STUDENT

focus
Student
Government, Inc.
Fall 2013

NEW DINING OPTIONS COME

TO QUEENS CAMPUS BY CATHERINE MIN KIM
This year, more dining options
have been added for the students
on campus. Students can now enjoy frozen yogurt at Red Mango or
enjoy classic diner food at the Red
Storm Diner. Red Mango is located
on the first floor of St. Augustines
Hall next to the Library Cafe. An
assortment of flavors is offered
that are changed every week, but
the Original Tart flavor is always
served. Different toppings ranging
from baked ones to fruits are accessible for self-serve. Red Mango is
open from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Monday through Thursday and
7:30AM to 3:00PM on Friday.

Sophomore Christine Chung said,

Last semester, I heard that Red
Mango moved into Stony Brook
University, and I was so jealous!
But, when I heard that Red Mango was coming to St. Johns, I was
thrilled. Red Mangos frozen yogurt
is one of my favorite treats of all
time whether its sunny or snowy,
and its awesome that its right on
campus. Now, I can go grab some
awesome frozen yogurt whenever I
want!
The other new dining option, the
Red Storm Diner, is located at the
SGI Courtyard.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TECHNOLOGIES
SAVE EARTH
AND IMPROVE
STUDENT LIFE

As part of an initiative to
preserve the environment and our
cell phone batteries, SGI has put in
place electronic charging and
refillable water bottle stations
around campus. This technology
station, found in the DAngelo
Center, supplies students with
chargers for devices from iPhones
to Androids. Benjamin Anvarrete,
a junior found using the chargers at
DAC said Theyre very convenient
because I lost my charger yesterday,
and I went to the bookstore to buy
one, but they didnt have the type
of charger I needed.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

BY WANDY ORTIZ

Students embrace Johnny Thunderbird

outside of Carnesecca Arena during the
2013 Dribble for the Cure event.

IN THIS ISSUE
Dining Options.........................1, 2
Technologies Save.....................1, 3
Committee Spotlight....................2
Relay For Life................................3
Committee Spotlight....................4
Around St. Johns...........5, 8, 12, 13
Rep/Committee Roster.............6, 7
Letter to the Community.............9
Operating Budget...................10,11
Organizations Budget...........12, 13

CONNECT WITH US

GUA @STJOHNSSGI

FROM PAGE 1, NEW DINING

This 50s style diner offers classic
food such as burgers, milkshakes,
and breakfast food. Students can
eat inside the diner to enjoy their
meals or take it to go. Meals are
offered for dinner meal exchange
from Monday through Friday.
Although there is an extensive
array of food to choose from on
the menu, there are only a few
options actually offered for meal
exchange. The Red Storm Diner
is open from 5:00PM to 2:00AM
on Mondays through Thursdays,
5:00PM to 3:00AM on Friday,
8:00PM to 3:00AM on Saturday,
and 8:00PM to 2:00AM on Sunday.
The Red Storm Diner is the late
night dinner option that students
can choose, and students can go to
Red Mango to enjoy a nice snack
with friends. Sophomore Judy Wu
said, Red Storm Diners great after
a late lab class!

COMMITTEE

SPOTLIGHT

Eight questions with Caitlin Lopes, the Chairperson of the

Student Affairs Committee.
Q: Which committee are you a part of?
A: Student Affairs Committee
Q: What is involved in order to join your committee?
A: Simply come to a meeting; the committee is open and there

is no deadline in order to join.
Q: When does your committee meet as a general body?
A: Meeting times for the Student Affairs Committee are

Wednesdays at 4:30pm.
Q: What are your goals this year as a committee?
A: Our goals as a committee for this year are to provide the

student body of St. Johns University with bigger and better

events, including both Winter Carnival and Relay For Life.
Q: What has your committee successfully accomplished recently?
A: Our most current accomplishment is promoting Relay For

Life and starting the awareness of Relay For Life earlier.
Q: Whats new and exciting that is happening this year?
A: This year we are excited to bring new events to campus.

