Showing posts with label SGA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SGA. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

SGA 4/22

8:22 - Last SGA meeting of the year. Will miss u SGA, maybe... idk really.
8:23 - Michael Gass and Bongwater are talking… about emergency texts. a lot of schools have this system but SMCM doesn’t.
8:30 - Andrew Wilhelm is thanking Michael Gass and JAG.
8:30 - We’re finally getting this because it’s cheap now.
8:31 - lost and found won’t go out through this system.
8:34 - JAG is talking about food services and laundry now.
8:35 - We can get the Green Bean back but we’d have to get rid of the Pub’s liquor license. People aren’t drinking enough of the Pub. I’ve never drank at the Pub but I like the novelty of telling people that we serve alcohol on campus idk.
8:36 - Laundry next year is going to be really cool. We’re getting clothes bins in the laundry rooms.
8:39 - FREE LAUNDRY ON CAMPUS ALL YEAR ROUND. get excited. it’s nice that we have free laundry during the school year. No one would do laundry if we had to pay.
8:40 - JAG needs input on paint colors.
8:41 -- We’re actually getting new channels of places on campus. (remember this: https://twitter.com/SMCMLOL/status/435964864788307968)
8:42 -- Evan just told JAG to get back on topic.
8:44 -- Some first year just asked what the Green Bean is. I feel old.
8:46 -- Jonathan Holtzman is calling the new coke machine inefficient and a waste of energy. I think Jonathan cares about this coke machine more than anyone else on campus.
8:48 -- they’re putting artwork in the old upper deck area.. what kind of art?!
8:50 -- Staff will be “repurposed”
8:51 -- Shelby Perkins said that being able to buy alcohol at the Pub makes you feel old in a good way.
8:51 -- “Drink with your Professors” monthly event
8:52 -- Heber says that in the ‘70s, the student union had kegs so people wouldn’t have to go to the Door.
8:55 -- Shelby Perkins voted neigh on the talon grant via she’s wearing her house head.
8:57 -- everyone around me is playing games on their computer.
8:57 -- Luke Land wrote a soft serve bill to buy a soft serve machine.
8:59 -- this soft serve machine is fro-yo capable.
9:00 - Luke reminds the senate that soft serve is healthier than hard ice cream altho I seem to remember that it’s merely less caloric???
9:05 -- bill passes.
9:06 -- Evan is excited for soft serve. Going to miss u Evan.
9:08 -- aww Evan will be there for all of us
9:09 -- Fashion report -- horse paraphernalia.
9:18 -- Everyone laughed when Evan asked for Bill Sokolove’s report.
9:19 -- Shelby, Anuli and Evan are planning May Day.
9:20 -- give Andrew Wilhelm your money at World Carnival.
9:27 -- Ms. Paula from Student Activities is retiring.
9:29 -- Bill Sokolove got the perfect attendance award (it's funny because he never goes to SGA)

Going to miss u liveblogging, thank u "Tom Seahawk" for giving me access to the blog and the twitter and the 'brand'.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

