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Student Government is optimistic
 SCSU student body President Cory Lawrence and Vice President Rachel Hughes look forward to tackling goals this school year.
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Improving student advising is priority for the new student government president and vice president.
"People are taking the wrong classes and graduating late," said Student Government President Cory Lawrence. "This is the advisors responsibility; to show them what track they need to get through college in the least amount of time."
Lawrence, 23, is a fourth-year political science major from Spirit Lake, North Dakota.
Lawrence would like to require that advisors reach out to students.
Right now, students are supposed to meet with their advisor either in their major or in the advising center to get their access code before registering for classes. However, some advisors give out access codes over the phone and don't actually meet with students.
Lawrence would also like to implement required training for advisors.
In the past, advisors could go to open advising sessions. This year there will be more personalized training, said Steve Klepetar, faculty director of advising and an English professor,
"We want to create powerpoint presentations that are specific to every major," Klepetar said.
Instead of attending a scheduled session, advisors could view the powerpoint presentation when it fits their schedule.
The advising center has made some other recent changes to help things run smoothly.
Students with probation appointments will now receive a sheet explaining where they stand and what they need to do to get out of probation.
The six full time staff members at the advising center advise students with undecided majors or match them with an advisor in their department.
"Advisors need to have accurate information and students need to make the effort," Klepetar said. "If a student has an advisor who's not available or wants to change, we can assign them a new one or advise them here."
Lobbying legislation
Student Government would also like to push for students to get involved in lobbying state legislation. Specifically during Lobby Day, when students from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities go to the state capital and discuss their concerns with legislators.
Parking possibilities
One thing they're hoping will be in the bonding bills this year is an on-campus parking ramp.
In the past, state money was not available for parking ramps. However, Metro State and Minneapolis Community Technical College recently received funding for a joint parking ramp, Lawrence said.
"Now that the doors are open we can start lobbying," he said.
Possible locations are between Garvey and Health Services or at the old International Studies building. One current idea is to build a combined parking ramp and dormitory.
MGMs
Student Government Vice President Rachel Hughes would like to see credits abroad fill an MGM requirement.
Hughes, 22, is a fifth-year student majoring in earth science and community studies as well as secondary education licensure. She is from Fargo, North Dakota.
Getting Involved
More issues and ideas will come up as student government committees start meeting. Committees are made up of student senators and anyone else who would like to get involved. There are committees for fee allocation, cultural diversity and finances.
"It's a way to get involved in what's going on on campus," Hughes said.
Most committees meet once a week for an hour. Students can apply at the student government office in Atwood Memorial Center. The deadline is September 10.
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