Student Government Association (SGA) passed three resolutions on Wednesday all of which involved reducing unnecessary spending in light of the current economic crisis. In addition to suggesting a strategy to reduce the cost of textbooks SGA approved funding for two upcoming class events: the senior town hall meeting and ball.
Preceding the resolutions former actor comedian and Family Feud host Rich Dawson spoke to SGA about improving the integration of international students into the university community.
“It isn’t a secret that little cliques form all over Pepperdine said Sophomore Class Senator Daelan Blankfein. We all get into our little comfort zones and we’re hesitant to break out and meet people who are not like us.”
Dawson highlighted international students’ desire not only to receive a good education but also gain firsthand experience in a new culture.
“It’s sometimes difficult for international students to be integrated into America said President Hunter Stanfield.
After Dawson spoke, SGA addressed the first resolution of the meeting, which proposes working with the Pepperdine bookstore and faculty to reduce the cost of textbooks.
Because new textbook editions often bear small differences to prior editions, The Economic Planning and Textbooks Resolution requests professors to refrain from unnecessarily updating textbooks.
President Hunter Stanfield said he hopes the resolution will ease the burden on students feeling the financial crunch by reducing the number of new textbooks they have to buy.The bookstore agrees that SGA’s proposal is beneficial.
I think it would be great if we could continue using older books said bookstore manager Chris Renbarger. [It would] enable [the store] to get more used copies which are ones students are looking for because [they] keeps prices down.”
Some students say they would be content with older editions for lower prices.
“We could save so much money said freshman James Korangy. That’d be brilliant.”
The Senior Town Hall Funding Resolution authorized $4000 in funding for this semester’s senior class town hall event which will be held Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Adamson Plaza. SGA expects approximately 150 students to attend. The event will serve as the initiation for the Senior Challenge Campaign which raises awareness about other senior events including Survival Course Senior Week and needed funds for the class gift.
“When people leave the university one of their overarching views of SGA is the senior gift said Sophomore Class President Christopher Bakke. It is kind of a huge goodbye parting gift.”
In the Senior Ball Funding Resolution SGA approved $4500 in funding from the SGA general fund. SGA estimates that the overall cost of the event will be $100 a reduction in cost from $30000 in 2008 and $25000 in 2007.
“We’re working with the Student Programming Board to reduce the cost [as compared to] past senior balls said Stanfield, who seconded the resolution.
SGA plans to receive the rest of the funds from the Student Alumni Organization (SAO), SPB and ticket sales.
This is one of the great collaborative events said SAO Executive Director of Alumni Affairs Matt Ebling. Partially fundraising perhaps getting alumni out to interact with seniors. Anything we can do to support seniors.”
The senior ball will be held on Tuesday April 28 at 7 p.m. SGA has not determined its off-campus location.
