to encourage collaboration and support of faculty and staff in the committee’s endeavors. Lastly, the meeting served as a networking opportunity for faculty and staff members of various departments.
Peer To Peer (P2P) Interaction
To increase interaction between faculty and staff members and students, members of the Minority Affairs Committee are assigned to faculty or staff members who are committed to diversity. The members meet monthly with their respective “buddy” (of a different background in terms of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual preference, etc.) to openly and informally discuss various issues. This one-on-one interaction allows the student and faculty or staff member to learn from each other through their unique personal experiences. The purpose of this program is to break down age and other cultural barriers while increasing interaction between people of diverse backgrounds. In addition, in an attempt to enhance the quality of life for all members of the university community, faculty and staff members will become more aware of life for students at UNC-CH and vice versa.
External Appointments to Student Organizations
The Minority Affairs Committee will be appointing many of its members to serve as liaisons between the committee and other student organizations. These groups will include the Daily Tar Heel, Campus Y, Masala, Black Student Movement, Asian Students Association, Carolina Hispanic Association, Carolina Indian Circle, GLBTSA, Sangam, and more. The external appointees will explore opportunities for collaboration with their respective organization and the Minority Affairs Committee. At the same time, the appointees will have the opportunity to learn about pertinent issues facing their respective organizations, which will be reported to the committee. The purpose of this program is to strengthen relations between the Minority Affairs Committee and student organizations and to join forces to promote diversity and awareness of issues.
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OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING ASSOCIATION
The Off Campus Housing Association was created under the Matt Tepper Administration platform in order to deal with issues facing UNC students living off campus, such as exorbitant housing costs, inadequate transportation, and poor residential services.
Chair: Morgan Wickizer
Communications
One of the most difficult tasks facing student government and its contact with off campus students is communication. The most efficient way to relay information to off campus students in a noninvasive fashion can only be accomplished on the web. OCHA has undertaken the development of a web portal for off campus students to gain access to information ranging from housing, subletting, and roommate searches to student legal services and off campus activities. OCHA appointed senior Russ Jones to design and develop the site. Although still in its early development phase, OCHA has been in close contact with UNC’s Housing Department and General Counsel regarding placing private information on the site. Although the site is currently up and working, its full functionality should be completed within the semester.
A separate endeavor which OCHA is currently pursuing is free or subsidized off campus internet access. OCHA has contacted Earthlink representatives regarding the issue, although no settlement has been agreed upon and further negotiations will be needed.
Student Transit
During the summer, Wickizer spoke to the Director of Chapel Hill Transit regarding bus routes to high student density residences and available alternate public transportation. OCHA was able to secure schedule changes that mesh more closely with student class scheduling and which serve student travelers more effectively. OCHA will continue to be in close contact with Chapel Hill Transit over the summer months as schedules for the next year are being drafted.
Voter Registration
In keeping with the Tepper Administration’s commitment to increase voter registration among students, OCHA has participated in numerous events designed to offer off campus students access to voter registration. Working in conjunction with the Senior Class, OCHA provided off campus students with the opportunity to register at Senior Bar Night on Oct. 2. The event attracted a large number of off campus students, not just seniors, which enabled OCHA to more effectively target its constituency. OCHA has also solicited voter registrations in the pit. Over the next several months, OCHA intends to host several more voter registration drives in anticipation of the 2004 elections.
Resources
OCHA is in the process of compiling several resources that will be made available both on the web and on campus for students interested in living off campus. They will produce an off campus brochure including information on apartment complexes to facilitate both off campus students looking for housing and education of OCHA committee members regarding available housing for students. Many resources will be provided via the website and will grow as students use the interactive features such as listings for apartments, available sublets, and roommate searches. Also, information on the Good Neighbor Initiative, other pertinent Chapel Hill policies, and other contact information for Student Legal Services will be included on the website.
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PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADVOCACY
The primary goals of the Public Service and Advocacy Committee (PSAC) are to serve as a resource for students to obtain information about outreach projects and to coordinate efforts between multiple service groups on campus and in the community. This year, PSAC will be working on a number of public service initiatives in partnership with the Carolina Center for Public Service, the Campus Y, the Interfaith Council for Social Services, and Duke and NC State University student governments. Another ongoing endeavor of PSAC will be to advocate for environmentally friendly changes on campus.
Co-Chairs: Liz Kistin and Bret Barden
Supporting the Green Energy Campaign
Bret Barden, co-chair of Public Service and Advocacy, has attended Green Energy campaign meetings and established contacts within the Campaign. Larissa Bulla, chair of the Environmental Affairs subcommittee, plans to attend meetings and aid the Campaign throughout its approval process with the Board of Governors.
Volunteer Fair
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, PSAC co-hosted a Volunteer Fair with the Center for Public Service, Campus Y, and Chapel Hill/Carrboro Joint Chambers of Commerce. The event was held in the Pit from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with 36 non-profit agencies from the community present to inform UNC students of volunteer opportunities. PSAC assisted groups with setup and clean up, and had a table to recruit volunteers for upcoming student government projects. The fair worked with Campus Y Pride Week to have Hunger Lunch sell food in the center of the Pit. Special thanks goes to Chad Fogleman from the Center for Public Service for his work in coordinating this event.
