From the president

Agenda for Change: Don’t know what the SGA does? Go online and find out what your student representatives are doing for you! The SGA has just released its first ever Policy Agenda. The Policy Agenda is a list of all the issues and projects SGA intends to advocate for and change for a given year. The agenda can be found at www.vcusga.com – click on “Agenda”.

Campus Safety: SGA was on TV! Last week, Student Affairs Director Kiffy Johnson and I were interviewed by channel 6 and channel 12 news about the SGA Safety Rumor Mill, an online message board where students can post safety rumors and hear the real deal from VCU Police officers. Hopefully, the forum will help to quell rumors of crime and violence that are more prevalent in the surrounding areas of the campus rather than the campus itself. The Rumor Mill can be found online at www.vcusga.com/safety.

Escort Service Reform: Thursday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. in the Canal Room, the SGA will be meeting with a consultant hired by VCU to research and reform the VCU Security Escort Service. All students are welcome to attend! We want to hear your ideas for how the escort service can be improved. Post your thoughts on out online discussion forum at www.vcusga.com/talk.

Virginia21: Sick of politics, but want to make a difference? Well take the pain out of politics and get involved! Monday, Nov. 13 at 1:45 p.m. in the Canal Room in the University Student Commons, the SGA and Virginia21 will be sponsoring a Learn-to-Lobby Day. This is a great way to learn not only how to talk directly to an elected governmental official but how to get that person to take you seriously. The short session will feature games to help familiarize yourself with your legislature, districts and candidates to aid in making the most viable, strategic moves. Learn how to make a difference! Email politics@vcusga.com for more info.

Board of Visitors: The VCU Board of Visitors will be having an open session to hear from students about what needs to be improved at VCU. To attend, please RSVP to Dr. Reuben Rodriguez at rbrodriguez@vcu.edu. The open session will be on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from noon to 2 p.m. in the University Student Commons.

E-Mail Reform: SGA members met with VCU Technology Services on Wednesday. Oct. 25. We discussed issues students have with the VCU E-mail system and how it could be improved. In response, Technology Services will be releasing a new e-mail portlet that will be part of the myVCU portal. It allows you to read, send and delete e-mail without logging directly into the LotusDomino e-mail system. This exciting feature should be available starting next month. It will help students check their e-mail quickly and easily without crashing! For more information, e-mail technology@vcusga.com.

Campus Beautification: The SGA and the School of the Arts have teamed up to help make VCU’s campus more artistic! Our RamART project will be beginning this year. A contest will be held among VCU students to design a Ram sculpture. The winner will have their sculpture cast in full size bronze and displayed proudly on campus! We hope to have this project begin soon so be on the lookout.

E-mail me anytime at sgapresident@vcu.edu about your concerns. Thanks for your time, and good luck on your exams!