SGA 4/8

8:19 -- Longtime friend of the blog Chip Jackson is here.
8:20 --  Chip Jackson is talking about the tuition decrease. “Bad news” hahahahaa JK.
8:21 -- Out of state tuition will be flat.
8:23 -- New admissions guy Gary Sherman is talking now.
8:24 -- Financial aid will not be decreased as a result of the tuition decrease. All fianancial aid will remain the same.
8:25 -- Tuition decrease was sponsored by Del John Bohanan and Senator Richard Madeleno. Bohanan is the best looking member of the Maryland General Assembly imo and his campaigns generally involve some sort of Natty Boh reference.
8:26 -- There’s no truth that the budget has taken money from the arts and given it to the sciences (via these signs… I saw a comment on Facebook that was an art project and not intentioned to be a factual statement???)
(taken from Elmo Garcia's Facebook)
8:30 -- There are 200 deposited students for the class of 2018 (feel old?? of course you do). This is 59% more than at this time last year.
8:32 -- Joanne Bongwater is here. Talking about renovations.
8:34 -- JAG needs help choosing the colors of the dorms.
8:34 -- They’re expanding the lobbies to make them more inviting.
8:35 -- QA and Dorch are getting air conditioning and all the dorms are getting wifi. “yay”
8:41 -- the dorm bathrooms are getting cubbies. I always thought it was nice and cute when I visited colleges and the bathrooms had these.
8:44 -- Evan forgot the list of the candidates for “Faculty Student Life Award”.
8:45 -- Andrew Wilhelm is working on getting the list.
8:46 -- We tabled a bill to move SGA elections to January or February.. idk why.
8:50  -- Anuli is talking about a bill to change the Programs Board positions, getting rid of the lectures chair, adding a social media chair etc.
8:51 -- Anuli: “as much as it looks like we flawless but”
8:52 -- By-laws amendment passes.
8:53 -- Clay Daneker is getting people to sign his SGA candidate thing in SGA. I feel like there’s something wrong with this but I signed it anyways.
8:53 -- Mary Claire is talking about the budget.
8:59 -- Is this even real money
9:01 -- Budget passed.
9:04 -- Now we’re voting on the faculty-student life award.
9:10 -- Everyone’s just talking about what they know about these professors. Prof Bryd makes his own yogurt and sauerkraut.
9:16 -- We’re struggling with counting.
9:19 -- Anuli is giving the “Shelby Perkins Award” to someone other than Shelby Perkins.
9:20 -- Fashion Report -- “life because I’m still alive (via senior assassins)” and also overalls
9:22 -- Anuli tried to start a clap.
9:26 -- They are no contested elections. Kate Brennan is running for re-election with Jake Wohl. Yi: “Sorry, it’s… not competitive”. Remember democracy???
9:28 -- Andrew Wilhelm has nothing to report.
9:30 -- Luke Land is converting the soft serve resolution into a bill.
9:31 -- Burrito mile is this weekend. Evan will be participating.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

PANIC: SGA President Hates Government Transparency

Recently, Dear Readers, the preeminent SMCM blog has resumed liveblogging the SGA meetings, but now via twitter @SMCMLOL (previously the last liveblogged meeting was in 2012, and the first was in 2008).

But it seems that the current president (hey lets do a quick history lesson of SGA presidents: 07 - keith buzby, 08 - sunny, 09 - justin perry, 10 - ken benjes, 11 - mark snyder, 12 - ???, 13 - katherine brennan) is not fond of these live tweets. She recently sent an email out to the SGA body regarding her views.

Hello all!

I just wanted to remind you guys of a couple things for SGA, it's just basic stuff to keep in mind. 

Just remember to be respectful in Senate and be paying attention and if we could keep side chatter to a minimum that would be awesome.  Last night there was way too much of that and it leads to time being wasted.  
Next thing is about social media, you're in Senate for a reason so if you don't want to be in it don't be wasting your own time on Facebook.  Also whoever is in charge of the SMCMLOL twitter could you please just stop that would be great.  
We only have a couple more months so lets just hang in there.  

Thanks everybody! If you guys have questions about things just let me know. 

Best, 
Kate 
  • "Side Chatter" what r u, a teacher ???
  • The only "time wasted," is the time you ain't wasted (Proverbs 27:17)
  • "could you please just stop that would be great" 
could you please just stop that would be great
could you please just stop
please just stop
just stop
stop

Kate doesn't give a reason to stop. Why does Kate want the live tweeting to stop? Does she not want the student body to know what is going on? Does she not want 507 followers to know what is going on in the Senate? Does she hate government transparency? Is she literally a fascist ???

I mean I can see how it could be a "distraction" but w/e that's the nature of SGA at a small school. I once dated a girl who was the secretary of the UMD SGA. They had political parties, everyone had BlackBerrys, and it was very serious. There was no room for bills banning emails with all capital letter subjects.The SMCM SGA accomplishes a lot. Club funding, gender neutral housing, geothermal heating for the new river center, service trips to Nicaragua, and many other things. Live tweets take the SGA away from something that a student may visit and think of once in their entire career into something that they can connect to, become interested in, and ultimately gain some understanding of. Weekly constituent emails aren't enough (if they even get sent out).

Information is never the enemy. And any liberal arts student should realize that.

These technologies can make life easier, can let us touch people we might not otherwise. These things can profoundly influence life. I'm not downplaying that.  -- Steve Jobs

Saturday, February 22, 2014

SGA Meeting 2/18

These days we cover the SGA meetings a little differently. We are evolving, staying hip, staying 'funky fresh', avoiding staleness (via bread in the great room).

We have discovered the preferred social media platform of the youths, of the urban crowd, of the geeks and nerds of the world.

Twitter.

