• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1977-05-26_Vol42_No57_06

THE WESTERN CAROLINIAN THURSDAY, MAY 26,1977 Teague issues annual report ti as the ANNUAL REPORT STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIA TION This report will discuss both the accomplishments and shortcomings of the Student Government Association this year. Each office of each branch is reported on briefly, followed by shortcomings and accomplishments. This will be as objective as possible to give an accurate picture of SGA this year. Of course, not everything SGA has done this year will be discussed, for this would be too lengthy. EXECUTIVE BRANCH Office of the President The office of president is responsible for making many appointments. All other executive officers, excluding vice- president of SGA and judicial positions, are appointed by the president with approval of the senate. The president also makes all student appointments to the Faculty Senate committees and university-wide committees to insure proper student input at all levels within the university's operations. The student handbook editors were also appointed and worked under the office of the president The total operations of SGA were vastly improved partly due to proper preparations of all appointed people. For the first time, a judicial seminar was conducted for the judicial officials, an executive workshop was held for executive officers, and the vice-president's office has a senate orientation for the Senators. Channels have remained open with the administration to allow the student voice to be heard and adhered to. The president met weekly, if not more often, with Chancellor H. F. Robinson and Vice-chancellor Glenn Stillion. Periodic meetings were held with the other vice-chancellors and various administrators. The president executed all pieces of legislation from the Student Senate. This included over 140 resolutions, with close to 60 dealmg with affairs of the university outside of Student Government (see Student Senate section for specific resolution ideas). By pushing these, 95 per cent of the resolutions were adhered to by the administration. Office of the president created the following positions to improve SGA function: Research coordinator office to conduct SGA studies. Special project committee (worked on projects su< United States appeal drive) Ad hoc committee to formulate proposals to i re-open Camp Shelton Office of public information (it was not functional during this year) Campus programs scheduling committee (to help improve communications among programming organizations to improve the scheduling of campus events) The office of president strived for more direct contact with the student body by holding meetings with as many fraternities, sororities, clubs and organizations, and residence halls as possible. A weekly radio show was implemented to better inform the university community of SGA activities. The president served as a member of the WCU Board of Trustees. SGA executives gave a presentation to the board on SGA and student activities in order to inform them of their activities and clear misconceived ideas the the trustees may have had. As an alumni association member, the president provided student input and activity in alumni affairs at an unprecedented level, especially through the creation of the student research committee. It worked to increase student appeal for the university and alumni association in the hope that more graduates will become active in alumni affairs. Through the North Carolina Association for Student Government (NCASG), the office of the president initiated a drive at the state level to encourage passage of House Bill 361 (the Adams-Ramsey Bill), which, if passed, will bring WCU a new library addition. This office also initiated a drive which will hopefully prevent an increase in state financial-aid to private institutions. WCU also presented a resolution to approve House Bill 511 (the Gamble Bill), which would duplicate work of the UNC Board of Governors. The president worked with Alan Pike, president of UNC-G, in drafting the NCASG proposal on university-wide faculty evaluation. WCU hosted the first NCASG meeting on our campus since 1973. WCU had a full delegation at the first annual NCASG workshop in Chapel Hill in October. Our president served as parlimentarian of NCASG. The university ad hoc parking study committee is finishing work which should alleviate most problems with this year's parking situation. A foods advisory committee was formed to investigate and recommend improvements in the cafeterias. Most of these improvements will not be in effect until next year. Improvements in housing are underway through the ad hoc committees working separately on proposals concerning co-ed housing and the establishment of an off-campus housing cooperative. Requests were made to administrators and proper action was taken to eliminate unfair policies such as fines for articles left in residence hall rest rooms and unfair salary scales for some residence assistants. The office of president has dealt with various problems of individual students such as improper billing for infractions of certain policies. During the summer 1976, SGA was involved in the following areas: Organizing and planning for this year. Initiated voter registration drive and absentee ballot drive with the Young Democrats Club and the Young Republicans Club. Worked directly with new student orientation to better introduce incoming students to SGA. Printed SGA brochure in explanation of SGA to new students and other interested persons. Brought about the first contact with commuter students through direct mailing. Student worked on committees to select dean of business, dean of technology and applied science, dean of health science and nursing, and the librarian. Coordinated campus bicentennial celebration. Legal Assistance WCU students are provided with legal assistance through the office of the director of legal assistance. This office aids the students by securing for him an attorney, bail bondsman or other legal aid, such as use of magistrate court. Maintained within the office is a current catalogue of information dealing with federal, state, and local laws, and law enforcement agencies. This year has seen