SGA Website and Blog

If you’re looking for the SGA website and blog, you’ll find them both at http://www.ysu.edu/sga. For historical purposes, this blog website will be preserved with all previous posts for the foreseeable future.

Thanks,
Steve

SGA Elections Results (2009-2010 Election)

Elections Results for the Student Government Association for the 2009-2010 academic school year.
The results are listed below:

President and Vice President
Zachary Brown- President
Abbie Twyford- Executive Vice President

Representatives of  the College of Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (STEM)
Anthony Berdis
Marissa Cullen
Madeline D’Orio
Derek DeMaiolo
Lindsay Lipp
Brittany Sujka

Rep. of Graduate Studies
Cassandra Doinoff

Rep. of The Bitonte College of Health and Human Services
Phillip Rauscher

Rep of the Williamson College of Business
Nicholas Meditz
Ken Oyler
Sarah Stafford
Tara Thomas

Rep of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS)
Jack Daugherty
Joni Koneval
William Macomber
Donovan O’Neil
Justin McIntyre

Senator of the Beeghly College of Education
Jacob Rafidi

Senator of CLASS
Gary Davenport

Sorry so late…

10 months into my term, i have finally figured out how to use this blog. I will be updating this weekly… I think. I will be posting my thoughts, SGA’s thoughts (collectively), any news and updates that we feel you should know.

Please take the email that we have sent to you, concerning elections, into consideration. I would encourage any student who has a desire and will to improve his/her campus, playground, home, and school… (that is what i hope YSU means to you). It is my hope that who ever sits in my seat next year can take everything that I and my predicessors have worked for, see it through completion and truely make the difference that SGA has set out to make.

Thanks for reading,

Michael McGiffin, President

The Sea of Red, YSU Red Zone!

In cooperation with the Apple Computer’s Representative and Student Activities red t-shirts bearing a “YSU Red Zone” logo were handed out at YSU’s first home game of the season.  Each person that received a shirt was asked to begin wearing it immediately.

The result was one impressive wall of red on the east-gate bleachers at the South Dakota game and one very impressed University President.

The Red Zone t-shirt idea went stunningly well and I want to thank all the students that came out to support the Penguins as well as those students that wore the shirt. I’m told, unofficially, that we sold out the East-side bleachers–that is quite the accomplishment–especially when the entire bleacher is wearing red.

-Dave

SGA Retreat

After some minor revisions to the Agenda (cutting the ice breakers, activities, members remarks, etc.) we had a great meeting.  Lunch was really good and our speakers Dr. Anderson and Dr. Sweet did a great job.

We debated four issues and ended up passing a budget for the year.  The Legislative assembly also tabled 3 bills/resolutions and sent one bill to the Financial Appropriations Committee for further discussion.

The amount of debate offered at the retreat was wonderful and I believe it is indicative of a good year ahead.

Thanks to those of you that came!

-Dave

City Median Project Update

Ms. Raib, Mr. Detwiler, and Myself attended the ‘public information meeting’ held Monday at 3:00 p.m. in City Hall.  The plans the city had developed were discussed and the community attendance of the meeting was overwhelming.  I was able to spot other concerned students as well as faculty, staff, and administrators intermingled into the crowd.  It pleased me very much to see such interest and involvement from YSU as we begin to solidify our University commitment to make campus a part of what is considered downtown Youngstown.

The plan that was presented was well described and logistically adds two more trees than would have previously been in the area.  Many community members took issue with the creation or lack of parking spaces in West Federal specific to their needs or the needs of their businesses, these people were voicing their opinions somewhat adamantly.  Certain design issues were brought up by many of those that attended affecting a variety of the design aspects.  These included flaws in the diameter of the tree planters versus the damaging effects of salt-infused soil from snow management in the winter.

It is my belief that the overwhelming community response will table the plans to move forward temporarily while the opinions of the community are considered. While I cannot foresee much deviation from the plan as it stands now this is a resounding victory for the Youngstown community.  The City now knows that the Youngstown community desires a more transparent local government that seeks to represent the interests and opinions of its constituents.  This shows the true power of community action to bring citizen’s, businesses, and city officials together in the planning processes for the future of the downtown area.