(which we have had since 2009 #relevant)

But yes these days you can find LIVE UPDATES of the SGA meetings on twitter

@SMCMLOL

#jointheconversation and tell your senators how you feel and what to do

below is a lazy transcript of the last meeting

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

LIVEBLOGGING SGA via TWITTER

huh check us out oooon Twitter 2nite for a SGA livebloggin'

https://twitter.com/SMCMLOL

@SMCMLOL

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Campus Farm is Finally Self-Sustaining

According to terrorist news organization The Point News the campus farm is self-sustaining! Exciting stuff!

I was on SGA when we gave the farm money for its funding (which I think was downplayed in the article, the farm would have failed without SGA funding) and honestly did not believe it would ever be self-sustaining.

I am incredibly proud and impressed with all the hard work of the farm's coordinators and volunteers. Great job guys!!!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Alumni Weekend

Wow yall alumni weekend in like three days...planning on leaving 'twerk' (that is what c00l kids call work) around 2:30 and then getting some 'mexican food' (aka Margaritas #its5oclocksomewhere) with some friends.

Kinda wanted to go to Cerro Grande but....apparently it's been closed


R.I.P. bb ~only the good die...young~

Luckily there are a bunch of new 'mexican' restaurants around these days #phew (more on that another time)

ANYWAY

I got a 'smart phone' now and I've been thinking about 'liveblogging' Alumni Weekend, and I would like some input from yall regarding what I should 'liveblog' about.

Here are some possible ideas:
  • People that I see
  • Interactions with faculty/staff
  • Reviews of the various events
  • Stories from talking with old people
  • A running total of the number of people I see that I have hooked up with 
  • SGA Reunion
  • IDK other things
So hey this weekend there should be a lot of updates or maybe one big update that keeps growing, be sure to check it out when you are recovering from the two-day hangover Monday at 'work'. Or maybe I'll just totally forget. And leave some livebloggin suggestions in the comments kthx.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Alex Walls Speech

Alex Walls gave a speech at the Board of Trustees meeting last Friday.

I don't remember when I first met Alex. I know it was during SGA in the Fall of 2009, but I don't recall the exact circumstances. But within those first few meetings (I know this sounds cliched but it's true) I knew that he would go on to do big things at St. Mary's.

I looked through the archives and pulled out some things I wrote about him over the years on this blog, via memories~

  • "Alex Walls is standing against a wall, I think he is tired of sitting"
  • "Alex Walls now has heat in his bathroom, I totally care"
  • "Alex Walls annoys me"
  • "Why is everyone laughing at Alex Walls :["
  • "Alex Walls said 'piggybacking' take a shot"
  • "Alex Walls just killed a bug"
  • "Gonna abstain from voting on this legislation to annoy Alex Walls"
  • "I bet Alex Walls will be SGA president one day (EDITORS NOTE: ugh so close on this prediction)"
  •  "Becky White just walked in and Alex Walls said "Late as usual""
  • "Alex Walls is eating a banana and it's funny because bananas looks like penises"
See you back on the board one day dude


(video stolen from Dorothy Fisher, idk who she is but I think we follow each other on tumblr)

Monday, April 29, 2013

32.15% of Students are Shitheads

Recently the SGA held a referendum to change the language of the SGA Constitution from gender-specific pronouns to gender-neutral pronouns. Any change to the Constitution must be voted on by the student body #democracy.

What are gender-neutral pronouns? These are pronouns that do not refer to any gender (duh). Traditionally people have used "he" to refer to all people (for example, "Any student that wishes to start a club may do so. He must submit his club proposal by the Sunday before the next meeting") because it's easy and because of patriarchy (probably).


Why does this matter?
  • Using the default "he" to refer to all people reinforces patriarchy
  • Some individuals do not identify with he or she pronouns and do not feel comfortable with gender-specific language in documents such as this
  • This is an easy and obvious way to make the campus more inclusive of all people

Why would someone vote against this?
I don't know. Maybe they are a transphobic sexist shithead. That is the only rationale I can think of for voting against this, as 217 St. Mary's students chose to do. This isn't just "liberal political correctness," it's something that affects people daily. Language is powerful.

This is, obviously, the Freedom of Conscience statue (AKA the Naked Man), dedicated for the 300th anniversary of Maryland. Freedom of Conscience is the ability to view and consider something from point of view of another. Maybe this change doesn't affect you. It doesn't really affect me. But it does affect some people, so try not being an asshole and recognize that fact. That's what a 'liberal arts' education is all about, broadening your horizons and experiencing the world from multiple perspectives.