the development of a close, working relationship with such organizations as the NC Attorney General, American Civil Liberties Union, Better Business Bureau, Consumer Protection Division, and NC Public Interest Group. More than sixty students have sought legal advice through the office during the past year. Perhaps one of the most interesting seminars here at WCU this year was the "Drinking While Driving" seminar, which was a new idea of the office of legal assistance. It served as an example of the exact process of being arrested for drunken driving and the amount different structured people could drink without being legally drunk. Refrigerator Leasing Refrigerator leasing, under the direction of Joey Aiken during fall and spring quarters, and Sue Condlin, winter quarter, has accomplished several objectives during the year. To begin with, better records, including inventory control, were maintained. A secure storage area was obtained and a service man was hired to repair units. Academic records were held on any student who was irresponsible in renting and returning refrigerators. The number of rental refrigerators was increased by 150 to 526. Established this year was the placing of the director on a small stipend plus an incentive commission. One of the most important aspects of the year's refrigerator leasing program is ending the school year in the black. Consequently, for the first time since August 1974, two $300 scholarships will be awarded to two students not affiliated with SGA. Student Government Productions During fall quarter, SGP replaced and repaired two-thirds of the stage used for productions. Two concerts, Leon and Mary Russell, and Stephen Stills, were held. Winter quarter saw Blue Oyster Cult with REO Speedwagon. Again this spring, the Annual Blue Grass Show was held with Lester Flatt, Boones Creek, Asheville Grass, Arlene Kesterson, Knoxville Grass, Ralph Lewis and Family, and the Blue Ridge Mountain Band. Rose Royce, with Mother's Finest, a "beach show" with the Tarns, Maurice Wlliams, and the Zodiacs, and the Catalinas and Foghat with the Outlaws were spring quarter presentations. This year was the first year in which the SGA advisory committee functioned. This committee provided an unprecedented level of student input into the concert programming on campus. Office of Comptroller The office of comptroller has many functions as far as the financial activities of most of the university clubs and organizations are concerned. The most important function is the appropriation of funds to these clubs and organizations. Each fall, the finance committee of the student senate, of which the comptroller is chairman, reviews appropriation requests submitted by each individual club or organization. The committee, after meeting with the officers of the respective clubs, decides on an appropriation for each club and organization and submits their decision in the formation of a bill to the student senate for final approval. Photo by David Lees After appropriations it is the repsonsibility of the comptroller to keep each club's budget in the black. This requires extensive paperwork. Every requisition and invoice for each of the 38 appropriated clubs and organizations must be signed and a copy kept by the comptroller. The records of the comptroller must then match the records of the accounting office in Bird. The comptroller also has financial jurisdiction over the use of motor pool cars by members of appropriated clubs and organizations. Another function of the office of comptroller is being the treasurer for SGA, and the financial advisor to the president. As the treasurer of SGA, the comptroller is responsible for the funds of SGP and the refrigerator leasing program. This year, the comptroller' office was controlling funds and assets of approximately $250,000. These funds provide for SGA clubs and organizations, SGP and the refrigerator leasing trust fund. Student club and organization appropriations this year totaled in excess of $110,000. The three most funded organizations were the Western Carolinian, the University Center Board, and the Catamount yearbook. Other university- wide clubs and organizations receiving appropriations were WWC* Student Association of Government and Legal Affairs, (SAGLA), SGA, and the Nomad. Research Coordinator The office of research coordinator was created this year. Several studies were conducted as listed below: Fall quarter general opinion pool. Spring quarter general opinion poll. Study of the operations of SGP. Study of co-ed housing at WCU. Alumni Association study. Cafeteria study. Collective assessing study. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Office of V The vice-president organized and directed the first student senate orientation and also held individual conferences with each senator in order to promote a more efficient senate. By entering over 130 pieces of legislation, this senate is one of the most productive senates ever. Approximately 80 per cent of the legislation entered in by the student senate has been accepted to Student Government's satisfaction by the administration. North Carolina Student Legislature The North Carolina Student Legislature (NCSL) a branch of WCU's student government, represents Western at the state level in a student general assembly. This assembly included 39 chartered colleges and universities, of which all 16 constituents of the UNC system are members. NCSL works as a lobbyist group representing the views and opinions of North Carolina college students through the drafted legislation of each member All legislation acted upon by NCSL at this session is then taken to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the State, through NCSL's liaison committee for their review and consideration. Approximately 40 per cent of all legislation passed through NCSL was eventually passed through the state legislature—an impressive figure for any lobbying group. NCSL at Western serves as a link between other schools and

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1977-05-26
  • Date digitized: 2018-07-03
• Extent
  • Dimension: 15" x 11.5"
  • Pages: 12 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1977-05-26_Vol42_No57
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library