The Associated Student Government opened their 85th session last week to kick off the spring semester. Aside from committee reports, the senate heard two other speakers.

Rachel McCommon, senior rehabilitation service education major and president of Sigma Alpha Lambda, spoke on behalf of Youth Friends. Emporia State President Michael Shonrock also spoke to the senators on a number of topics, chief among them was recruitment.

“If you’ve got folks out there, I’ll call them,” Shonrock said. “If you want me to send a little letter, I’ll send them a letter. Give me the information so we can personalize this opportunity because this is a great place and we know it in our hearts.”

McCommon spoke to the senators about participating in Youth Friends. Participants would be mentors for preschool and high school students for an hour a week. Students can request certain age groups and certain times in order to better fit themselves into the program.

“It’s more about quality time… being there with them, spending time with them after school,” McCommon said

Senator Luke Drury, legislative director, spoke about Higher Education Day in his report, highlighting three main points that will be addressed in meetings with legislators. The topics were economic returns on investments on higher education, student debt and scholarships and the conceal and carry bill.

“We want to make sure we talk about our vehement opposition to this bill as we feel, as a regents system, that our campuses are safe,” Drury said.

First readings for the meeting included bills for reserve fund requests for Alternative Spring Break, Beta Alpha Psi, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the American College of Sports medicine.

The senate also heard the first reading of a bill for the recognition of the Soccer Club of ESU. The rules were suspended and the bill for Alternative Spring Break was moved to general order.

“We’re trying to promote awareness for the issues with poverty housing. Every year we use Spring Break to go on a trip outside of Kansas, so we can help someone build a house,” said Brooke Schmidt, junior Spanish major and president of Alternative Spring Break.

The bill was to help defer costs of the annual trip the group makes to help build a house with Habitat for Humanity and passed unanimously.

Luke Bohannon

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The Associated Student Government met last Thursday to deliver reports and vote on a series of bills. They also voted on the acceptance of two new RSO’s.

Gary Wyatt, associate dean of sociology also spoke to the senators about undergraduate advising. In particular, Wyatt focused on the subject of the ESU website and its current student section. Wyatt said that he hoped to work with the senate in order to make the site more accessible and easy to use for students.

“We want to have a current student website where you click on it and what comes up is information that’s going to be very useful and accessible for students,” Wyatt said.

The Episcopalian Campus Ministry of Emporia State University was voted in as a new RSO. The group brought five people as representation. Most questions directed to the group were answered by Kira Pearc, senior elementary education major, and Michelle Petty, senior sociology major

Pearc said that the organization has three weekly events – a Wednesday night service followed by a meal, a “hang-out time” on Saturday and finally, a book study on Monday nights.

“Anyone can join the group, it’s really a place that we want to make here, a very hospitable place and to be able to come together as students, have a meal together, have fun, and also be able to discuss religious topics,” Pearc said.

The Soccer Club, which was represented by Oladipo Olaonipekun, freshman information systems major, was also voted in as a new RSO.

“(We’re) basically just trying to try to get together and compete with other schools outside Emporia,” Olaonipekun said.

The senate also approved a bill for a reserve fund request for Up ‘til Dawn, an organization that helps raise money for St. Jude’s Hospital. Up ‘til Dawn was represented by Jaymie Hardtarfer, senior business administration and Spanish major. The funds requested would help fund a trip to St. Jude’s Hospital for the group’s executive board.

“Not only does it bring back the motivation for our executive board to instill motivation in the students we recruit, but it really gives us an increased knowledge of what St. Jude does and what the money that we’re raising is going to,” Hardtarfer said about the trip.

The next ASG meeting will be a 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the Kanza Room of the Memorial Union.

Luke Bohannon

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The Associated Student Government met yesterday to vote on two new RSO’s and inducted two new senators.

Sarah Morrison, senior elementary and secondary education major, and Marcus Hix, sophomore political science major and sports editor for The Bulletin, are ASG’s newest members.

Senator Luke Drury delivered a report detailing a trip where he spoke with the Kansas Board of Regents regarding certain legislation, including a “Conceal and Carry” bill that would require metal detectors at entrances on campus. Drury said that other regents schools reported that they did not feel the bill was a good idea and that he agreed.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve sat in a class and really felt unsafe, so we don’t think it’s an issue,” Drury said.

Interim President H. Edward Flentje also spoke at the meeting. Following his statements, Flentje took questions from the senators.

“How the university relates to the community is critical to, I think, the university’s future and the community’s future,” Flentje said.