STudents REaching Towards CHange (STRETCH) Conference
The STRETCH Conference is a student leadership conference that was started at UNC-CH in the fall of 2002. The focus of the conference is to provide information and leadership training opportunities for public service groups and students at the University. This year, with the help of a grant from the Robertson Foundation, the STRETCH Conference was extended to become a joint project between UNC and Duke. The Friday portion of the conference took place on Sept. 19 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Duke’s Leavy Center and the Saturday sessions were hosted at UNC’s Student Union from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. In total, 65 students from both UNC and Duke participated in the conference. Students were able to participate in a number of workshops related to organizational leadership and public service work. Equally important, students were able to network with groups from their own campuses and from the other campus to collaborate on future projects. PSAC participated in planning and organizing the conference, and volunteered to work during the conference. Special thanks goes to Jessica Loecke, an NC State University graduate student and Center for Public Service Summer Intern, who worked to make this conference a reality and a success.
Project UNC
Project UNC (PUNC) is a day of service run by the Campus Y and held annually at the end of September. The goal of PUNC is to get students and student organizations involved in service on campus and in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community. PSAC aided in publicizing the event during the month of September at all student government events and on all materials distributed by PSAC. PUNC was held on Sept. 27, and was a great success. Special thanks goes to Sanja Bosman, Chair of Project UNC, for all of her amazing work in organizing the event.
Students Give “2”
On Oct. 15, PSAC helped organize a charity day on campus known as “Carolina Students Give Two.” Lexi Nunn, Senior Advisor for Student Government, was the primary contact and organizer for this effort. Carolina students were asked to donate two dollars each to one of the 949 charities in North Carolina. PSAC staffed the event and aided in setup and cleanup.
SPROUT
Bret Barden is currently leading a new initiative known as SPROUT: Students for Poverty Reduction OUTreach. The goal of SPROUT is to register all eligible groundskeepers, housekeepers, maintenance staff, and construction workers for government benefits and inform them of earned income tax credit and volunteer tax assistance. Bret has contacted Jim Boone of the Internal Revenue Service to obtain information about volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) training sessions. He has also met with Wesley Joines, treasurer of the established Student Health OUTreach (SHOUT) program in Chapel Hill, to see how the two groups can work together on the SPROUT project.
Beat Hunger, Beat Everyone!
Student government will be sponsoring several competitive food drives against Duke and North Carolina State University this year to coincide with football and basketball games. Liz Kistin has taken the initiative on this project and has contacted local grocery stores for the first big competition on Nov. 11. The competitions will be co-sponsored with the Campus Y and will include competitions between similar groups at the three schools (e.g. The Black Student Movement will compete against Duke’s Black Student Association). PSAC is working on creating rewards and incentives for such inter-campus participation by campus organizations.
Environmental Affairs
The Environmental Affairs subcommittee is preparing a number of upcoming events centered on education about energy efficiency. Larissa Bulla is currently organizing a presidential forum on Democratic candidates and their stance on the environment, an Earth Day awareness program, and tree planting where construction has affected campus. Also, the Environmental Affairs subcommittee is trying to conduct a study of UNC’s service vehicles and the Chapel Hill transit system in order to implement a more energy efficient program less dependent on gasoline. The final project of the Environmental Affairs subcommittee will be to create a “Return Bulbs for Energy Efficiency” program to promote the use of compact fluorescent bulbs in lamps in student housing. Larissa Bulla is conducting research on grants that would help to fund this initiative, and is working out the calculations as to how much this would save the University in energy costs at the year’s end.
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STUDENT LIFE
The Student Life Committee was created this year by Matt Tepper as an effort to represent and serve the needs of student organizations and clubs. The committee serves as a liaison between the university administration and student leaders, and helps promote interaction among student government and campus organizations as well. Student Life also provides opportunities for clubs to interact with each other and coordinate joint efforts.
Co-Chairs: Sumeet Banker and Andrew Knudsen
Voter Registration
This fall, the Executive Branch initiated a voter registration drive that also doubled as a fundraiser for campus organizations. Because it offered a chance for clubs at the university to earn much-needed funds, Student Life took the opportunity to play an active part in the registration drive. For each student that a club registered as a voter in Orange County, the club earned $0.75. Clubs that took the initiative to venture out into the university community and aggressively register students were able to make a large amount of money.
In early September, Co-Chair Andrew Knudsen met with an oversight committee that was coordinating the voter registration effort. Among the committee members were representatives from student government, the Daily Tar Heel, Young Democrats, Residence Hall Association, and Youth Vote. At the meeting they discussed ways to hold local drives in residence halls and at dining halls, and tried to find ways to register graduate students as well. Youth Vote agreed to provide Student Government with more registration forms.
The Student Life Co-Chairs contacted the presidents of all the campus sports clubs about taking advantage of the voter registration fundraiser. The Co-Chairs offered to come to the team practices to register players and provide forms for the club to use for further registration around campus if they so desired. The committee received responses from about five clubs asking to meet with a representative at practices, and numerous other teams took the initiative on their own to go to the student government office and pick up registration forms to do their own fundraising.
Creation of a Student Organizations Liaison
Student Body President Matt Tepper’s platform included a plan that would make a Student Organizations Liaison a Cabinet-level post. The Student Organizations Liaison would serve as an “intermediary between Student Government, administration, and student organizations on campus.” This Cabinet member’s responsibilities and initiatives would include planning cooperative events held by several organizations and trouble-shooting organizations’ problems.
To accomplish this platform goal, the Student Life Committee has effectively assumed the role of the Student Organizations Liaison. The committee’s primary aim is to promote communication on campus among students, Student Government, faculty, and administration. Ultimately, it is the hope of the committee that similar organizations be able to collectively pool their resources to make a greater, more positive impact on the community. One event that fostered this goal was the Student Leaders Summit.
