SGA’s first 30 days

   In the month since the 2009-2010 USM Student Government Association officers were elected, the Robinson administration has already taken steps to implement policies that will positively affect the student body and battle the speculation that SGA elections are little more than popularity contests.

   To make those changes, Robinson said the SGA is trying to build a better relationship with the student body, show they care and serve students’ needs.
  

   “We would like to think that people pick the leadership of our campus because they really care about our campus, and pick the people that they think will truly serve the needs of the student body,” said SGA President J.R. Robinson in an email response.
  

   The student government is the legislative voice of the student body, and is the means by which student-related policies are carried out and implemented. SGA accomplishes this through an organized structure of five executive offices. These offices are governed by the recently inaugurated SGA executive members: J.R. Robinson, president; Jayson Newell, vice-president; Zoe Beckham, attorney general; Chris Arguedas, elections commissioner and Jessica Hughes, treasurer.
  

   “The first month in office has been a learning experience more than anything,” Robinson said, “We have broken ground on most of my platform points to ensure to the student body that I deliver the things I said was going to do.” 
  

   “The Senate has actually gotten off to a pretty fast pace,” said SGA Vice President Jayson Newell. “In our first meeting we’ve passed five pieces of legislation.”
  

   Most notable of those are arrangements with the Physical Plant and Parking Management to mark areas on campus prone to flooding with signs and highly visible paint, and to change all the light bulbs on campus to compact fluorescents. The remaining three arrangements were to place more trashcans around campus, increase available bicycle parking, and encourage campus uniformity.
  

   Newell said the Flood Zone Parking Proclamation was passed because of flooding complaints that usually follow a heavy rainstorm.
  

   Attorney General Zoe Beckham has begun her version of spring-cleaning the judicial branch of SGA by reinstating a long-absent Supreme Court. Beckham said there has not been a Supreme Court on campus since the 2006-2007 school year.
  

   The courts consist of four justices and one chief justice whose powers allow them to issue injunctions, provide subpoenas for SGA’s public records, and they can also hear and try impeachment cases. Beckham said only three of the five members have been selected so far, but the final two should be instated by October.
  

   Parking education is also a concern for Beckham because many freshmen come to this campus unaware of the parking situation. She plans to educate incoming students on parking rules and policies in a video to be shown during Golden Eagle Welcome Week.
Next semester, students can expect to see an electronic campus map and an “escort” transportation program for students traversing campus late at night.
  

   “Being elected is only half the battle,” Robinson said. “Now we as an SGA have to consistently work hard and accomplish some of the things that we have set out to do. This year SGA will really work hard to make sure that we are serving and leading.”