Events like Winter Wonderland with snow and fundraising

even more for Relay For Life with our theme of Candy Land.
Q: What makes this years iteration of the committee different compared to years past?

A: The variety of events and the quality of events. We are

looking to make the classic events better and give students

something to talk about all year long.
Q: What makes this committee an important asset to St. Johns?

A: We are always looking to make the student body happy. We

want their input to how the events are going and what they

want to see so it can truly be student events.

Learn more about all of SGIs Standing

Committees at http://bit.ly/sjucommittees
2

FROM PAGE 1,
TECHNOLOGIES SAVE
The location is nice because
its where people hang out the
most. But at the same time,
there are a lot of outlets all over
campus that people could use,
so I feel like it wastes money.

But its good for people like me

who dont have a charger. One
thing I dont like about them is
that they rely a lot on human
nature. Like do you really expect
people to leave their phone and
trust that no one would take it?
If I walked away from here for
30 minutes, theres no guarantee that my phone would still be
here. But overall, theyre very
useful. (Keep in mind that at
the charging station, there is a
clearly written advisory to please
keep track of devices at all time).
The image on the right is an example of the refillable water stations
that can be found in residence halls
and other locations. One interestfing feature the new systems boast
is an electronic count of how
many plastic water bottles have
been saved by refilling reusable

ones, it helps keep Johnnies

aware of the impact they are
making on our ecosystem.
Hopefully, it will continue
motivating students to keep
using all those free water bottles
theyve gotten this semester!
Gabrielle Mineo, a freshman
here at SJU says about the water
bottle stations in residence
halls and in campus buildings,
I definitely see myself recycling
more and reusing my water
bottles more often than I usually
do. Not only do these stations
provide water to drink, but
they also promote the reuse
of water bottles & saving the
environment. If you havent
gotten a chance to use either
of these brand new facilities,
make sure you get the chance to
check them out and see what you
think!

RELAY FOR LIFE IS COMING SOON!

April 4, 2014

BIT.LY/SJURELAYFORLIFE

COMMITTEE

SPOTLIGHT

Eight questions with Jasiel Martin-Odoom, the Chairperson of the

Research and Development Committee.
Q: Which committee are you a part of?
A: My Committee is Research and Development.
Q: What is involved in order to join your committee?
A: It is open to new members indefinitely. We are always looking forward to increase our

membership. Come join the family!!
Q: When does your committee meet as a general body?
A: We meet every Thursday from 7pm to 8pm in DAC 210.
Q: What are your goals this year as a committee?
A: For this year, our goals are to provide research into various major areas of campus that students

have concerns with, i.e. Residence Life, Facilities, Public Safety, Student Life and others. We intend to

use the research we gather, with the help of the Student Services Committee, to make a solid case for

change on our campus as well as provide policy suggestions to certain issues that will arise especially

as a result of the unique position we are in with regards to our rebranding process.
Q: What has your committee successfully accomplished recently?
A: Currently, we have completed extensive research into the possibilities of taking our schools year

book from print version to an online edition. We have polled information from different sources and

have come up with a specified group of alternatives that we have submitted to the Executive Board

of Student Government Inc. and the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Kathryn Hutchinson.

We also have made this information available to the senior committee in case they need it in their

preparations for senior week and graduation-related activities.
Q: Whats new and exciting that is happening this year?
A: I am excited for the immense change we are going to be spearheading on this campus due to the

very unique position of our committees functions in relation to the needs of the school.
Q: What makes this years iteration of the committee different compared to years past?

A: This committee is different from last year in that everyone from the co-chairs to the committee

members are very dedicated to the committee and to our goals.
Q: How is this committees tasks delegated?

A: The committee is sub-divided into three sub-committees with each one under the purview of one

of my three co-chairs: Jialun Mike Wang, Arcangelo Petretta, and Laura Dease.