Student Leader Summit
Sumeet Banker, Co-Chair of the Student Life Committee, began working with Matt Tepper and Chief of Staff Ben Adams to solidify the date, timing, location, and schedule for the event. The Co-Chairs also met with Jon Curtis, administrator in charge of Student Organizations and Affairs, to compile a list of contacts for the prominent organizations on campus. This list was used to circulate formal invitations for the October event to each student leader. RSVPs were sent to Ben Adams to assist in coordinating the size of the event as well as to predict necessary resources.
The first annual Student Leader Summit, sponsored by the Executive Branch, was held on Wednesday, Oct. 15. This two hour event featured presentations from various administrators and campus leaderss. The goal was to create healthy and constructive dialogue between the leaders of student organization and administrators. With money obtained from the Executive Branch treasury and the Carolina Parent’s Office, catered refreshments were secured from Carolina Dining Service for the attendees.
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STUDENT SERVICES
The Student Services Committee works to address the basic concerns of students with regard to facilities, dining, health services, etc. The committee plans to take on several projects that will improve the quality of life of students and the effectiveness of student “services” divisions of the university.
Co-Chairs: Mary Hauser and Joy Kasaaian
Campus Clock Initiative
The Student Services Committee has launched an effort to identify and request repairs on broken clocks on campus. Committee members spent the week of Sept. 28 through Oct. 6 locating broken clocks in academic buildings across campus. Committee member Rebecca Hensley is currently consolidating the list and working to contact facilities personnel in order to have the clocks repaired or reset. The committee plans to address the issue in hopes that the clocks on the list as well as other malfunctioning clocks on campus will be fixed.
Chase Mini-Mart Initiative
In the initial research of important projects concerning the Student Services Committee, it came to the attention of Co-Chair Joy Kasaaian that many students were dissatisfied with the selection of food available at the Chase Mini-Mart on South Campus. The committee has therefore begun an initiative to assess the selection at the Chase Mini-Mart, the suggestions and needs of students regarding the selection, and the possibilities for changes and additions to the selection. Committee members Melissa Vanzant, Lauren Siff, and Lindsay Coomes have taken on the task of developing an email survey to be disseminated among South Campus residents in order to gather opinions on the subject. Committee members Ashley Castevens, Brian Phelps, and Ronda Harding will serve as administrative liaisons on the project, while committee member Stephanie d’Atrie is in the process of collecting price comparison information from local grocery stores and mini-marts. The committee hopes to make effective recommendations that will result in improvements to the Chase Mini-Mart. In addition, given the plans to close the mini-mart in the Chase building, the committee will work towards implementation of its suggestions at the new Ramshead Mini-Mart.
Student Storage Facilities
The Student Services Committee plans to research the possibility of providing storage facilities to students who wish to leave personal items in Chapel Hill during summer vacation or time abroad. The committee has developed a preliminary list of storage options to explore including the following:
• Establishment of open campus space as summer storage
• Discount storage programs at local facilities
• Easy access to local facilities
Disability Services
The Student Services Committee has taken on the goal of assessing disability access to Student Government events. Student Services Co-Chair Mary Hauser has contacted Jim Kessler, Director of Disability Services, to request his suggestions and expertise on how Student Government might better adhere to the theme of Universal Design in its activities.
Theme Housing and Apartment Style Housing
The Student Services Committee has been assigned the task of monitoring the development of apartment style housing on campus as well as the establishment of business school theme housing on South Campus. Mary Hauser, Co-Chair of the committee, has contacted Christopher Payne, Director of the Department of Housing, with regard to these issues.
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TOWN RELATIONS
The Town Relations Committee works to foster better relation between the Executive Branch and the town of Chapel Hill. The Committee communicates directly with the Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and other town policy makers to ensure that the student voice is heard at the town level.
Chairs: Neil Bower and Will Hartye
Connecting with Town Council Members
The Town Relations Committee has spent an extensive amount of time networking with the members of the Chapel Hill Town Council to begin building a better relationship with each member. Specifically, they have increased relations with Mark Kleinschmidt, Bill Strom, Jim Ward, and Pat Evans.
Chamber of Commerce
The Executive Branch has also made a strong effort to reach out to other prominent town groups beyond the Council. Specifically, they have been working closely with the Government Relations Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, which meets every second Wednesday of each month. Student Body Secretary Frances Ferris has served as the main liaison to this group, and other Town Relations representatives have also attended. At the meetings, they have discussed issues such as the bond initiative, the duplex ban, downtown revitalization, and the upcoming town elections. This connection with the Chamber has given Student Government a fresh perspective on town issues beyond those dealt with by the Town Council. The committee hopes that future student leaders will continue to cultivate this bond with the Chamber.
Student Representation on Town Committees
The Town Relations Committee has been working on a proposal that they will give to the Chapel Hill Town Council requesting that the town create permanent student spots on town committees that are relevant to student interests. The proposal will focus on the importance of the student voice in town issues, since our demographic population constitutes a significant portion of the town’s overall population. It will be presented to the Council sometime in November, at which time they will make recommendations about the plan.
The current problem hindering student involvement in town committees is that members are expected to serve for three-year terms. Understandably, it is difficult to find a student who is willing and knowledgeable enough to join one of these committees at the end of their freshman year and follow through on the commitment for the rest of their college experience. Therefore, Student Government is proposing that the town create special one or two-year positions specifically for students on applicable town committees. Though the actual student representatives will change, the student voice and opinion will remain constant.