Flentje also said that he thought that recruitment turnaround was the biggest challenge facing ESU.

The National Association for Music Education requested funds for a regional conference as well as printing and publication for other annual events. The second was Up ‘til Dawn requested funds for trip to Memphis, Tenn. for a national conference, as well as for printing and publicity. The senate voted to grant the request for MENC, but the bill for Up ‘til Dawn was tabled.

ASG also voted to rescind several student organizations for not fulfilling requirements, including inadequate membership. The list included the Towers Complex Government; RA council; Graduate Student Advisory Board Committee; College Republicans; and the International Club.

The College Entrepreneur Organization was officially recognized as an RSO. Yeh Jeong, senior marketing major, represented the organization, which is intended to supply students with real-world business experience by working with local businesses as well as teaching them about marketing and finances, Jeong said.

The Multicultural Freshman Action Team was also approved as an RSO, which was represented by Brianna Byers, junior sociology major.

“It’s kind of like Big Brothers, Big Sisters,” Byers said.

The group’s mission statement says that the main goal of the organization is to help incoming freshmen to take steps in the right direction to make their first year the best academically, socially and personally.

The next ASG meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Oct. 6 in Webb 2 Lecture Hall.

Luke Bohannon

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Rob Catlett, professor of economics, and John Barnett, political science professor, speak with one another after answering questions from the panel during Constitution Day last Thursday. Julie Thephachan/The Bulletin

In honor of Constitution Day, the Associated Student Government hosted a celebration last Thursday night in Webb Lecture Hall.

“Constitution Day is an observance of the Constitution,” said Mike Freeland, senior digital audio major. “We reflect on what it has done for us, what its future is, what its purpose is.”

Luke Drury, legislative director of ASG and junior political science major, said a video clip made by Zoiks, Emporia State’s improvisational comedy group, was shown to depict constitutional conventions in a satirical fashion.

Another clip from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart addressed potential changes the American government could make to improve the Constitution.

“The mission behind Constitution Day is to get students involved in campus, and second of all, get them to understand the Constitution by putting it in a way that is funny with a little bit of satire,” Drury said. “When a lot of people hear Associated Student Government or Constitution, they think dry and boring, so we are trying to change that.”

Phil Kelly, associate professor of political science and pre-law adviser, said the Constitution is a contract which establishes the structures of the government and provides protective regulations for minorities.

According to the Library of Congress’ website, Constitution Day is observed each year on Sept. 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution in 1787.

Although the document was honored during the event, some attendees questioned the credibility of the Constitution during modern times.

“The Constitution should be changed,” Kelly said. “We really need to have the government do things, but the government is paralyzed…it is a problem within our Constitution and possibly within our political culture.”

But other ESU students and faculty had different opinions.

“The constitution was vague in the beginning so it could be translated to modern times,” Freeland said. “It stands well on its own.”

John Barnett, assistant professor of political science, said the Constitution is appropriate for changing times.

“The Constitution works beautifully,” Barnett said. “It is the rules within government that need to be modified. The Constitution is a living doctrine.”

During the event, Barnett, Kelly and Rob Catlett, associate professor of economics, defined the government and debated on the roles and limits of the government.

“I define the government as a democracy – it demands participation,” Barnett said.

Controversial issues, such as health care, taxation and the social class system in America were also discussed.

Simone Cosper

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Faculty Senate President Kevin Johnson speaks to ASG about his desire to work closely with the organization this year. The first meeting was held last Thursday in Webb Lecture Hall. 1Jon Coffey/The Bulletin

The Associated Student Government met last Thursday to begin working on plans for the new semester as well as to swear in new senators. Faculty Senate President Kevin Johnson also spoke at the meeting.

“Unless you take this time to care…nothing is going to get better,” said Ashley Vogts, senior occupational therapy major and ASG president in her remarks to the senators, “so that is why it’s up to us to make sure student voices are heard, actions are taken and that student life here at ESU is the best that it can be.”

Fifteen new senators were sworn in – seven were elected and eight were appointees who were voted on by the senate. Following the swearing in of the senators and remarks from the president and vice-president of ASG, committee reports were given by various senators.

Johnson spoke after the committee reports were given and expressed his desire to work closely with ASG through shared governance.

“Shared governance is something that is important to me,” Johnson said. “It’s our chance to participate in decisions and discussions and debate perhaps…as to what’s happening here on campus.”