Learn more about all of SGIs Standing Committees at http://bit.ly/sjucommittees

4

Around St. Johns

To the St. Johns University Community,

Student Government, Inc. (SGI) is the official representative of the undergraduate student population and
the parent organization of all the undergraduate student organizations on the Queens campus. The SGI
Floor is comprised of the Executive Board, the 10 Standing Committees, and the body of Representatives
working to promote the mission of St. Johns University. In an effort to continuously promote transparency,
SGI is releasing its 2013-2014 Financial Report to inform the St. Johns Community about the reasoning and
work that produced this years allocations.

Revenue
Each year SGI is tasked with producing a budget effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1st and ending on
June 30th. The annual fiscal budget is carefully constructed to foster collaboration and ensure efficient
productivity amongst the student body and student organizations. SGIs budget is derived from the
following sources: a portion of the student activity fee, CO-OP revenue, SGI totes and ties revenue, and any
previous fiscal year surplus.

Budget Breakdown
The 2013-2014 SGI Budget is divided into five sections: Student Organizations, Organizational Support
Services, Operating, Government, and Committees.

The Organizations budget encompasses the allocations to the undergraduate student organizations
based on their self-prepared budget proposals, along with the amounts allocated to the Greek
Councils and the SGI Budget Committee Special Allocations. All of the organizations are classified
under 1 of 10 categories: Academic, Cultural, Greek Life, Honor Societies, Political, Religious, Social
Justice, Special Interest, Programming Boards, and the Vincentian Yearbook;
The Organizational Support Services budget encompasses the allocations for services SGI provides
for student organizations use including but not limited to OrgSync software, Facilities, and Public
Safety expenses for programming by recognized organizations;
The Government budget is comprised of the allocations for SGI administrative expenses and
initiatives along with class senator and committee allocations;
The Committee budget includes the individual budgets for each of the 10 standing SGI committees.

SGI wants it to be understood that funds for student organizations are allocated based on several factors
including the organizations budget proposal, their earned income account balance, fulfillment of
requirements as an organization, service hours, and the quality and value of prior programming.
Additionally, the 3 programming boards Resident Student Association, Student Programming Board, and
HARAYA: The Pan-African Students Coalition receive funding for collaborative programming that is open
to all students to attend, and thus are allocated budgets that are in proportion to their events planned in a
fiscal year.


This fiscal years budget reflects SGIs commitment to serve its peer student constituents. The SGI Floor has
voted on and approved this budget, having kept in mind the opinions and needs of students, student
leaders, student organizations, and others that comprise the St. Johns University Community as a whole.

In conjunction with the Universitys Vincentian Mission and Core Values:
Truth, Love, Respect, Opportunity, Service, and Excellence

Sincerely,
The 2013-2014 Executive Board & Floor

Student Government, Inc. Allocated Operating Budget 2013-2014

Anticipated Revenue
Anticipated 2013-2014

Revenue Source

Activities Fee

CO-OP (Student Printing & Distribution Center)

Vineyard Vines Totes & Ties

TOTAL REVENUE

1,130,000.00

25,000.00

1,160,000.00

5,000.00

Notes

Student Government Inc. receives a portion of the Student Activity Fee as their annual budget.

The CO-OP generates periodic revenue and provides services to student organizations as well as the general student
population.
Vineyard Vines Totes & Ties containing the new St. John's University Crest will once again be sold by SGI.

Allocation of Funds
Allocated Budget 20132014

Organization Budgets

SGI: Special Allocations

100,000.00

286,845.00

5,500.00

IGC: Special Allocations

ALFSA

Organizations Allocations
IFC

30,000.00
9,500.00

Panhellenic Council

11,000.00

ORGANIZATION BUDGET TOTAL

494,845.00

Tri Council

Organizations Support Services Budget

52,000.00

55,000.00

Security/Cadets

90,000.00

Concerts

50,000.00

15,000.00

(Student

OrgSync
ASCAP/BMI/SESAC
Direct TV

SUPPORT SERVICES BUDGET TOTAL

Operating Budget

$
$
$

4,000.00
8,000.00

Equipment

8,000.00

Postage

Contingency
Printing
QuickBooks

Department CoSponsorships

OPERATING BUDGET TOTAL

Allocated funds that are from the ALFSA Greek organizations.

