Elections fill missing seats

Originally published: Oct. 14, 2010
Publication: THE GLOBE

It was out with the old, in with the new when one representative resigned due to her workload and freshman Joe Rittenhouse was installed as a representative after a run-off election.

In other business during the United Student Government's (USG) weekly meeting, President Michael Potoczny asked members to pick from a list of university faculty committees that elected student officials can be seated on.

"They are very, very important committees across the University," Dean of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Keith Paylo said during the meeting. He told USG members that students have previously fought for the privilege to attend the meetings.

Before that portion of the meeting, junior School of Communications representative Michele Haney resigned her position due to a recently-received internship, which she would need to attend during the USG Monday meetings.


"I am really disappointed I need to resign, but I know that it is for the better. I would be feeling guilty for my lack of attention I would be giving to United Student Government," said Haney's letter of resignation, read during the meeting.

When contacted later, she declined to comment further.

USG President Michael Potoczny said during an e-mail interview that the now-vacant position would either be filled by special election or appointment.

"I'm upset to see her go, but if this is something that will benefit her career, I can't blame her. I wish her the best," he said.

Also in the meeting, Potoczny provided members with a long list of committee assignments he hopes to fill as soon as possible.

The committees would include the curriculum committee, with two voting members and two non-voting members; enrollment management, with two voting members and two non-voting members; library oversight, with three voting members; student affairs, with two voting members and two non-voting members; broadcast media board, with three voting members; and student publications board, with three voting members. USG members on those committees would be responsible for going to the meetings.

"Having a student say in these matters is very important," said Potoczny in an e-mail interview. "Being a part of these committees means students have a vote on matters and policies that directly or indirectly affect them every day. If there is something students do not like, we can stop that from happening because we have voting members on the committees."

USG members will also be meeting with Rebecca Beyer, senior food service director, during next week's meeting to discuss student concerns about a different matter: food service.

"Student Concerns is gathering those concerns right now. It should be a decent amount of concerns. This is our time to ask her questions about food service so we will be asking as many concerns as we can," Potoczny said in an e-mail interview. "If any students have concerns that they want brought up they should come to the meeting or email USG," Potoczny said in an e-mail interview.

On-campus dining options are also being looked into.

"Some of the things that we'll be looking into is being able to use a meal from 7 a.m. to midnight instead of just those very limited blocks, not like all in the same facility but like if we can't get a meal in the Residential Dining Facility (RDF) we should be able to get one in the café. That sort of thing, because class schedules are crazy and not all students have a normal lunch time because of their schedules," said Meagan Stroud, a representative from the USG Student Concerns Committee.

According to Stroud, other concerns that could be brought up include on Cafe organization, prices and opening the Cafe on Sunday.

"Every single student on campus is invited to come to our meeting, as always, but particularly if they want to voice their concerns about anything related to food or the dining halls, they should come or e-mail us," Stroud said.

Also on the meeting's agenda was the old business of the university bicycle program. Bicycles for program are in, but details are still being finalized before student use. According to Potoczny, the current plan is to have students sign the bikes out at the student center front desk. Students would then sign a waiver, releasing "liability only to the rider and makes them responsible if they damage the bicycle. It also asks for an emergency contact and student information like name, phone number, etc."

"I'm excited for it," he said. "It is a great thing for students for recreation and transportation. I hope everyone enjoys it."

Elections fill missing seats