The plan has been praised by several Chapel Hill Town Council members but the final draft of the proposal is still under edits. The committee is taking extra care to ensure that enough research is conducted to create a solid, credible proposal.
Duplex Ban
Student Government members have begun to meet frequently with the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the Duplex Charrette on Oct. 9. The purpose of the charrette, which was organized by the Chamber, was to educate the community about the problems with duplexes in Chapel Hill and then garner their opinion on the issue. Rather than simply wait to be heard at the meeting, Executive Branch members took a proactive approach to involve themselves in the planning process for the Charrette. These early actions will prove essential in February when the Council is scheduled to reconsider the duplex ban.
Chiller Plant and Cobb Parking Deck Proposal
The Town Relations Committee closely followed developments about this proposal over the summer in order to ensure that Student Government was informed to changes made to the plan. They worked with President Tepper to formulate what stance the Executive Branch would take on the issue. In the end, they decided to support the proposal based on the need for the plant and increased parking options as well as the improvements that would be made to the recreational areas near Cobb. One of Student Government’s platform issues is to advocate for better recreational facilities on campus, and the Cobb plan is directly in line with our goals for improving this facet of the Carolina community.
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WOMENS AFFAIRS
The Women’s Affairs committee increases awareness within the university community about women’s issues by working with campus and community organizations. The committee is divided into two subcommittees: Women’s Leadership and Women’s Health.
Co-Chairs: Leia Kelly and Charlene Wong
Initiate a Women’s Health Campaign to Publicize Women’s Services on Campus
The Women’s Health subcommittee has distributed information to the student body on services available from Student Health Services, focusing especially on services for women. Information on birth control, safe sex, PAP smears, breast self-examinations, and nutrition was distributed in the Pit on Sept. 24 and in Polk Place on Sept. 30. Committee members plan to continue information distribution at all women’s affairs days in the Pit and dorms. Informational fliers will also be posted in women’s restrooms.
Four members of the women’s health subcommittee, Kelly Cecchettini, Caroline Gobble, Gita Madan, and Elizabeth Miller, are focusing on the distribution of information about the Center for Health Student Behaviors (CHSB) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) through an informational forum. The program has been planned for the month of November, and the committee is looking into possible speakers and information sessions to increase women's mental health awareness. Gita has been in touch with Dean Blackburn (coordinator for CHSB), the Director of Women’s Health at Student Health Services, and the eating disorders coordinator for CAPS. Much of her work is focused on raising awareness of emergency contraception available at Student Health Services.
Create a Women’s Board
The committee has created a Women’s Board composed of female campus leaders representing ten major student organizations. The Board will serve as a liaison between Student Government and involved students and will hold one panel discussion per semester. The discussion for the fall is scheduled for Nov. 27. The campus community is invited to attend and direct questions about female leadership and involvement to the student panelists.
Women’s Health
❖ Rape Crisis Prevention and Self-Defense Program
A rape crisis prevention/self-defense program will be presented on Nov. 4 to the campus community. There will be a 30-minute presentation by a speaker from the Orange County Rape Crisis Prevention Center. Following the presentation, SafeSkills ® will give a 45-minute self-defense interactive demonstration.
Committee sub-chair Joe Polich has contacted Cutler Andrews of the Orange County Rape Crisis Center. The speaker from the Rape Crisis Prevention Center will focus on date and acquaintance rape, services provided by Student Health Services, and services provided by UNC Hospitals – including SANE Nurses Program and HIV Prophylaxis.
SafeSkills® presentations are a blend of concepts, defense skills, and discussion that will help students identify the options they can use in preventing an attack. They will learn about the dynamics of assaults, what their verbal or physical options are and how to escape an attack. Unique to the SafeSkills® seminars is a mind-setting exercise that gives students the ability to react quickly and effectively in dangerous situations.
The two speakers, Kathleen Hopwood and Beth Seigler, will demonstrate simple skills and concepts that everyone can learn. Ms. Hopwood and Ms. Seigler have been teaching self-defense programs together since the early 1980s and are nationally recognized for their innovative and effective presentations.
❖ Create Networks Between Community Organizations and Campus Organizations
Committee member Matt Horvath is leading a project to connect existing community organizations and volunteer coordinators with campus groups to facilitate greater efficacy and breadth of campus services.
❖ Promoting Planned Parenthood
The committee plans to work with Planned Parenthood this year to educate students on sexual health and the services that Planned Parenthood offers. Committee member Kelly O’Daniel will head this project.
Women’s Leadership
Create Networks Between Community Organizations and Campus Organizations
The committee created an informational handout with contact information and registration/audition/membership information for major campus organizations to promote female student involvement. The lists were distributed in first-year seminars and around campus to guide new students interested in becoming active on campus.
Examining Women’s Issues and Leadership Roles in Politics
The committee will promote dialogue about women’s issues in politics by holding open forums mediated by professors of related departments. Not only does the committee intend to bring political issues affecting women to the surface for discussion, but it will also promote action with a voter encouragement drive specifically aimed at female students. It will, as with all other committee activities, work closely with female advocacy groups and other campus organizations to facilitate open discussion of major political issues. The committee will also devote resources to educating women on lifestyles, challenges, and paths of female leaders in government.
Calendar of Events Related to Women
The committee will compile a monthly calendar of events relating to women that will be publicly displayed. The calendar will advertise events of other campus organizations and make services not offered by student government available to all. Through regular communication with groups who plan events related to women’s affairs, student government can continue to serve the needs of campus organizations through publicity and promotion.
