Carl Kasalek
SGA President
As the semester draws to a close, I wanted to take the opportunity to update you on a few of the projects SGA has completed this semester, and others that we are working to implement next semester and beyond.
But before I discuss the details of the project I would like to emphasize how important it is that you voice your ideas to SGA. As it says in our mission statement: “The Student Government Association is an outlet for student concerns that seeks solutions to issues and problems …” In my opinion, this means SGA cannot operate effectively without your ideas or concerns. Please let your voice be heard and help us make our community a more enjoyable place.
More importantly, I do not want you to think that your ideas die in an e-mail. The majority of the time those ideas make their way onto the SGA agenda, and our best effort is given to make them a reality. For example, here are some of the ideas we have heard from the student body and made headway on this semester:
• Mail Services – I spoke with the director of mail services and discussed ideas to remedy long wait times at the mail room for students.
• Discovery Health Channel – We are currently working with Charter Communications to add this channel to specifically meet the needs of our natural science majors.
• Beach Bus – We successfully ran the Pepperdine Beach Bus for four weeks with great attendance and will most likely re-implement the program in the spring.
• Pepperdine Mock Presidential Election – We ran an inner-Pepperdine presidential election and posted the results online.
• Tower Stairs – Many of you might have noticed the construction at the intersection of upper and lower dorm road. By next semester the construction of a staircase directly to towers will be completed.
In contrast to past years, SGA this year has devoted a significant amount of time to researching large improvement projects on campus. My hope is that you will be able to see a few beginning next semester and others in the years to come. A few of the projects SGA is currently researching are:
• Library Improvements – Three SGA representatives are on a library task force to help the library better suit students’ needs, including increasing library hours.
• Laundry Room Improvements – A committee has been researching the possible addition of wall-mounted ironing boards, adding more washers, and the ability to use electronic card readers in place of quarters for payment.
• Handbook Review – A committee has been established to review the Seaver College Handbook and possibly make changes to suit student requests.
• Parking – We established a committee to meet with various departments on campus to discuss the feasibility of changing the parking situation on campus.
• Recycling Program – In an effort to better care for our environment a committee has been established to research the placement of recycling bins throughout campus.
I would like to thank all students for everything that they do for this campus. During the three and a half years I have been at Pepperdine, I continually realize it is the students of Pepperdine that make this school what it is, and I do not see that changing in the near future. Thanks for your contribution and ideas to make this campus an even better place for the students of the future. I invite you to e-mail me directly at sgapres@pepperdine.edu or call ext. 6364 with any comments or suggestions you may have throughout the rest of the year. I promise to do my absolute best to respond to each of your e-mails and make your ideas a reality here at Pepperdine.
11-18-2004