Recreational sports: Last Tuesday I met with recreational sports director Tom Diehl to address students’ concerns about accommodating the rising demand for soccer. He’s reserved certain times during the week when students can play pickup soccer at Cary Street field. Also, some students were interested in intramural kickball, so we talked about possibly holding a tournament. We discussed the construction/renovation of the Cary Street Gym, which is on-schedule to be completed in June or July 2009. At the behest of student government, VCU Technology Services has installed a RamCam over Cary Street Field so students can check online when the field is in use. Visit www.vcu.edu/ramcam and click on “West Cary RamCam.”
Monroe Park renovation: Last Wednesday the Student Government Association attended a Monroe Park Advisory Committee meeting. This committee is in charge of helping renovate Monroe Park. Currently they have five different proposed master plans, and they’ve narrowed it down to two. Some big changes that all the plans have in common are removing roads to increase green space, laying brick on the walkways instead of having asphalt, trying to bring in food vendors and improving the grass quality. The MPAC meets monthly in the Landmark Theater. For more information, contact special assistant for external affairs Joe Stanley (external@vcusga.com).
Student poll worker program: In cooperation with Virginia21, the SGA has launched a new civic service program to help young voters work the polls on Election Day! It’s a great opportunity to serve the community, meet new people and make $100 for a day’s work. For more information about the program, visit the Democracy 101 Web site (www.virginia21.org/democracy101). Applications are available in to the SGA office, Room 228 of the Student Commons. For more information, contact special assistant for political affairs Maggie O’Brien (Politics@vcusga.com).
New SGA Web site: The SGA wants to empower students to change VCU. With this in mind, we have unveiled our newly revamped and remodeled Web site. Here are some highlights:
A “Campus Watch” page that has links to various campus and community safety resources. Also, it includes an exciting new feature called “The Rumor Mill.” This is an interactive discussion board that allows you to post unsettling safety and crime rumors you’ve heard on campus. VCU Police will be checking the board regularly and will post the real deal!
A “Wiki Notes” section that allows students to share your class notes and knowledge online.
A discussion board where you can interact directly with your student representatives and receive updates on their doings.
Student Senate elections: I want to remind all students to vote in next week’s student Senate elections. Voting begins 8 a.m. Oct. 10 and lasts until 8 a.m. Oct. 12 online at www.vcusga.com. For this election we have added a new feature where students can now cast a “write-in” vote by typing in the person’s eID (the first part of their VCU e-mail address).
I wish everyone a fruitful week. As always, feel free to contact your student government with any concerns. I can be reached at SGApresident@vcu.edu. I’ll see you next week.