Among the topics discussed during the committee reports were fund-raising and public relations. “Can the Bods” and the ASG homecoming t-shirt sale were two fundraisers that were brought up during junior secondary education major and campus and community relations chair Maria Zuniga’s report.

“Can the Bods” will take place from Oct. 1-Nov 1. She also said that the ASG homecoming shirts will be sold at football games as well as in the Memorial Union and the William Allen White Library.

The Big Event, an annual service event hosted by ASG, Community Hornets and the United Way, was also discussed during the senate meeting. For this year’s event, students can sign up to go to Reading to help rebuild the community. Reading was hit by a tornado this summer.

Christian Keisler, junior communications major and public affairs director, also has plans to reach out to students and the community.

“Right now what we’re working on is an electronic activities board,” Keisler said. “It’ll show what’s going on, sporting events, activities on campus. Something to let the public know.”

Social networking, Keisler said, is also something he will focus on, using sites such as Facebook and Twitter in order to better connect with students.

 Keisler has also been meeting with city officials including Casey Woods, director of Emporia Main Street, Kevin Nelson, mayor of Emporia, and Jim Kessler, city commissioner, in order to facilitate stronger community ties.

Luke Bohannon

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The Associated Student Government approved The Bulletin’s request for a five-percent increase in funding for the 2011-2012 school year, requiring the fees for fulltime students to increase from $9.12 to $9.58 per student. For part-time students, the fee will rise from $1.29 to $1.35 per student.

Kelsey Ryan, editor-in-chief of The Bulletin, cited rising printing costs and a significant loss in national advertising revenue as the main causes for the funding increase.

The request was approved on March 17 in the Main Street of the Memorial Union during ASG’s line item hearing.

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The Associated Student Government met last Thursday to discuss the Can the ‘Bods canned food drive and to approve two new Recognized Student Organizations, the Student Veterans Association of ESU and Alternative Spring Break. They also approved funding for different RSOs.

Chris Rea, clinical psychology graduate student, spoke for the SVA in the meeting. He said he hoped that the group would be able to provide outreach for veterans transitioning back into the school setting.

“I want it to be kind of a networking tool… I really just want it to be a place they can come to when they come home,” Rea said.

Rea said that he hopes the RSO can pair with the VFW and the American Legion to “bridge the gap” between this generation of veterans and the previous generation and also to work on the Veteran’s Day Parade.

Alternative Spring Break was also granted RSO status and was represented by Lainie Harber, senior communications major, who hopes the organization can do more than just the Habitat for Humanity project over Spring Break.

“I would like to see service be an even bigger part of the ESU campus,” Harber said.

Harber said that by becoming an RSO, the ASB program can solidify and last through the coming years and spread the name of ESU.

The student chapter of the United States Institute for Theater Technology requested funds for travel to a USITT conference for networking in the theater technology field and provides opportunities for students to find internships.

“We can bring back knowledge that we can share with our peers, and we can bring back new ideas,” said Josh Taylor, junior theater major and representative of USITT.

The Can the ‘Bods food drive had raised around $270 as of last Thursday, said Jonathan Rivers, senior social science secondary education major and president of ASG. He said he was excited for the continued efforts of the fundraiser.

Rivers also said that Higher Education day went very well and the school was met with much support for the budget.

Ashley McCullough, senior communications major and vice president of ASG, urged everyone to spread the word about the canned food drive.

Charlie Heptas

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Faculty Senate President Joella Mehroff speaks with ASG about forming a closer working relationship with the Faculty Senate Thursday afternoon in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

Associated Student Government held their second meeting of the year last Thursday in the Memorial Union Ballroom. President of ASG and senior social sciences major Jonathan Rivers opened the meeting and gave his remarks before committee reports proceeded.

Faculty Senate President JoellaMehrhof attended the meeting and talked about some things the faculty discussed at their meeting. Mehrhof said she plans to visit future meetings as well, putting an emphasis on a “goal of connecting” the faculty and students.

The student senate had their first reading of Senate Bill 10002, Recognition of the Korean Student Association as student organization. Senators voted and passed the bill unanimously (19-0), which would make the group an RSO. Rivers said the group had been an RSO until they were rescinded last school year. Rivers said he wasn’t sure why the group’s recognition was taken away.

“It could have been any number of reasons, we might just have not had their contact information up to date or they didn’t turn in their service hours, I’m not completely sure,” Rivers said.

Bo Moddelmog, sophomore political science major and senate operations chair, said after the senate approved the bill, Rivers and ASG vice president Ashley McCullough signed it, and now President Michael Lane has to sign it before the group is officially recognized as a student organization.