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Appendices
Tepper Administration Platform
2003-2004
The platform has been colored-coded to
denote the completion status of projects.
Blue: Completed
Purple: Ongoing
Green: Preliminary
Orange: Not yet started
Saving You Money
Tuition
Dean Bresciani, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, has called the tuition issue the greatest challenge that UNC faces in the near future. While there is currently a temporary tuition freeze, this is complex issue currently out of the control of students and even UNC-Chapel Hill’s administration. Thus, students’ hands are largely tied on this issue. However, there are some things that we can do:
- If the maintenance of the University necessitates higher tuition, lobby strongly against the kind of large – and often retroactive – tuition increases that have been used recently.
- Push for money collected from tuition increases to be put toward faculty and teaching assistant salaries, the investments that most directly impact students’ education (see Graduate Students).
- Continually lobby the General Assembly, the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Governors for more university funding in order to prevent the burden from falling so greatly on students’ shoulders.
- Try to ensure that 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need is met.
Student Wish List
To help give donors a better idea of students’ needs, we’ll publish a student wish list. It is easy for the administration to show donors academic areas that need funding, but for those donors who might be more interested in contributing to student life outside the classroom, the student wish list would provide a list of ideas contributed to by students and student organizations on campus. Providing lighting for the soccer fields to benefit club teams, supporting the Black Cultural Center, and other proposals may appeal to potential donors with specific interests that otherwise might not contribute to the University. In essence, the student wish list would provide an attractive complement to the traditional options for University donors.
Higher Book Buyback Prices
It’s tough to bring book prices down because they are controlled by national publishers that continually produce new editions of books to keep prices high. However, we’ll fight to improve book buyback and keep used book prices down.
Student Stores buys back books based on professors’ registration of the books they will be using the following semester. If professors fail to register what books they will be using, Student Stores can’t give students as much money when buying back books at the end of the semester, because they don’t know if they will be able to sell them again at UNC. Right now, only about one third of professors register. This means that Student Stores currently cannot buy back books from students at decent prices. We hope to improve this system by continuing and reinforcing the registration campaign started by the Student Congress Textbook Committee this academic year, which will help Student Stores keep the right books on its shelves and return money to students. Preliminary estimates show that this alone could put tens of thousands of dollars back in students’ pockets annually.
Student Life
Student Storage Facilities
Students who live far from UNC or are studying abroad often find it difficult or costly to store their belongings when they’re not on campus. They’re forced to choose between lugging it all home and paying a company to store it. To help eliminate this inconvenience, we’ll investigate ways to make on- or near-campus storage both easy and affordable. Our administration will research the possibility of contracting with one of the many local storage companies (Door to Door Storage, Lawton Storage, Chapel Hill Self Storage, J M Storage, and others) so that university housing services might offer storage at a reduced rate.
On-Campus Air Pumps for Bicycles
One low-cost way to improve student transportation on campus is to install air pumps for bicycle tires. By putting a station by the Student Union, a convenient place for students to maintain their bikes will exist.
More Help for Eating Disorders
National statistics would suggest that there are many students at UNC who may be silently struggling with eating disorders. We want to aid Student Health Services in distributing information about eating disorders and publicizing the many services they offer through flyer campaigns each semester, the UNC website, and Fall Fest.
Campus Safety
Safe Shuttle Service to Replace Safe Escort
We will research extending P2P services to fill in the gap left by Safe Escort’s removal. To compensate, we would support the current proposal to have a P2P van circulate around campus at fifteen minute intervals from 8pm to 1am and direct Student Government's attention towards ensuring a comprehensive and safe night transportation plan.
Increase and Coordinate Police Patrols
UNC-Chapel Hill has a problem with nighttime crime. In an effort to combat this important problem, we will push for a review of Campus Security patrols and practices after hours. By letting the administration know where student traffic is heaviest and the places students feel they have to avoid for safety reasons, Campus Security, in conjunction with Student Government, should be able to coordinate its efforts to meet students’ needs. Also, we will lobby to have campus police patrols increased after dark for an added security presence.
Sports and Recreation
To make sports and sports facilities more accessible to students and intramural groups on campus, we will:
- Act as a watchdog to make sure the construction is on schedule so that students will recover Ehringhaus Field in 2004.
- Lobby the Development Office for adding lights to the Rainbow Soccer Fields to make them safer and more accessible at night.
- Fight to raise the amount of money intramural and club teams are given. This is especially important for teams that need startup money to hold potentially lucrative competitions at UNC.
- Try to ensure that the new Hooker turf fields are opened on time in 2004.
- Be an advocate for creating the new field on South Campus that is called for in the UNC Master Plan.
- Make sure that Carolina North incorporates new fields into its plan.
On-Campus Living
Housing Initiatives
To help on-campus housing better accommodate students’ interests and preferences, we will collaborate with the Residence Housing Association to:
- Look into expanding theme housing programs at UNC. Carolina already offers some great programs to students, including “living well” housing, language houses, and First Year Initiative housing. However, there are opportunities for more of these programs, such as Business School housing, sports halls, etc.
- Explore the possibility of apartment-style housing being built on campus in the future.
- Encourage construction on South Campus. As new buildings are being constructed, South Campus is becoming the new center of student life, and many services are planning to move south as well (including to the new buildings coming in where the Ramshead parking lot was). Adding services on and close to South Campus should enhance the quality of living for the many students housed there.
Add RHA President to SACC
The Residence Hall Association President deals constantly with issues affecting students that live on campus. We want to put the RHA President, who is elected by students, on the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor, in order to keep the Chancellor informed of residence hall issues from the student perspective and to counsel the committee on issues dealing with on-campus living.