If you chose to vote against this feel free to explain why in the comments.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Zylak Sacked

Gonna miss u Zylakbro.  Good times.  You were such a dad figure to me...coming around the night of Gala...taking pictures with us...reminding us not to get 'too crazy'.


Sry that the picture is so blurry via I don't have a $1,500 camera that the SGA bought me, unlike some terrorist news organizations.  But there he is...chillin with his bullhorn...posing for photos....gonna miss u dude.

As yall may remember, Zylak took over after the first new Director of Public Safety was revealed to not have the credentials he said he had.  He was a glorified mall cop, I believe.  So then the school went with former Sheriff Zylak.

So, earlier today the new Dean Ifill sent out an email regarding the Zylak removal.  Except Ifill seems to be incompetent when it comes to emails.  It was pretty entertaining.  Here is a transcript:
To the St. Mary's Community:

With the departure of David Zylak as Director of Public Safety, the College will immediately institute a search process for a new director. The search committee, drawn from our faculty, students and staff will be announced when it is confirmed.

I am pleased to announce that Melvin A. (Mac) McClintock will supervise the officers and staff of Public Safety on an interim basis. Mac has provided strong leadership as Assistant Director of Human Resources and as Affirmative Action/EEO Officer in the five years he has been at St. Mary's, following a distinguished 20-year career in the military.

With the assistance of the search committee and the participation of the larger campus community, we hope to appoint a new Director as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Bert Ifill
Interim Dean of Students


From: Ifill, Roberto N
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2012 4:10 PM
To: Mercer, Sally; McClintock, Melvin A
Subject: FW: Draft statement on Campus Safety

Hello, folks. I will delete the reference to a specific timetable, and just need info on the number of years Mac has been here (I think it's been five, but I want to make sure). If there are no other changes, I would like to send this out on all campus mail on Monday afternoon. By the way, how did things go today?

Bert
From: Ifill, Roberto N
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2012 3:57 PM
To: Botzman, Thomas J; Urgo, Joseph
Subject: RE: Draft statement on Campus Safety
Consider it deleted. Mac can fill me in on his length of tenure at St. Mary's. I presume that, if it's good to go, I send it out on Monday?

Bert
From: Botzman, Thomas J
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2012 1:59 PM
To: Ifill, Roberto N
Subject: RE: Draft statement on Campus Safety
I would delete the final bold print. We can hope but probably shouldn’t promise that speed.

From: Ifill, Roberto N
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2012 12:14 PM
To: McClintock, Melvin A; Mercer, Sally
Cc: Urgo, Joseph; Botzman, Thomas J
Subject: Draft statement on Campus Safety

To the St. Mary's Community:

With the departure of David Zylak as Director of Campus Safety, the College will immediately institute a search process for a new director. The search committee, drawn from our faculty, students and staff will be announced when it is confirmed.

I am pleased to announce that Melvin A. (Mac) McClintock will supervise the officers and staff of Campus Safety on an interim basis. Mac has provided strong leadership as Assistant Director of Human Resources and as Affirmative Action/EEO Officer in the (number of) years he has been at St. Mary's, following a distinguished 14-year career in the military.

With the assistance of the search committee and the participation of the larger campus community, we hope to appoint a new Director as soon as possible (by the beginning of the academic year?)

Sincerely,
Bert Ifill
Interim Dean of Students
Okay so what happened was that Ifill sent out the email, along with the draft and discussion about the draft.  I don't know how someone makes this mistake.  And then he sent out the 'EMAIL RECALL' which you see every few months.  I don't think anyone understands the whole 'email recall' thing since...you can't recall an email.  I think it's an 'old people thing'.

Anyway, it doesn't really explain how/why Zylak left, if he was fired/sacked or if he left of his own accord.  He was a pretty chill dude.  Either way we now have yet another Directory of Public Safety!  That makes 4 in 2 years (I think) and soon to be 5 when they find the actual next director.

Also of interest is the July 6 (Friday) email where Ifill asks "By the way, how did things go today?" which I can only assume is referring to the whole sacking of Rich Edgar and Lisa Crowe.  It was sent less than an hour after the email announcing the departure of Rich.  INTERESTING.  Not much else to say about that.

