Fall

11

Student Trustee Report

M o r e h o u s e C o l l e g e S t u d e n t G o v e r n m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n

 November 30, 2011 To the Morehouse College Community, It is with great enthusiasm that the Morehouse College Student Trustees extend our warmest greetings and sincerest thanks for allowing us to serve you thus far in the 2011- 2012 academic school year. In this packet, we hope to inform you of the role of the Student Trustees, as well as the new and existing policies being implemented at the College. The primary purpose of the Student Trustees is to ensure that student concerns are heard, recorded, and presented directly to the Morehouse College Senior Administration, and the Morehouse College Board of Trustees. Though the Student Government Association in its entirety functions as a vehicle for student advocacy, the Student Trustees experience a unique opportunity for student concerns to be presented to the Trustees of the College in a direct and succinct fashion. As outlined in the Constitution of the S.G.A., the Junior and Senior Trustees attend all Student Welfare Committee meetings, Physical Plant Committee meetings, as well as the General Body meetings of the Board of Trustees. As voting members of the Board, we possess the capacity to not only lobby the Board on behalf of the student body, but also to vote accordingly. A significant part of this responsibility lies in ensuring that we have a definite and real understanding of students concerns and desires. Moreover, As Student Trustees we also serve as ex-officio members of the S.G.A. Executive Board. In this capacity we assist the other members of the E-board in developing campus-wide initiatives that will enhance students experience here at Morehouse. Compiled in this document is a report of the Trustees findings regarding student concerns and sentiments, an outline of several completed S.G.A. initiatives, as well as those underway, and a list of proposed initiatives for the spring semester. It is our hope that students will be propelled to partner with the Student Trustees, and the entire Student Government Association, to continue improving the state of Morehouse College. The Student Trustees trust that our advocacy on behalf of the student body will inspire diligent action and positive change here at Morehouse, and we are eager to work with the entire Morehouse Community to make our plans a reality. Humbly Submitted, Chad A. Foster 13, Senior Student Trustee Boris Dobrijevic 14, Junior Student Trustee

Synopsis of the November Board Meeting One of the first orders of business was the trustee retreat. Completed every 3 years, this retreat is an opportunity for the Board to address the future direction of the college. Created form this meeting was a symbolic model that addressed the 5 strategic priorities involved in delivering the suggested value proposition for the College (See Model Below). In this process, the Student Trustees were very vocal in representing student input based on discussions with other students, and their personal convictions. Next, the Student Trustees attended the student affairs, and educational policy committee meetings. It is at the student affairs committee that the Student Trustees were able to inform the Board of its semester accomplishments, and also detail what is to be forthcoming in the upcoming semester (see next pages). Furthermore, the Student Trustees enlightened the Board with three of the most current student concerns: Logistics of the new Papa Johns/ Freshens development, possible Board-Student Interaction, and most importantly, transparency of the Colleges budget. The Board weekend concluded with an overview of all committee reports, and the Presidents report.

Semester Achievements Passport Drive o Student Trustees collaborated with the Office of Study Abroad and International Student Services to provide an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to obtain or renew their passports. Improvements to the Print Shop o Student Trustees worked with Chief Procurement Officer, Ralph Johnson, to increase the spending cap of organization accounts from $50 to $70 before having to get validation from the Office of Business and Finance. o Student Trustees also worked with Mr. Johnson to improve the quality of print shop productions through equipment enhancements and employee training. Chief Financial Officer Selection Process o Junior Student Trustee, Boris Dobrijevic, was selected as the student representative on the search committee. Read on the Throne o Senior Student Trustee, Chad Foster, participated in the Read on the Throne initiative by the Bonner Office of Community Service, by reading to pre- school students at Dean Rusk YMCA Head Start Academy.

Tentative Proposed Initiatives Big Belly Solar Powered Trash Compactor o The Student Trustees plan to collaborate with Sandra VanTravis, Environmental Health and Safety Officer, to erect a solar powered trash compactor. This will aid in the sustainability efforts of the College, reducing trash amounts and contribute to the colleges single stream recycling efforts. Communications Campaign o The Student Trustees plan to collaborate with the corresponding secretary to establish an effective communications campaign to reintroduce students to the lines of communication to the Student Government Association. o The campaign will also remind students of the TigerNet Customer Service Survey, where they can directly address positive and negative experiences in various departments across campus. Student Fundraising Initiative o The Student Trustees would like to establish a student fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $10,000. o The Student Trustees would like to encourage at least 1000 students to donate either $1/ month for 10 months, or a flat rate of $10. o The raised funds will create an emergency fund for graduating seniors who incur unexpected holds on their accounts. Cafeteria Smoothies o Students have expressed an interest in having more fruit in Chivers Dining Hall. The Student Trustees propose that smoothie makers be installed in the cafeteria for healthy fruit smoothies throughout the day. o This will also prevent the waste of fruit that becomes too ripe, and also help the College move in a more healthy direction for future food choices.

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