Allocated funds that are used by members of Inter-Fraternity Council for programming and activities.

Allocated funds that are used by members of the Panhellenic Council Greek organizations for programming and
activites.
All allocated funding that is used by three member council of the Tri-Council for programming and activities.

Notes

Encompasses the payment of facility bills from all events executed by SGI recognized organizations.

Encompasses the payment of all security needed for all events executed by SGI recognized organizations to maintain
campus civility.
Funds used to supplement a portion of the total cost to plan and execute an annual music event for the general
student population.

Funds to maintain the Co-Op and restock inventory. The Co-Op provides services to student organizations as well as
the general student population.
OrgSync is a Campus Engagement Network that connects students to organizations, programs, and departments on
campus in a private online community.
Music copyrighting fees, etc.

SGI provides DirectTV Services for the D'Angelo Center televisions.

Allocated Budget 20132014

42,000.00

Supplies

The total funds that all SGI organizations received this fiscal year.

800.00

NY Times Readership Initiative

Funds used by the Greek Budget Committee for educational and leadership training activities and events.

222,800.00

Support Staff Salaries

Auditing Fees
Legal Fees

The funds to support academic and leadership training programs that reflect the University's Vincentian values for
the student community. Requests are open to all SGI recognized organizations, recommended by the SGI Budget
Committee, and are approved by the SGI Floor.

Allocated Budget 20132014

Facilities Cost for Student Organization Events

Co-Op/Xerox
Printing & Distribution Center)

Notes

$
$
$
$
$

15,000.00
10,000.00

6,000.00
8,000.00
400.00

$
$

50,000.00
2,500.00

6,000.00

$
$

4,500.00

Notes

Funds are used for the salaries of the office support for the entire fiscal year.
Usage of all annual auditing fees.

Fees for contract review throughout the year.

Used to repair, replace, or modify any SGI equipment, including the Co-Op.

SGI funds NY Times delivery to increase readership amongst the student population.
Funds are used for office supplies from Staples and Proftech.
Mailing supplies and services.

Unexpected expenditures that arise, that are not generally categorized under another area.
Supply for all printing purposes.

Annual budget for Quickbooks, an accounting system to track expenditures.

SGI's collaboration funds with various departments for the fiscal year.

152,400.00

10

Government Budget

Allocated Budget 20132014

Gift for Incoming Freshmen Class

7,500.00

SGI Awards Night/Inauguration

SGI Meetings/ Conferences

$
$

3,750.00
1,500.00

SGI Administrative Expenses

40,955.00

1,500.00

Senior Gift - Senior Scholarship Fund

Donations
Senators

Secretary

GOVERNMENT BUDGET TOTAL

Committee Budget

Academic Affairs Committee

Budget Committee

5,000.00

81,000.00

141,705.00

500.00

Notes

The gift for the freshman class this year was a class shirt. We hope to make this a lasting tradition to promote Red
Storm and class pride with St. John's newest family members.

Funds used for the Annual SGI Awards Night and Inauguration Ceremony of the incoming members for the upcoming
academic year.
Funding that covers all SGI Meetings/Conferences.

Allocated funds that are spent by the SGI Floor for educational and leadership traning programs that reflect the
University's Vincentian values.

Along with the funds raised from various fundraising initiatives, SGI also donates 5,000 to the Senior Gift, the Senior
Scholarship.
Encompasses all charitable donations on behalf of SGI.

Funding for year long programs by the Senior Senator, Junior Senator, and Sophomore Senator.
Funds used to carry out initiatives with the Freshmen Committee.