Off-Campus Living
There are three steps that Matt Tepper will take to enhance the off-campus living experience. Matt Tepper will:
- Establish the Off-Campus Housing Association to deal with many of the problems off-campus students face, such as exorbitant housing costs, poor residential services, and inadequate public transportation to campus. This organization will be composed of students who live off-campus and who will be appointed by the Student Body President.
- Foster better relations between the town of Chapel Hill and students. It is important that Student Government take an active role in voicing its opinions in town meetings and getting to know better the governmental leaders in Chapel Hill. This way, when issues like duplex bans come across the desk of the town council, at least Student Government will have a pre-established rapport to help them negotiate.
- Initiate and conduct an off-campus voter registration campaign. The more UNC students that vote, the stronger our voice and the more likely town officials are to accommodate our needs. That’s why we will try to make voter registration forms and rides to the polls accessible both on campus and off campus.
Academic Issues
Expand Student Voice in Curriculum Review
With the General College set to implement new curriculum requirements in 2005, it is important that there be a student voice heard by those deciding on the new curriculum. I already has experience in this area; he was one of five members of the “All Useful Learning” special topic seminar, where he presented his ideas and those of other students to Chancellor James Moeser, Dean Karen Gil, Dr. Laurie McNeil, Dean Peter Coclanis, and other members of the administration and the Educational Policy Committee. In the future, we will work to put students on the committees and subcommittees that will be fine-tuning the new curriculum over the next few years.
Honors Program
The Honors Program received a pledge of support from Chancellor Moeser in his last State of the University Address, and we want to ensure the Chancellor stands by his promise. Like many other programs, the Honors Program has sustained setbacks as a result of the state budget crisis. This has decreased the number and variety of honors courses taught. To try to solve this, we will be a strong advocate for making funding the honors program a high priority.
But that’s not all there is to be done. By providing more social events for honors students and making information for potential honors applicants more available, we will not only help more students take advantage of the program, but make the program more beneficial for the students in it.
Religious Observation Class Exemptions
In the past, there have been many complaints by students that professors did not give excused absences to students who were observing religious holidays. We would fight for regulations allowing students to have excused absences for religious holidays. Students would have to provide verification of observance, but the administration should surely make it possible for students to practice their religions without being penalized in the process.
Special Seminar Offerings
We will press for up to two special seminars per semester, enabling students to have an informed voice on topics that affect them that might otherwise be overlooked. In the past few semesters, Student Government has done a great job of bringing the student voice to the administration by instituting special seminars on challenges facing the University. We will work to continue these seminars, enabling interested students to take an active role in important university decisions.
Publicize Teaching Awards
Students need to send the message to professors that teaching matters to us and that we recognize and appreciate their good work. One easy way we will do this is by publicizing teaching awards through emails and posters informing students of the awards and upcoming award ceremonies. When students get more involved and attend the awards ceremonies to support their favorite professors, the whole University benefits from better student-teacher relations and campus unity.
Adding Majors and Minors
We pledge to support the creation of new majors and minors. There are many potential degree programs, such as an Asian American Studies major or a Studio Art minor that could possibly be offered if enough students are interested.
Expand Distinction Program
Just as the University currently offers students a “distinction in Public Service,” we would push for expanding the program to distinctions in other areas. For instance, if a student is a large contributor to the arts on campus, a distinction in the arts would be a worthy recognition of his/her efforts. This would be a faculty-awarded commendation with clear guidelines.
The Honor Code Revisions
The Faculty Council and Student Congress are expected to pass the revisions to the Student Instrument of Justice within the next month. This includes a new position titled the “Honor System Outreach Coordinator,” who is appointed by the Student Body President. We would make certain that this “student advocate for honor” is a well-respected and efficient expert on the honor code. This will ensure that the student body is properly informed of the new changes and help to create a consciousness of the importance of honor and the honor system in the university setting.
Environment
We wholeheartedly supports the Green Energy Campaign, a long range program that would enable students themselves to decide how environmentally friendly UNC will be in the future. The campaign, which will be voted on by students at the same time as the Student Body President elections, would entail a small student fees increase beginning in 2004 and would enable a student-led and faculty-advised committee to spend the collected money on green energy projects of their choice. One such project would include putting solar panels on the roof of the new science building. This would not only save the University money in the long run, but excess energy could be utilized or sold back to the power company. Student support of this issue is particularly important for two reasons. First, our budget crisis precludes the administration from supporting a project of this nature. Second, students need to demonstrate their commitment to UNC’s environmental future in order to get the attention of the administration.
Advising
Ameliorate Interdepartmental Relations
One of the most significant deficiencies of the advising department of the General College is the lack of adequate collaboration with departmental advisors to answer students’ questions and keep them on the right track. Currently, departmental advisors have little contact with the general advisors in Steele Building. While not all of them feel that they need more communication, some departments have expressed an interest in finding ways to interact more. We would make sure that the Student Government research into this area continues and that Student Government has an active hand in helping advisors communicate with one another across departmental lines.
Put Worksheets on the Web
As it is now, advisors use paper academic worksheets to keep track of students’ progress throughout their undergraduate careers. We want to create a system of online worksheets that would enable advisors to retrieve and update students’ worksheets without having to dig through files. This would decrease the number of advising delays and behind-schedule appointments and allow the advising department to work more efficiently.