So, another situation where we don't know the whole story, and thus can only speculate.  Here is my theory:

Actually I couldn't think of anything funny.  I'm guessing he left of his own accord.  Maybe he got bored with it, or it wasn't what he was looking for.  I feel like Sheriff and director of Public Safety are two very different jobs.  One deals more with 'law enforcement' and the other with 'college policy enforcement'.  The two have some overlaps, but in one realm having some weed can result in jail, and in the other it results in a slap on the wrist.

Anyway, good luck Zylakbro...gonna miss u and yer cool name.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Water Trampoline Needs an Upgrade

I found this image on Reddit.  I think the Special Carryover Fund should be spent entirely on this monolith.


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

SGA Debated Ability to Grow Weed at the Campus Farm

Apparently at the SGA meeting last night a Senator brought up the topic of growing 'other things' at the Campus Farm besides food.

Other things may have meant flowers.

But it probably meant weed.


<3 u SGA.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

SGA Meeting 3/6

The first time I live blogged an SGA meeting was September 23rd, 2008.  The last time I truly liveblogged an SGA Meeting was April 27th, 2010.

Actually, I would really recommend reading that first liveblog from 2008, there are a lot of things that would end up being major parts of the blog and campus itself like
  • Trays were eventually removed from the Great Room
  • Clubs passing w/o any debate ever
  • My hatred for the Terrorist Newspaper The Point News
  • Stipends for recycling and composting coordinators, which became a big part of my life
  • Club websites, which was another big part of my life
  • And SGA being boring
This will more than likely be the actual final SGA live blogging.  I think this was something that made the blog semi-popular.  People found it interesting because it was kinda funny, provided some useful information about SGA, and wasn't boring.  I hope I enlightened people over the past few years about what SGA is, and how boring it can be sometimes.

8:00 - I arrive and stand awkwardly outside pretending to text.

8:03 - I enter and President Snyder immediately begins talking to me.

8:04 - It's already full and it's only been four minutes, this SGA is good at not being late.  Also only the Vice President and Parliamentarian a sit up front now which is an interesting change.

8:06 - It hath begun.

8:07 - They no longer have nametags for everyone #buschleague

8:08 - Kate does not hit her gavel very hard.

8:10 - Urgo is the guest speaker, he is talking about the Dean of Students position (look forward to a saucy post on that tomorrow) which was recently vacated.  Urgo says it was a 'mutual decision' #IYSS

 8:11 - Urgo is looking pretty.  Also there will be a national search.  NATIONAL SEARCH RETURNS YALL #basedgod

8:12 - Someone says the new Dean should be approachable.  No shit.

8:14 - Mark was just told to speak up, I think he may have a cold/sore throat.  Feel better bb.

8:17 - I think the new Dean should be like the Dean from the Simpsons Bobby Peterson.  IDK if that is possible via (ATTN: anonymous who recently complained about my use of 'via,' lol not gonna stop #sorryimnotsorry) he is a cartoon.

8:19 - Mumby brought up Maggi O'Brien hiding in her office.  I think he confused office with abroad/her winery.

8:20 - Urgo looks thinner I wonder if he has been ~workin out~ #swag

8:21 - More suggestions about the new Dean that are all pretty legitimate but also not things that I am super interested in.

8:22 - What I am interested in is Urgo's hair, I feel like the hairline is more defined and the back part goes lower now.  Anyone care to comment on changes to Urgo's hair?

8:23 - "New Dean should drive a hybrid and be a happy person" #hippie

8:25 - Apparently Student Trustee Maurielle Stewart stole a 'Bugle' from Prez Dingle.  Not sure if she is talking about the instrument or the 'stoner food'.  She alerted me via the twitter (follow me @SMCMLOL for relevant news updates).

8:27 - MHECbro is saying something confusing that I do not understand about Jboard and precedents and blah blah blah

8:29 - "Do you do a criminal background check on candidates?"  I hope not, personally I want our new Dean to be a convicted felon/drug dealer (actually that could rule).

8:31 - Bloggin makes me sleepy.

8:32 - Someone just apologized for being late to SGA #YOLO

8:37 - I think Prez Dingle is tryna establish the point that we should get a Dean who is okay with 'May Day'.

8:41 - Sometimes people ask kinda dumb questions

8:42 - "So in Absalom, Absalom!"  lololol

8:43 - Urgo is done, moving onto Resolution supporting a Living Wage for all Staff Members.

8:46 - Are you fucking kidding me!?!  Terrorist Newspaper Pointless News just posted and article about 'People who hate The Point News' and left me out.  This is bullshit, I've hated The Point News since September of 2008.

