The Bowdoin Orient

December 1, 2000
Volume CXXXII, Number 10

Congress plans for next semester

by Eric Chambers, STAFF WRITER

   Even in the midst of the stress surrounding the last few weeks of the semester, Student Government, comprised of both the Student Executive Board and the Student Congress, is already working on a number of initiatives to be presented next semester.
   These initiatives include the installation of change machines in on-campus laundry rooms, the establishment of a method to efficiently deliver student notifications of parking violations, the creation of an all-student photo directory (due out by the end of January), the institution of a pilot program allowing students to receive free issues of the New York Times, and the initiation of a "Professor of the Year" award chosen by students.
   In addition, the Government is working to expand the hours of the Sills Language Media Center, to increase the amount of non-credit courses available, and to create more twenty-four-hour study spaces and computer labs on campus.
   Long-term issues include sponsoring events and encouraging active student participation in social, political, and civic issues; strengthening relations between the College and the town of Brunswick; and working closely with the student aid office to help address student issues and problems that may arise.
   Jeffrey Favolise '01, chair of the Student Executive Board, said he is excited about the more active role the Student Government is taking this year with student issues.
   "We're focusing on tangible things, on places where students wish to see improvements. In doing this, we are both strengthening ourselves and the entire community."
    In addition to these initiatives, Student Government has already made several changes this semester. "This has been a fantastic year for the student government," Favolise said. "I couldn't be more pleased with all the things that are going on."
   Some of the major successful changes have included the promotion and financing of non-credit courses such as bartending and public speaking, the expansion of the hours of the Hawthorne-Longfellow Library, and the notification to the Bowdoin community of changes in parking policies in Brunswick.
    The Student Government has also initiated the Student Matters Committee, with the hope of encouraging students and faculty to voice their opinions about campus issues.
   The committee is central to a process that allows student grievances and suggestions to be heard and discussed by the Student Congress in a thorough and efficient manner.

Student Government has been working to change the hours of the Watson Fitness Center. (File Photo/Bowdoin Orient)