Allocated Budget 20132014

$
$

20,000.00
500.00

Elections Committee

5,000.00

Events Review Committee

400.00

Organizations Committee

1,500.00

Public Relations Committee

5,000.00

Research & Development Committee

350.00

School Spirit Committee

45,000.00

Student Affairs Committee - Traditional Events

65,000.00

Student Services Committee

COMMITTEE BUDGET TOTAL

143,250.00

TOTAL ALLOCATED BUDGET 2013-2014

1,155,000.00

500.00

Notes

Funds allocated for Academic Forums, the Whos Who Among College Students selection process, Meeting of the
Minds Dinner, and the Professor of the Year selection process, representing SGI in selecting speakers for the
Academic Lecture Series and facilitates academic focus groups within the student body.

Handles organizations special allocation funding requests, and after thorough review, recommends all allocations to
the elected representatives of SGI for approval.
Organizes and facilitates all elections of Student Government, Inc. including Freshman Representative Elections in
the Fall, as well as Executive Board and College Representative Elections in the Spring.
With the assistance of SGI members, this committee attends and evaluates the quality of programs funded by SGI.
Their analysis is essential in assisting with making future recommendations as to the direction of SGI funding for
student organizations & University-wide events.
Responsible for regulating established organizations activities on campus; handles the formation of new
organizations by making recommendations of applications for the Power to Organize, permanent recognition of
organizations, and reactivation of lapsed organizations.
Primary body for the dissemination of information concerning Student Government, Inc. Responsibilities include the
Spring Activities Fair, SGI recruitment, suggestion boxes, approval of organizational publicity, and allocation of
advertising space in the Torch to SGI and all organizations.
Produces and compiles several surveys through St. Johns Central and other means to gauge student opinions and
morale. The data gathered plays an integral role in enabling proposals to be made to the Administration and
Executive Board, to guide change and improvements on behalf of the student body.
Promotes St. John's pride by providing students with merchandise and the RedZone Student Section, helps with the
coordination of activities, and plan away trips to out-of-town games. The committee is responsible for the promotion
of season tickets as well as organizing game day giveaways, as well as pre-game and post-game social activities.
Responsible for the coordination and execution of all marquee events of SGI. These events include the Winter
Carnival, Relay for Life , and various other charitable projects and activities. Works with the other members of SGI to
help with events such as Family Grad Dinner, Awards Nights, and all other SGI events.
Works with the Research and Development committee to identify student concerns, conduct appropriate research on
the subject, and work with SGI to propose solutions to the Administration. This committee will also coordinate the
SGI Monthly Focus program.

11

2013-2014 Organization Budget Allocations

Organization Category

Number of Active Organizations

Minimum
Maximum
Median
Mean
Mode
Total Academic Allocation
Number of Active Organizations
Minimum
Maximum
Median
Mean
Mode
Total Cultural Allocation
Number of Active Organizations
Minimum
Maximum
Median
Mean
Mode
Total Greek Life Allocation
Number of Active Organizations
Minimum
Maximum
Median
Mean
Mode
Total Honor Society Allocation
Number of Active Organizations
Minimum
Maximum
Median
Mean
Mode
Total Political Allocation

$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$

Allocated Budget 2013-2014

Notes

22

Advertising Club, American Chemical Society, American College of Healthcare Executives,

14

$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$

34

14

$
$
$
$
$
$

American Pharmacists Association, Biology Students Organization, Criminal Justice

300.00
4,100.00 Assocation, Economics & Finance Society, Entrepreneurial Society, Homeland & Corporate
Security Club, Lambda Kappa Sigma (Pharmacy), Legal Society, Management Society,
400.00
Marketing Club, Math Club, NABA (National Association of Black Accountants), Physicians
621.36
Assistant Association, Society of Physics Students, Society of Professional Journalists,
400.00 Speech & Hearing Association, Sports Management Club, Student Psychological Association,
13,670.00
Tau Omega Chi (Toxicology)