8:51 - "We're not trying to attack Urgo with this"

8:52 - What the fuck are you even trying to say, are you trying to imply the staff will beat the Senate up if we don't pass this?  MHECbro I don't understand you.

8:54 - Kelly Schroeder (luv u Kelly) brought up the point that Staff refers not only to Maintenance, Housekeeping, etc. but also to people in Student Affairs etc.

9:00 - "If we are going to pay them more, are they going to work harder?"  oh my god are you serious, #getout.  I don't think you understand what the purpose of a ~Living Wage~ is.  The entire idea is to pay people enough so that they can actually live a good life free of debt.  Get your Ayn Rand bullshit philosophy out of here.

9:02 - Same Rugby bro "Can we get them to start cleaning the bathrooms in the Townhouses" what the hell, hire a maid if you are that lazy

9:06 - Via facebook stalking, profile picture on a boat, Econ major, went to a $13,000 a year private high school, which is literally half of what some of these people are getting paid.  Stop hating poor people, Jesus Christ.  Some fucking Catholic.

9:16 - Resolution passed.

9:17 - Rugbybro "candy machines are always cash only" #firstworldproblems

9:20 - Meeting is wrapping up

9:21 - Meeting over!

Missu SGA

Here is the Agenda for the meeting:

I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of the Agenda
IV. Approval of the Minutes
V. Student Speak-Out
VI. New Business
-President Urgo as guest speaker
-Resolution 04-12S Wage Justice at St. Mary's College of Maryland
VIII. Announcements
IX. Adjournment

BLOG LATER

Thursday, February 16, 2012

SGA Election 2012

SGA Elections!~  Lots of stuffs.

Reighart/White VS. Perkins/Thor.

IDK much about any of the candidates other than Becky.  Becky and I had a fake wedding once (with real cake) so that was fun, she was a pretty good fake wife, but maybe not as good as this one. Also Becky was Senator of the year her first year in the Senate, which is actually a major accomplishment and shows real dedication to the SGA and the ability to create actual legislation that isn't bullshit.

And she was a major driving force for GMSRF (The green St. Mary's revolving loan fund, which funds green initiatives on campus) along with other stuff like reusable to-go boxes.  And I don't mean she just went to meetings and signed stuff, but she actually did a lot of legitimate work on these things.

So that is my experience with one of the candidates, but it doesn't really affect me obv so make your decision, just be sure to vote.

New Constitution!  Some "facts," but first it would appear that President Snyder is trying to remove necessary information from the Constitution!  Sounds like terrorism.


  • Cleanup - IDK I guess some stuff got removed so that it isn't a jumbled mess
  • Removal of MHEC from Exec board.  Not really sure why, or where/how the MHEC representative will interact with the student body, but w/e.  Most people tuned out when the MHEC rep spoke anywayz
  • Director of Campus Programming is now selected by the President+Staff instead of being voted on by the Student Body.  President Snyder wants to remove our ability to vote!  Sounds like terrorism to me.  I thought we fought the Revolutionary War so that we would be able to vote!  Is Mark Snyder a colonial governor, appointed by King George III??? He does live in New England...
  • Actually the above is probably a good change, although probably not a necessary one tbh.  It's never a contested position and the Prez and VP generally find someone that they want to run anyway.  So IDK.
  • MAT students can vote now.  This was attempted a few years ago but not enough people voted.
There are some other changes that President Snyder didn't mention on the Constitution fbook page for some reason
  • The President now serves as the Head of the Student Life Committee.  I don't really understand the need for this change, it seems weird.  I wonder what the rationale was behind this.
  • Removed the ability of the President to call special sessions.  This was never really used, not sure why to remove it though.
  • Removed having the VP solicit committees report to the Senate monthly.  I think Prez Snyder really reduced the amount of reporting at meetings, which cuts down on time.

The funny thing about getting new Constitutions passed is that they usually fail due to lack of voting.  So really the best way to vote against the Constitution when there is an uncontested election is to just not vote (via people are less likely to vote).

Wonder if the new Constitution will pass.

Anyway, go vote yall (or don't idc).

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

PANIC: SGA CRISIS???

Been hearing rumblings of people 'debating' at SGA meetings lately.  Not really sure what it is about via never going to them (anymore...sigh) so I talked to some informants to garner some information.