Reforming Student Government
Create a CCI Review Committee
To ensure that students get their money's worth out of the Carolina Computing Initiative, and to ensure that the computers Carolina offers are appropriate for students' needs, we would create a CCI Review Committee in the executive branch. This committee would work with the administration, the Student Congress's CCI committee, and ATN representatives to offer the most useful hardware and software packages to students and to make sure that the costs of these laptops are competitive. We also hope to provide the CCI committee with the resources that it needs to support its research into this issue and to help implement subsequent policy recommendations in this matter.
Improve Communication between Student Government and the Board of Trustees
Jen Daum has worked hard to improve communication between students and The Board of Trustees. The Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor now interacts regularly with members of the board, through the new buddy program. I will continue this effort and ensure that the student voice continues to be effectively conveyed to the Board of Trustees.
Study Abroad External Appointment
It’s often difficult for students to get acclimated to the Study Abroad program. There’s a great deal of information to sort through, a lot of forms to fill out, and a number of people to see when one factors in having recommendations written and getting major credit for Study Abroad classes. To ease this process, we want to appoint a student representative to the Study Abroad program that would work with members of the free-standing Study Abroad Office and the UNC administration to make sure that information is presented in a clear way, that the programs offered fit student demands, and that there is as little hassle as possible in the Study Abroad process. The Study Abroad External Appointee could also help publicize study abroad opportunities around campus by organizing forums and sending emails to interested groups (Study Abroad opportunities in France shown to French majors, etc.).
Student Organizations Liaison
We want to create a cabinet-level post that would function as an intermediary between Student Government, the administration, and student organizations on campus. This person, the Student Organizations Liaison, would help plan cooperative events between student groups, such as bringing speakers to campus, and would help troubleshoot organizations’ problems, such as dealing with late money requisitions and University recognition issues.
Working with the Campus Media
We want to create a Media Advisory Board to act as a liaison between the Executive Branch, student organizations, and UNC’s wide array of media sources. This will be a constructive forum where students can compliment as well as express concerns about the coverage of the media on campus. Another way we would try to keep students more informed is by pushing for a weekly campus calendar in the DTH. A third step we would take for all media groups would be to press for a bias workshop for campus writers by UNC journalism professors. This would be a low- or no-cost event held for the direct benefit of all campus publication writers and for the indirect benefit of all UNC students.
Hold Publicized Cabinet Meetings around Campus
To ensure that students have every opportunity to communicate with Student Government, we will do two things. First, we will hold publicized cabinet meetings around campus, so that students with problems or concerns can easily have them heard and addressed. Second, officers in the Tepper administration, including the Student Body President, will hold office hours in the Pit where students can easily talk to their representatives and have their questions answered directly and immediately.
Updated and Extensive Website
We will be sure to keep a more updated and extensive Executive Branch website. It is important for students to know who makes up student government and what it’s doing. Executive appointments and minutes from cabinet meetings will be posted and continually updated, along with upcoming events and important information. This is something that has not always been done in the past but is potentially very useful.
Joint Activities with the Chancellor
Matt will invite and encourage the Chancellor to participate in student activities, attend public events where large numbers of students are present, and have a close relationship with student government. Allowing the Chancellor to see what much of student life is like will foster a better connection with students and the administration and give him a clearer picture of student needs.
External Appointment Review
External appointees are Student Government’s specialists. Appointed individuals are assigned to various specific posts: Student Health Services, Student Stores, Carolina Dining Services, Academic Advising, etc. They quickly become the Executive Branch’s eyes, ears, and representatives to the administration, and so it is important that they be efficient and effective. That’s why we want to review the External Appointments, streamline the system where needed, and investigate extending tenure to some external appointees. Those who have done their job well and have gained experience in their area should have the option of continuing their appointments, rather than the administration having to train replacements each year.
External Relations
Register Students to Vote
Student Government can afford to take a larger – yet nonpartisan – role in local, state, and national politics by conducting or backing voter registration and Get Out the Vote campaigns for students. Specifically, we will:
- Create a new voter registration bounty program at UNC that will offer campus groups a certain amount of money per registration form they turn in the Student Government office. Not only will this increase the amount of students registered to vote, but it will also help campus organizations raise money.
- Act in concert with campus groups to bring many more students to the polls through making voter registration forms, absentee ballots, and rides to the polls more accessible to all students.
Housekeeper Rights Luncheon at Lenoir
To make sure University employees’ needs are met, we will support a Housekeeper Rights Luncheon at Lenoir, where staff members can voice their concerns to the administration and to student leaders. As a result, the RHA, the administration, and Student Government may be able to tackle previously-compartmentalized problems collectively.
Attend Town Council Meetings
It is important the Student Government be kept abreast of what is going on in Chapel Hill Town Council meetings. Issues dealing with student housing and University commerce are of particular interest to students, so we will be sure to make sure a member of student government is present at each meeting.
Communities
Diversity Issues
It is important that Carolina be a place where diversity is embraced, and every student must feel safe and comfortable to learn effectively. That’s why we plan to:
- Restore UNC’s African American cemetery. The cemetery near Cobb is one of UNC’s most historical sites. It was one of America’s earliest African American cemeteries, and is now in dire need of restorations. We would push for a revitalization of this area of campus and make sure that the funds the provost has already pledged to this project are utilized. Moreover, we would fight to have it placed on the UNC website’s list of historic sites, which currently includes sights such as the Old Well, Coker Arboretum, and the Forest Theatre.
- Recruit and retain more minority professors and encourage the role of the Black Faculty Caucus.
- Encourage diverse representation when the University looks for new faculty, staff, and administrators.
