The Michigan Times

Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Campus

Media Credit: Tim Jagielo Amber Horton, a sophomore criminal justice major, likes that students are participating. She would like to see more scholarships for non-traditional students and more dining hall options. She doesn't like not being able to see the food before you pay. "You can't go in unless you pay," she said.

The concerns were many.

"We should feel safer," said Rebecca LeMay, a junior social work student, citing the near robbery two weeks ago.

"[We need] more outside lights," said Justin Viers, a freshman finance major.

These concerns and about 250 others were given to the Student Government Council through "Mobile SGC," the brainchild of Krystal Long, director of student relations for Student Government.

"We're trying to make this campus better," Long said. "You can't do that without student opinion."

Anecdotally, awareness of SGC on campus is low, with students answering the M-Times' "Burning Question" this week with little knowledge of student government. Long was looking for a way to raise awareness of SGC among students, especially at the William S. White Building, and she sees the Mobile SGC tables as a way to achieve this.

Tables were set up, staffed by SGC members at noon Feb. 26, near the high-traffic area of Clint's Café, third floor University Center. Booming hip-hop music and free pizza drew students in.

"We're trying to get students aware of SGC," said Adrian Mathews, a junior history major, and SGC representative.

Students filled out a "Student Concern Form" with issues they would like SGC to tackle. Freshman nursing major Jessica Brown would like to see more trips for students out of state, "just to travel," she said.

After filling out the form, students received a t-shirt voucher, to be redeemed at the SGC office, also on the third floor in the UCEN. The t-shirts are black, and read, "Shut up or Blog," like the maize shirts for SGC members. They are attempting to draw students to the "Student Concerns" blog connected to the SGC homepage to give students a place to voice his or her issues. LeMay said she would probably use the blog.

"[SGC] should encourage people to get ready for careers during college," said Jessica Rakowicz, undeclared freshman. She thinks students should be encouraged to build a portfolio while in college.

By 1 p.m., students approaching the table had consumed 30 pizzas and filled out "a lot" of forms, said Andrea Beaulieu, a clinical psychology major and representative for the SGC. She wore a yellow "Blog or Shut-up" t-shirt with others running the Mobile SGC booth. She said she'd like to see a Mobile SGC table once a month.

As of 2:15, there was no exact student count, but a flood of students just leaving class from the Murchie Science Building quickly brought the booth back to life.

"More variety of food, more activities at different times for non-traditional students," said Trisha Monroe, a freshman business major. "More students involved in 'The Tree' activities," said Thomas Westcoat, a freshman business major. He'd like the SGC to act on any Christian beliefs they may have.

When mobile SGC closed down at 4 p.m., they had only used up about half of their t-shirts, said Long, who would like to hold another event to get out the remaining t-shirts.

The blog may be found at http://blogs.umflint.edu/studentconcerns/

Tim can be reached at tijagiel@umflint.edu

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