It seems there are two issues that 'people' are having with the SGA.
  • President Mark Snyder over break wrote up a new constitution over Winter Break (with limited input from the SGA?) which
    1. removes the MHEC (Maryland Higher Education Council) Representative position.  Without discussing it with the current MHEC Rep...
    2. changes the requirements for running for President/Vice President of the SGA that they must be on campus in the Spring Semester if they want to run.
Both of the proposed changes must be voted on of course before the changes go into effect.

RE:  Issue 1:  Apparently (via unsubstantiated rumors [via I didn't go]) the current MHEC-bro Mike Hullett did not know that there was this proposed change until the meeting and got upset and had the SGA table (AKA make everyone wait ANOTHER week to vote on it) the measure. Not really sure why he wants to get rid of the position, or discussed it with the current dude regarding whether or not we should have it. 

RE:  Issue 2:  Some speculation that this is via he does not support the White/Reighart ticket, and did this out of spite (via they are currently abroad, but this would not affect them).  Not all that likely via I don't think he is that silly/childish.  Other more reasonable reason behind it is probably that he feels that the new Prez should be trained.  Regarding Mark Snyder and training, from an anonymous SGA member:  "also, if mark is so concerned about training maybe he should have trained his senate" via the lack of legislation (srsly they need more legislation like this wonderful piece of legislation regarding All Capital Letter Emails).

One anonymous bro said on this issue "I think many talented student leaders who have put in their time at SMCM and took advantage of its great study abroad offerings should not be penalized for going abroad the semester before their term would start. The student body should not have to be managed in this way, we should be trusted enough to give power to any student leader, even those who have decided to study abroad for a semester. We know who can represent us well and those who run for this office take it seriously. Extra regulation like this is completely unnecessary and rather offensive when it seeks to possibly limit the chance of a qualified, well-intentioned student leader to lead the school if the student body so wishes it."

IDK Blog-readers.  What do yall think?  Are people taking SGA too srlsy???

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

SGA Meeting 4/19/2011 Recap

Cool meeting, went on for 2.5 hours and I was pretty sleepy by the end.
  • Today I decided to say ‘present’ instead of ‘here’ during the Roll Call
  • I would like to thank Senator Reighart for passing out the name tags during the meeting
  • Student Speakout
    • Joanna Purich
      • Talking about why we should not raise student fees, led to a long discussion. Senator Chandwaney asked if it was rude to ask her to stop talking, to which we all responded, yes that is rude, please allow her to continue talking.
    • Girl who works at Chick Fil A kinda defending the group via they give out scholarships and such.  
      • Cool to see someone who opposed banning Chick Fil A showing up to voice an unpopular opinion
    • A group of 8 kids saying why we should sever ties with Chick Fil A
      • They mentioned something like ‘putting down human beings, just like you and me’ but I am actually a robot, so I take offense to this comment, assuming that I am a puny human
  • On facebook Lisa Neu said that I was ‘best chair ever’ (via chairing the SGA meetings)
  • Thinking about writing a resolution thanking the class of 2011 exec board for getting 1$ beers at the pub on the 28th of April
  • That bill regarding increasing the time for walking between classes is back up since Senator Chandwaney is here today.  
    • Senator Reighart pointed out that this will affect ‘feeding times’ via we are all farm animals
    • Did not pass
  • Relay for Life Club!  They have done it for two years now and it’s been super successful and cool, so this is a good idea.  
    • I totally knew that Treasurer Smith wanted to say something so I called on him before he raised his hand
    • Yo the two girls presenting this club constitution have cool ass shoes.  Gold Cleopatra sandals and Sperrys.  
      • One of them taught a Zuma class (that weird work out thing that I do not understand) which made me giggle
    • This club passed
  • I want to write a resolution that says ‘Kelly Schroeder is pretty cool’
  • Next is a resolution in support of publicizing bias-based harassment
    • Some kids have been targeted on campus for race, sexual identity, and other things, all of which sucks
    • Senator McGrath admitted that he is a windbag
    • This passed
  • A Bylaws Amendment to put the Club Coordinator on Finance Board.  The reasoning is the Finance Board does funding stuff with clubs, so this would give the Club Coordinator a lot more understanding of what clubs are asking for.
    • Senator White just said ‘freshman’...tisk tisk
    • This passed
  • A Resolution urging the school to sever ties with Chick Fil A
    • So delicious but so homophobic, sigh
    • President Santangelo would in fact not support a resolution forcing people who eat Chick Fil A to go to camps.  I love camp, but I don’t think he was talking about fun camps.
    • Senator Chandwaney said that Starbucks does nothing wrong.  He is incorrect though I feel via Starbucks being anti-union, don’t use fair-trade coffee, also they are hella expensive.
    • President O’Neil just said ‘damn’...SGA is getting into bad language!
    • This passed after much debate
Coooool SGA meeting wooo

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Student Fees Increase

So as yall may know the SGA is tryna increase student fees by $25, from $235 to $260.  I remember when I was a young first year and I didn't know what student fees were I thought they were bullshit.  But they contribute to a bunch of things, including terrorist organizations like The Point News.

