New representatives and not having a homecoming court topped discussion at the SGA meeting on Oct. 12.
During introductions, President Justin Jansen introduced Robert Bogdanffy, the new AAC student representative. A long-standing member of SGA, he has served as a representative before.
Faculty brought two names to SGA for selection of the student position chosen by faculty for the Admissions, Honors and Retentions representative: Chelsea Bohr and Kate Wallin. The representative would not serve on SGA, but would serve on the AHR committee as another student voice.
In discussion, positive qualities of both candidates were brought out. Bohr has worked with admissions before, while Wallin has served in many positions on campus. Both are tutors on campus, will openly voice their opinions and are very personable. After much deliberation, as both were well-qualified candidates, Bohr was selected as the recommendation to the committee from SGA.
Homecoming court was another issue that circulated. SAC had removed it for a few reasons, including a lack of participation. A proposal brought up in discussion is to have a Mr. and Ms. Red Raider, much like “Mr. Red Raider” in years past. The concept is much like a pageant, with a focus on the speech and question side of the pageant. SGA will voice this to Lori Couch and SAC to get feedback, as it would also be a good fundraiser for the organization.
In other business, the TV in the cafeteria continues to be discussed. Originally, three TVs were purchased to display announcements: one in the cafeteria, one near the mailboxes, and one on the south side of the RSC. These were not SGA or SAC purchases, but rather part of the RSC building and concept. Currently, the TV in the cafeteria is the only one displaying announcements, while the other two are used for various purposes. The college hopes to have the other two set for announcements in the near future.
According to Lori Couch, Director of Student Activities, Northwestern originally installed the TV in the cafeteria to run advertisements for campus events, but when some students continually switched it to cable, the administration gave up until a new TV with channel-locking capabilities could be purchased.
Couch says that personnel changes, equipment challenges and budget restraints hindered the purchase of a new TV over the past four years. This year, the approval of a capital request finally permitted the purchase of a new TV.
“We want to present information in a natural environment. We’re not forcing it on anyone…[Students] can choose to engage or walk away,” Couch said.
To some students, the TV situation has been entirely inconsequential. Junior Steven Haarsma said, “I never really watched it in the first place. When I’m in the caf, I just eat.”
Senior Jacob Gastner has no qualms about only using the TV for announcements. “I don’t think [TV] is a necessary part of meal time…I think there’s been more interaction between people.”
SGA discussed the possibility of fundraising for a second TV in the cafeteria for students to watch other channels, including offering a dance or other activities on campus. This discussion was tabled for future meetings.
