University Chronicle Extras:
Movies
|
Rate a Pic
|
Horoscopes
|
Career
|
Scholarships
|
Travel
|
GradZone
News
Briefly
Calendar of Events
Commentary
Sports
Diversions
World News
Classifieds
Login
Letter Submission
Search
Archive
Publishing Policy
Mail Subscriptions
St. Cloud State University
College Publisher
Home
>
News
Lawrence, Hughes reflect
By Adam Hammer
Published:
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Media Credit: Adam Hammer
Rachel Hughes and Cory Lawrence recall many issues and accomplishments as student government vice president and president. The Free Ride program they worked on is one of their many initiatives.
There are many teams that sport the Husky logo on campus, but in many ways the student government team of president Cory Lawrence and vice president Rachel Hughes have accomplished much more than SCSU's sporting organizations.
Lawrence and Hughes were at the head of a student organization that helped put the Metro Transit Commission (MTC) Free Ride program in order and let the Minnesota State Universities Student Association (MSUSA) know that SCSU will not remain unheard by the organization.
"I think Cory and I really worked well as a team this year," Hughes said. "We balanced each other out."
Lawrence is an easy going individual, while Hughes needs order, she said.
"I definitely don't think I could have done this without her handling all the day-to-day operations," Lawrence said.
Lawrence said that in the beginning of the year, their relationship was based more on business, but acknowledges that it has turned into more of a friendship.
"You can't work this close to someone for a year without creating a friendship," Lawrence said. "I mean we haven't killed each other yet."
Although laid back and generally calm, Lawrence was skilled at the administrative table and not afraid to ask pointed questions.
"He never let the administration get away easy. He always had a question for them," Hughes said.
Lawrence's ability to deliberate especially showed through during meetings with MSUSA.
The university's relationship with MSUSA has been on the ropes for years, but this year, the student government has accomplished more than in the past, Hughes said.
In November, the student government proposed a referendum to withdraw from MSUSA and the student body voted in favor. The opposition to further participate in the state organization peaked during the Delegates Assembly in Bloomington March 28.
Lawrence made a decision for SCSU's delegates to leave the open forum and after attending the executive sessions, an alliance was formed with Minnesota State University-Mankato.
The two largest universities in MSUSA joined together and protested the organization with a walkout during the Delegates Assembly.
The student government association at SCSU is currently withholding funds from MSUSA until some changes are made in the organization.
SCSU's contributions constitute an estimated $179,000 per year for MSUSA. As of July 1, MSUSA will not have a budget for next year and will be forced to shut down its operations.
"We do have an upper hand here and the students voices are going to get heard," Lawrence said.
For the referendum to pass in the fall elections at SCSU, eight percent of the student population had to vote. That percentage has been three or four percent in past years, but this year was closer to nine percent in both fall and spring elections.
"It shows that if students know what's going on they will come out and vote," Hughes said.
Hughes said much of that knowledge was passed on to voters by the student government's efforts to promote the issues and inform the student body.
The driving force behind Hughes and the student government's actions was the theme 'use your voice'," she said.
Lawrence and Hughes were also the driving force in working directly with executive director of MTC, Dave Tripp to make the Free Ride program available for students in the future.
Although making only a dent in the parking problem at SCSU, the institution of the Free Ride program has helped alleviate the congestion.
In an interview in March, Lawrence said the accomplishment of Free Ride will be one for him to remember.
"I think a lot of times at the end of the year, student government will look back and say, 'What did we actually accomplish?'" Lawrence said. "This is actually something I can look back at and say, 'We got this done,' so I'm pretty happy with it."
While elected leaders of the student government, Lawrence and Hughes are not bashful about recognizing the efforts of the student senate and the rest of the government participants.
"Especially thanks to all those who helped us out," Hughes said in regards to the voters, the administration and "all the hard-working individuals on the student senate."
The accomplishments of this year's student government have been planted firmly in the history of SCSU and will hopefully continue to grow under the direction of president elect Hal Kimball and vice president elect Bianca Rhodes.
"I think it's (president and vice president) one of those things you go into it with all these ideas and when you get in there, you're kind of limited," Hughes said. "I hope that the people after us continue to produce change."
Forum:
No comments have been posted for this story.
Post a comment