Anyway, we're tryna raise them because they have not been raised since 2003 for the purpose of increasing the SGA budget.  They have been raised twice in the past few years for green initiatives that students felt were worth paying more money for.  But since 2003, the operating budget of the SGA has remained the same, despite inflation and other new costs.  These things include:

  • New clubs!  Several new clubs are created every year, and some are hella expensive like Crew and club sports via tournament fees, and other clubs like FUSE like to host cool events and have speakers.
  • Inflation!  Stuff goes up in price over time like
    • Media tech and club sports trainer salaries/fees
    • Movie screening fees
    • Gas prices
    • Prices of goods that clubs buy via SGA funds
    • Costs to bring in speakers
    • etc.
  • Campus farm and bike shop are two things that the SGA is helping to fund, two organizations that students have shown that they feel are important to the campus.
  • Bribing people!
  • The thousands of dollars that Marlena and I funnel from the SGA budget every month, which we spend on hookers and cocaine!
    • This stuff is hella expensive which is a large contributing factor to the student fee increase.
Anyway, please comment with thoughts or responses, and if you have further questions please come to the SGA meeting tonight at 8 in Schaefer 106 where you will be able to ask questions and such.

Also if you want to see the SGA budget it's on the SGA website.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

SGA Meeting 4/12/2011 Recap

Short meeting!


  • There was a resolution to increase the time between classes from 10 minutes to 15 minutes.  The idea is that this would increase civility because people would have more time to talk to each other.  We decided to table this resolution because the person who created it did not show up to the SGA meeting.  I found this quite annoying at the time, but now I think it’s kinda funny/stupid.
  • Senator Walls used the term ‘Gypped’ which I found offensive because it is a derogatory term towards the Gypsies.  It would be like saying “I got Jewed on this deal”.  How can a future Student Trustee use such offensive language?
  • Senator McGrath informed us that someone pooped in a DPC laundry machine.
  • Senator McGrath also rescued a baby duck because he is a god.
  • Said baby duck was apparently adorable.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

SGA Meeting 4/5/2011 Recap

Cool long meeting of the SGA.  Linda Wallace came to talk about Plan B.  You can get Plan B, at cost (soon) in the health center on mondays and tuesdays.  Which is great if you have an accident Sunday night.  But not great if it's on Pint Night.



JAG and Chip Jackson came to talk about the Pub and its inability to serve alcohol.  As you've probably seen in emails, it'll be open Friday and the next three thursdays.  They also still need a new name that isn't "The LQ Eatery."  Also apparently people have been trying to bring in handles of liquor and 30 packs...this is kinda stupid but also really funny that someone would try that.  Like I can see sneaking in a beer or a mixed drink, but those other things are large and hard to hide objects...

Anyway this brings up an interesting discussion of drunkenness at the eatery.  One of the appeals of the late night food option, as it was advertised was us, was a means of providing a safer alternative of obtaining warm food than driving to Sheetz drunk.  But, at the meeting on Tuesday (and in Bayless's email recently) there was discussion of not being inebriated at this venue.  I think there's a difference between showing up to the Pub drunk (which is not it's purpose) and showing up just to the eatery drunk, when you want food but don't want to risk drunk driving.  But this was just my view of how it played out, so feel free to discuss this in the comments.  Obviously, no one should be bringing drinks into the LQ Eatery ever, or acting obnoxious in there.

Then some blah blah blah boring legislation.  Clubs can't send all student emails anymore.  Student fees are going to go up by $25.  SGA wants people to walk with majors (I don't really though).  Budgets for clubs next Fall got passed.

Most importantly, Senator McGrath gave his report in a southern drawl ala True Grit.  ‎"As the Sam & Dave song goes, 'If you've got the lovin', I've got the time. Sub 'student fee meeting' for 'lovin'' here." - Kyle McGrath

Overall a good meeting!