Lastly, I’d like to thank the City of Youngstown, Mayor Williams, and  Carmen Conglose for bringing the community of Youngstown a very effective, respectful, and informative meeting that sought public opinion in a very well though-out manner.  It is my hope that the quality of this meeting is integrated into future efforts of the city.

-Dave

Our Sympathy and Regret

As many of you now know, Dr. Robert K. Herbert, YSU’s Provost and V.P. for Academic Affairs, passed away over the weekend due to a tragic accident in Costa Rica.  He was vacationing with his family.

SGA offers its sympathies and greatest regrets to the family of Dr. Herbert.  This is a tragic turn of events, one that deeply saddens us.  Dr. Herbert was truly a respectful man and cared deeply for the students of YSU.  He will be sorely missed.

Rock Garden [Full Report]

Below is the finalized report on the Rock Garden:

During the 2006-2007 academic year at Youngstown State University, the Student Government Association turned its attention to the dilapidated state of the Rock Gardens at the Wick-Pollack Inn. A former student brought the garden to the attention of SGA’s former Executive Committee, which investigated the means by which the garden could be reactivated.

The final reactivation plan, created by the Grounds Department, a consultant from Kridler Gardens, and the SGA Executive Committee was finalized in the 2007 spring semester. The reactivation of the garden required cleaning, mulching, and planting the entire garden, and took place over a few weeks. Volunteers from SGA, the student body, the YSU classified staff, and the community participated in the project. The Student Government Association funded the purchase of the annuals, the Kridler garden consultant, and two benches handmade from recycled wood. Support for this project was provided through discounts on both the annuals and the consultant services, which were sold to SGA at half their regular price.

Throughout the duration of this project, volunteers have invested over 100 hours into the reactivation of the garden. The response to Student Government’s work from the campus and the community has been largely positive. Continued restorative work may include reactivating the fountain and repairing the original fence that surrounded the garden. Perennials may be planted this fall semester, as only annuals have been planted in the reactivated garden. Research on the history of the garden is ongoing, and any information or pictures are welcome.

This was penned by Eri Raib and was later edited/added to by Chad Miller.  At the time of this posting the Rock Garden is completely finished in terms of the restoration Chad’s SGA set out to do.  We will be investing in some signs for the garden sometime in the near future as well as looking into coordinating new florals for the Garden come next spring.

-Dave

Physical Therapy DPT

Thursday night WKBN’s 10 p.m. News covered a story about a problem within the Physical Therapy department regarding their DPT program accreditation. After watching the story I became curious and investigated a bit more.

Students unfamiliar with this story can see the initial news report transcript here [via WKBN.com].

I phoned the Provost office first and was forwarded. After being forwarded I was able to discuss the issue, at-length, with Ron Cole–who was interviewed for the segment that aired Thursday night. After this discussion I was sufficiently satisfied with the efforts of the University concerning this issue. It is an unfortunate turn of events, but I don’t think Student Government Association has a bona fide place in resolving further problems regarding the DPT accreditation delay.

Students who want to know more about what was discussed or things that I might have overlooked in my investigation can contact SGA to setup a meeting with me.

-Dave

Upcoming Meeting Schedule, Retreat Info, and Rock Garden Updates galore!

Apologies for the lack of updates, with the 4th of July (Happy 4th) and the immense amount of work to be done in the office I have not been able to commit to making an update for the blog.

The Meeting Schedule for fall/spring is finalized and we’re making room reservations now.  That final calendar with room information and times will be contained in a google-calendar as well as posted in the SGA Case that hangs outside the office.

As for the retreat, I have not set a final date as I’m seeking speakers, deciding on a room, and our refreshment options.  (Strangely refreshment options depend on which room we use (on-campus must use Dining Services) and the room we use depends on which guests and the total number of people attending the retreat.  (Silly right?)  Garunteed this will all be sorted out by the time our applications deadline rolls around July 15th.

The Rock Garden is officially done and will have a banner (if Graphic Services did what they were asked to do) starting Friday to adverties to patrons of the Summer Festival of the Arts and other events.  A full report on the Rock Garden, detailing the work process from start to finish, is being reviewed and revised at the time of this posting.

 Lastly, a friendly reminder that applications for open SGA positions will be closing July 15th, 2007.

 Hope everyone had a great 4th,

-Dave