The Observer, September 23, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 4
USG inaugurates new officers; sets goals for fall
On Tuesday Sept. 20, newly elected representatives from the fall 2005 elections were officially inaugurated as voting members of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) at 5:30 p.m. in Adelbert Hall. The class of 2006 treasurer as well as the first year class officers were also sworn in.
In last week's elections, 1160 students voted, which amounted to 30.3 percent of the total number of Case undergraduates. "Although I would have liked to have seen more people vote, this number is consistent with the average voter turnout in past elections," chair of the elections committee, Jim Garrison said.
The inauguration was also attended by Case administrators who congratulated the appointed members and discussed the upcoming semester with both new members and officers. Among the administrators was Vice President Glenn Nichols who presented a speech after new representatives were sworn in. USG's first full General Assembly meeting followed the inauguration.
During the meeting, unoccupied USG officer positions were filled. The executive position of Treasurer was presented to sophomore David Gasser, who ran unopposed. Senior Amelia Andrews was appointed the executive position of Secretary, which was held last year by junior Monica Reddy. Andrews also won the vote unopposed.
Senior Brian Latko was re-elected for the position of Director of Information Technology. Senior Shaan Ghandi was elected as Speaker of the House. The new position was created last year due to changes in the Constitution and By-laws.
The meeting also consisted of the voting on Bill 15-01. Authored by President Brian Sauer and Parliamentarian Adam Rupe, the bill recommended "that the Class Officer Collective appoint a liaison to the USG Executive Committee." This liason, however, would not have a vote in USG.
Discussions regarding the bill centered on whether this position was necessary considering almost all USG Executive Board meetings are open. Some members who spoke against the bill said that the class officers could send someone to the meetings without it being mandatory.
However, Secretary of the Class of 2008 Eric Johnson said that the USG and Class Officers would be brought closer together and that it would "give a voice to Class Officers and their programs." On another note, Latko said that the position might create a conflict of interest because the USG funds the class officers.
Bill 15-01 was voted down by the GA with a final tally of 12 for the bill, 19 against, and six abstentions.
Parliamentarian Adam Rupe and VP of Development Neil Ursic look forward to the new semester with different goals. Rupe will spend time this semester to make sure that the newly implemented representative system runs smoothly. He hopes to use veteran representatives to provide a smooth transition into the new system.
Ursic will continue to emphasize the importance of informing the student body of USG happenings. "Many students have a poor perception of USG," Ursic said. He also said that they will be working to solve the current issues with dining at Leutner where there is a large overflow. Improving the content on the plasma screen televisions around campus is another project that USG will be working on.
For full results from the fall 2005 election, go to http://usg.case.edu/elections/results-f05.php