- Support diversity training for UNC officials. This would include workshops designed to help faculty members and administrators deal more effectively with issues of race, religion, and sexuality.
- Support projects and programs that decrease racial polarization, especially by independent student organizations on campus like the Black Student Movement.
- Build a strong relationship between the Minority Affairs Committee of student government and the Office of Minority Affairs located in south building.
Women’s Issues
To help make UNC more accessible and receptive to the concerns of women, we will:
- Initiate a Women’s Health Campaign to publicize women’s services on campus and make the women’s health center more accessible. Many women do not know that they have access to an OB-GYN at Student Health Services. We would make sure these options were publicized.
- Create a Women’s Board that would advise Student Government on women’s issues, work with Student Health to publicize services, and plan events in the Pit to distribute information on women’s health.
LGBTQ Issues
Publicizing the LGBTQ Resource Center
The LGBTQ Resource Center will be of no benefit to students unless they are well aware of its presence. We will include information about the LGBTQ Resource Center—as well as the Women’s Center and the Office of Minority Affairs—in C-TOPS packets distributed to all incoming first-years. He will also work with RHA to disseminate information about these groups to the entire on-campus population. Additionally, all students will be helped by updated website, directory, and index information about this student resource.
Bring Back the Q
Many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students refer to themselves as “queer,” yet the “Q” has been dropped from the “LGBTQ” sign in front of the office in the Student Affairs building. We will initiate a discussion on bringing back the “Q.” This may seem trivial, but with use of the word “queer,” which refers to any person questioning his or her sexuality, on the rise, it makes no sense to remove it from a prominent office and risk attaching a negative connotation to the term.
Safe Zone Training
We would strongly encourage members of the executive branch to go through the Safe Zone training offered on campus. Safe Zone training involves a program whereby students, faculty, and staff are trained not only to deal with the pertinent issues LGBTQ individuals face, but also to counsel them on the special challenges that they face in society today. With more people in Student Government qualified to handle diverse challenges facing various groups, the executive branch would be more capable of dealing with the gamut of issues they will face.
Greek Life
Publicize Greek Philanthropy
The Greek community is responsible for some of UNC’s most significant philanthropic programs and events, and it is important to let students know. To this end, we would be sure to publicize the University’s Greek achievements through the Campus Calendar.
Ensure that the Greek Voice is Heard
We would like Greek concerns with the administration to be met, and so we will invite the heads of Greek organizations like the Inter-Fraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council to meet with the Chancellor during meetings of the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor. He would also attend meetings of the Chancellor’s Greek Affairs committee.
The Arts
Since the arts are an integral part of both UNC and the college experience, we will investigate ways to accommodate more public arts projects around campus. More concerts by student bands, more reserved practice space on campus for those bands, more art shows and auctions held in the pit, and other public displays would all enrich the arts at Carolina, and many groups could use help finding theatre space and publicizing their events. We would work to do just that. He would also expand the role of the Public Arts Council to be a voice for all artistic organizations on campus, enabling groups to cooperate and coordinate more effectively.
Disability Services
We pledge to support the concept of Universal Design with regard to Disability Services at UNC. Universal Design is a philosophy that seeks to promote constant consciousness of the needs of persons with disabilities. As Student Body President, Matt will ensure that Student Government sponsored events are fully accessible and be committed to awareness of disability needs in all Student Government undertakings.
Graduate Students
While working closely with the Graduate and Professional Student Federation, we would like to do several things for graduate students:
First, we will be a strong advocate for raising graduate student teaching stipends and increasing the number of private graduate fellowships. This is an important issue: on average, UNC pays graduate students $2000 less for teaching one class than our seventeen peer institutions pay their graduate students. As a result, UNC is losing good teachers and dissuading potentially interested graduate students from coming here, affecting all departments on both undergraduate and graduate levels. We agree with past GPSF President Branson Page that state funds and private money from the Carolina First campaign should be used to pay graduate students more. This may even be the most cost effective method of enriching Carolina’s educational experience currently available to UNC.
Second, we will, in conjunction with the GPSF president, initiate a Workload Review Committee for graduate students. Some TAs find themselves burdened with an enormous workload for the classes they help teach, while others sometimes have less stringent duties. However, the stipends they are paid (which vary by department) do not always coincide with the amount of work they do. This committee would investigate how much work is required for TAs of various classes and urge UNC’s departments to pay them accordingly.
Third, we will look for ways to promote, further develop, and find permanent funding for the Future Faculty Program, which essentially helps new TAs become better teachers. The class clearly enhances the learning experiences of both undergraduates and graduates, allowing both to work together more cohesively.
Fourth, we will support child-care programs for graduate students. The referendum for a new child care program has passed by student vote and is already supported by student fees. To best utilize this new program in accordance with students’ needs, we will do two things. First, he will work with this money and with the Board of Trustees to try to establish a child care drop off center in the new Academic Services Building so that child care is more convenient for graduates. Second, his administration will be sure to carefully review the recent child care survey, look for surfacing problems, and work closely with the GPSF President to tackle them.
Fifth, we will look into ways to reimburse TAs for their out-of-pocket expenses. Right now, TAs have to pay for many teaching resources themselves. For example, TAs in the Romance Language departments must pay for their own chalk. A simple allowance built into departmental budgets to cover such expenses should be easy and would mean a lot to TAs who would otherwise have to pay for many of their materials. A first-rate institution like UNC should never be hard-pressed for resources integral to teaching itself.
With the above measures, Student Government will hopefully make teaching, studying and even parenting easier for graduate students at UNC.
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