Next semester, Marquette Student Government plans to follow up on goals set so far this year.

President Henry Thomas, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences, and Vice President Stephanie Stopka, a senior in the College of Business Administration, said their goal for next semester is to continue the work already started on their platform issues and recommendations passed this semester.

Safety

One of MUSG’s larger projects this semester was the installation of energy-efficient light bulbs off-campus, Thomas said. The savings from the new light bulbs should encourage tenants to leave their porch lights on at night, creating a better lit and safer campus area, he said.

Next semester, Stopka said MUSG would be working with the city to improve traffic problems on 16th and 17th streets, and possibly convert them into two-way roads, although this issue would extend beyond their tenure.

“Changing streets isn’t a very quick thing to do,” Stopka said.

Student Organizations Allocations Funding

MUSG has greatly improved the SOA process and will continue to do so next semester, Stopka said. She said the informational sessions MUSG now offers before each deadline are helping get the word out about SOA funding.

Sustainability

One of MUSG’s better achievements this year was the establishment of single-stream recycling on campus, Thomas said.

“That was a great win for the university,” he said.

Next semester, Thomas said MUSG will be working on spreading recycling off-campus, as well as hosting a “Green Week” in the spring to raise awareness.

Diversity

Thomas said he was a part of a gender task force focusing on issues of gender and sexuality. The provost gave the committee a lot of leeway to ask questions and compare Marquette to other universities, he said.

In addition, Stopka said MUSG would be part of a diversity commission, which will look at diversity at Marquette. The commission will start at the end of next semester.

Transparency

Stopka said she and Thomas had a lot of concrete ideas for promoting transparency when they took office, including reforming the election process and working more openly with students and student media. She also said their monthly out-of-office hours, hosted on the Bridge, have helped MUSG communicate with students.

Thomas said one new idea for next semester is to add an interactive feedback box on the MUSG Web site for students to send messages directly to him.

Legislation

Thomas and Stopka said they were working with the administration on implementing recommendations passed this semester, which included building a new Rec Center, terminating the university’s contract with Sodexo and making course evaluations public.

Thomas said the university might create a temporary recreational facility on the west side of campus next semester. The university might invest in a new Rec Center in the long term, but Thomas said administrators were hesitant to fully commit so as to not make false promises.

Concerning the Sodexo legislation, Stopka said the university was very receptive to improvements in the quality of dining services, but convincing them to terminate their contract wasn’t likely.

“They’re not going to be getting rid of Sodexo,” Stopka said.

Lastly, Stopka said their efforts with the course evaluations legislation were being focused on faculty. She said it is important the faculty understands that public evaluations are intended to help students pick classes, rather than to get them in trouble.

—

Graphic info:

MUSG Anticipated Legislation next semester:

• Legislation supporting financial support of community service
• Legislation regarding academic advising
• Legislation extending library hours
• Legislation supporting the LGBTQ community on campus
• Legislation recommending subsidization of STD tests on campus
• Legislation recommending the creation of Marquette banners in the off-campus area

source: Bill Doerrer, Joey Ciccone, and Giuseppe Pappalardo