We have accomplished a lot this year but we still have a long way to go with some of our initiatives. SGA hopes to make some big announcements in the coming weeks regarding Google Apps and a few other things… but here is a short list of things so far:
SGA Accomplishments in 2007-2008
· Following Up On Football
o Last spring students voted overwhelmingly that they were willing to support football financially. This year SGA followed up with that information. The Chancellor established a committee to research the topic and your SGA administration had a presence at every meeting. Whenever members of the community criticized the efforts of UNC Charlotte to establish a football program, SGA was there reminding everyone of the academic and athletic consequences of passing on this opportunity to raise the reputation of UNC Charlotte and establish an identity.
· Campus Safety Study
o By comparing our crime statistics with those of our designated peer campuses we were able to find specific and targeted areas where crime is effecting UNC Charlotte’s student body.
· University Branding
o Because nothing our university realizes is relevant without acknowledged ownership of those accomplishments, our academic brand is one of the most important things we can focus on. Throughout the branding process that started last year, SGA has been involved in providing feedback. But now, SGA has found that a branding solution is only a “quick fix”. We are in the process pursuing the long term solution of taking a student vote on March 25th and 26th asking students how they feel about changing the name of the university.
· Green Fee Established
o Through the hard work starting with the Earth Club with what was truly a grassroots effort; SGA has successfully established a $2/year green fee to provide financing for renewable energy initiatives focused on environmental sustainability. This money is now being managed by a committee of interdisciplinary student leaders and the university’s new Sustainability Coordinator.
· Debate on Transit Tax
o UNC Charlotte’s student body must become a leader on local issues and to do that our students must be educated on the issues. Partnering with student organizations, SGA has started what will be a tradition of events centered on local issues by holding the Transit Tax Debate on the issue of the Mecklenburg County half cent transit tax featuring Keith Larson and Jennifer Roberts in the fall of 2007.
· Concert Funds
o A unified student body experiences music together. Through SGA negotiations, UNC Charlotte has committed $50,000/year to concerts on campus which will host a Week of Welcome concert and a Homecoming Concert in 2008 and 2009.
· Tradition
o By establishing tailgating in the Brocker parking lot, committing the university to lighting the Belk tower green before every home basketball game next year and ensuring that all weekend basketball games have food available for students waiting hours in line for the big games in Halton Arena, SGA has established important traditions which will be important now and in the future.
· Active Student Life (Student Org Funding)
o SGA has successfully allocated nearly $130,000 to student organizations which is close to 60% of the entire SGA budget. This is a new record for student funding being used on student events and is a clear indicator of the vibrant activity on our campus.
· Campus Clean Up
o Through instating the Campus Clean Up as an official university event every semester our campus will become united in making the 49ers campus green.
· Campus Safety Walk
o The annual SGA Campus Safety walk identified over XX areas for improvement which lead to unsafe areas on campus.
· Lobby Corps
o A first at North Carolina universities, UNC Charlotte’s SGA has established a student lobby corps which will influence decision makers continually overlooking the students of UNC Charlotte in state level budget allocations.
· Commitment for a new Rec Center
o A top priority for this year’s SGA administration, our university needs new recreational facilities and fast. By gaining the commitment for a Rec Center feasibility study we will have adequate basketball courts and sufficient fitness equipment for everyone.
· Name Change for the UTimes
o Working with the Student Media staff, SGA has improved the brand identity of our student newspaper so that we can tie it even closer to the 49er experience.
· Billboards of Other Institutions Removed Around Campus
o Our campus must maintain a visual presence in University City and the presence of UNC Pembroke and Winston Salem State billboards as commuters drive by our campus ruins our sense of community. SGA has been instrumental in bringing these billboards down.
· Library Survey Leading Towards 24 Hour Library Access
o 24 Hour Library Access is closer than ever as new methods are being explored for providing the services that students need after hours through the SGA library survey completed in fall 2007.
· +/ - Grading Research
o The quality of every degree offered is of specific concern to each student that graduates. By providing research on implementing a grading system that uses A,A-,B+,B,B- etc… we can ensure that every student’s work is accurately reflected in his or her grades.