“Usually with RSOs and stuff he signs it, so then they will be an active RSO, but we consider them one now,” Moddelmog said.

BoRam Shin, senior music education major and president of the Korean Student Association, said the group is different from other student groups in that they don’t really have recruitment. She said Korean students know to come to the meetings and events, which she said are pretty irregular.

“We have some meetings just for hanging out with all of the Koreans and stuff. We have big meetings like twice a semester, we don’t really gather together always like some activities,” Shin said.

Rivers said the benefits of a group becoming an RSO are getting to check out rooms for meetings, usage of projectors for meetings, usage of catering services and most importantly, funding. Moddelmog said RSOs have the advantage of recruiting at the Huge Activities Fair every fall.

“You’ll be a recognized student organization, so you can recruit that way and you can have trips or have speakers, so now they have the ability to get money to do stuff through ASG,” Moddelmog said.

Shin said her goals for the group include finding students who are interested in learning Korean and giving them an opportunity to learn from group members.

“We wonder if there are students interested in learning Korean, we tried to get some, not just Americans, just all students who don’t speak Korean but who are interested in learning Korean,” Shin said.

Rivers said at the next meeting, the group will be able to show ASG what their organization is about during general order. He said he is excited to see what the group has to bring.

“We’re really excited about it because we want the international students coming together, forming RSOs and doing community service,” Rivers said.

The ASG meeting wrapped up with a vote on revising the student senate committee structure, ratification of the student senate attendance policy and announcements for the good of the university.

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In an effort to better serve the student body, Associated Student Government has begun to execute several major changes for ESU students this year.

“We have begun implementing these changes. And they will go throughout all this year,” said Ashley McCullough, senior communication major and vice president of ASG.

ASG changes for this year include increasing campus and community outreach, providing additional forms of open communication and updates, creating and modifying specific senators’ roles, adding a Public Affairs Director and merging University Affairs & Student Rights and Special Projects Committees into one new Campus & Community Relations committee, among other things.

ASG created and modified specific senators’ roles by setting up a Multicultural Affairs Liaison and International Affairs Liaison to insure that the needs of these two student populations are being meet.

“I think our biggest change should be the International Affairs Liaison. It will help us to outreach to larger groups of students,” McCullough said.

ASG also modified senators’ roles by assigning different types of groups to specific senators this year.

“For example, we will assign the multicultural groups to one senator, and assign international student groups to another senator. That way we can make senators be more dedicated to their assigned student groups,” McCullough said.

Some changes may fit into students’ opinions.

“I think ASG did a very good job. They work very hard to help students, especially in RSOs. I think what they need to change is maybe they should get more diversity,” said Shae Stringer, sophomore secondary math education major.

Other students raise extra suggestions.

“I agree they really help students. They do many extra things behind the scenes. However, I think they don’t seem like a group in most activities they held,” said Crystal Ulbrich, senior communication major. “In some of their activities they gave popcorn or stuff like that to students, but it seems more like individuals rather than a whole group.”

According to ASG’s outline of document of changes, they wish to provide more services of notable benefit, hope to truly represent the student needs by making themselves more available and approachable and intend to be more active and more visible on campus and within the Emporia community.

Alison Li

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Rivers

Welcome Hornets!

On behalf of the Associated Student Government, please allow me to welcome you to the 2010-2011 academic school year! Whether this is your first time on the ESU campus or you are an old pro, we are all very excited to see you!

Like each new academic year, this one brings so many wonderful opportunities – new friendships, connections, memories, lessons, and adventures. My message to you is simple; do not pass up on any of these new chances that present themselves!

Higher education is all about taking bold steps, living life to its fullest and learning new things. I highly encourage each of you to get involved with one of the 140 recognized student organizations, take a course outside of your major, study abroad, join an intramural sports team, volunteer in the community or pursue an internship. Truly, the list goes on and on!

Whatever path you follow this year, always be true to your passions and make the most of every opportunity that this University will provide you. Remember, education takes place not only within the confines of the classroom, but in the mundane and exciting experiences of everyday life. Make the very most of your time spent here, because it goes by fast!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact myself or any other member of Associated Student Government. You can reach us at the Center for Student Involvement office located on the Memorial Union Main Street, by phone at 341-5481, or e-mail me at asgpres@emporia.edu.

Our priority is students and our passion is service. We are here to improve your experience here at Emporia State. Once again, welcome to another exciting year; it’s a great day to be a Hornet!

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