250.00
5,000.00 African Students Association, Caribbean Students Association, Chinese Cultural Association,
Chinese Students & Scholars Association, Gaelic Society, Haitian Society, Italian Cultural
700.00
Society, Jewish Students Association, Latin American Student Organization, PARE, Polish
1,025.00 Culture Club, RAAZ, Taiwanese Students Organization, Vietnamese Cultural Organization
N/A
14,350.00
Alpha Kappa Alpha, alpha Kappa Delta Phi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Phi Delta, Alpha Sigma

400.00
Alpha, Delta Phi Epsilon, Delta Sigma Theta, Gamma Phi Beta, Iota Nu Delta, Kappa Alpha
1,400.00
Psi, Kappa Phi Lambda, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Phi, Lambda Phi Epsilon, Lambda Pi Chi,
800.00 Lambda Pi Upsilon, Lambda Theta Alpha, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Omega Phi Beta, Omega
994.12 Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Phi Delta Chi, Phi Iota Alpha, Pi Delta Psi, Phi Sigma Sigma, Pi Kappa
800.00 Phi, Pi Lambda Phi, Sigma Beta Rho, Sigma Chi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Sigma Iota Alpha,
Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Phi Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta
33,800.00
250.00
750.00
525.00
487.50
N/A
6,825.00

Alpha Kappa Delta (Sociology), Alpha Kappa Psi (Business), Alpha Psi Omega (Theatre),
Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting), Gamma Iota Sigma (Risk Management), Gamma Kappa Alpha
(Italian), Phi Alpha Theta (History) Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman), Phi Lambda Sigma
(Pharmacy Leadership), Psi Chi (Psychology), Rho Chi (Pharmacy), Roger Bacon Scientific,
Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish), Watson Pre-Health

500.00
550.00
550.00
533.33
550.00
1,600.00

College Democrats, College Republicans, NAACP

12

Number of Active Organizations

Minimum
Maximum
Median
Mean
Mode
Total Religious Allocation
Number of Active Organizations
Minimum
Maximum
Median
Mean
Mode
Total Social Justice Allocation

$
$
$
$

$
$
$
$
$
$

350.00
5,200.00
550.00
1,156.25
N/A
9,250.00
250.00
300.00
250.00
266.66
250.00
800.00

Number of Active Organizations

Minimum
Maximum
Median
Mean
Mode
Total Special Interest Allocation

$
$
$
$

Number of Active Organizations

Minimum
Maximum
Median
Mean
Mode
Total Programming Board Allocation

$
$
$
$

Total Vincentian Yearbook Allocation

30,000.00

Overall Organization Budget

Allocation 2013-2014

286,845.00

Catholic Student Community, Coptic Society, Grace Fellowship, Intervarsity Christian

Fellowship, Korean Campus Crusade for Christ, Muslim Students Association, Sinai's
Radiant Liturgical Praise Dance Team, St. Vincent de Paul Society

300.00
750.00
500.00
505.55
N/A
4,550.00

One Campaign, STAND, Students for Global Justice

Earth Club, Fashion Club, Habitat for Humanity, Los Unidos, Otaku Brigade, Sequoya, Step
Ya Game Up, Team RV, The Animal Rights Awareness Club

44,000.00
78,000.00
50,000.00
57,333.33
N/A
172,000.00

Haraya: Pan-African Students' Coalition, Residents Student Association, Student

Programming Board

The Vincentian Yearbook is subsidized for every graduating senior.

AROUND
ST. JOHNS
13

SGI MEETING TIMES: SPRING SEMESTER

EXECUTIVE BOARD
President | Elizabeth Sheehan
elizabeth.sheehan09@stjohns.edu

Vice-President | Mark Benavides

mark.benavides10@stjohns.edu

Secretary | Oscar Diaz

oscar.diaz10@stjohns.edu

Treasurer | Emily Bargabos

emily.bargabos10@stjohns.edu

Senior Senator | Johann Kerr

johann.kerr10@stjohns.edu

Junior Senator | Jenny Rankin

jennifer.rankin11@stjohns.edu

Soph. Senator |Michael Yu

xufeng.yu12@stjohns.edu