The Observer, January 26, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 14
USG Briefs
USG President Neil Ursic welcomed the USG assembly back to Case. He gave a report regarding the hiring of Barbara Snyder as Case President. Neil was on the committee that interviewed the candidates for the position. He said that she "stood out" from the field.
Myles Nickolich, VP of Development, reported that as of Tuesday evening 1079 votes had been cast regarding the smoking referendum, exceeding 20 percent participation of undergraduates. Polling closes at midnight tonight.
Matt Crowley, IT Director, reported that a new USG website will be available sometime in the next few weeks. The website will feature video and document archives of USG. A website based financial system is also being tested and finalized.
Adam Rupe, VP of Public Relations, yielded to Representative Ahmad, who reported that the Public Relations Committee will be marketing to raise awareness of the 2007-2008 USG positions.
Rupe has been appointed chair of an ad hoc committee that will plan the spring USG retreat.
Dustin Fisher, VP of Academic Affairs, reported that he had met with Dean Jeffery Wolcowitz about reorganizing the study abroad program.
David Gasser, VP of Finance, reported that there was about $45,000 left in the USG budget from the Fall 2006 semester. The rollover was due to student organizations spending less than their budget.
Most of the rollover is to be added to this semester's student organization budget. The extra money will be used to fund student groups that may have been denied money in the past.
The USG Spring 2007 budget was presented. Due to the extra $45,000 the USG budget was larger than normal: $165,000. $136,000 (72.8 percent) of the budget is going to organizations outside of USG. $28,400 (17.2 percent) of the budget will go to internal USG expenses.
$15,000 of the internal USG budget is to be spent on the one-time expense of USG office renovation. Renovations had been discussed in May 2006. However, the renovations have not been started, because of the inability to retain an architect.
The budget was tabled. It is expected to be voted on next week.
Currently, there are five open representative seats in USG: one for Cedar Residential College, one for Juniper Residential College, one for the Nursing program, and two for the Engineering program.
Katie Hanna, Health Advocate of the Women's Center, introduced herself to the USG body. She reported on two Women's Center programs this semester; the International Women's Group, and the Multicultural Women's Group. Katie also noted that she is available for individual, confidential counseling sessions. Email: katie.hanna@case.edu
Marcus Hitt and Casey Gatz, field representatives from Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), made a presentation to USG. They stated that this semester they would be recruiting brothers to reopen a FIJI chapter at Case. The FIJI house on Bellflower Road is expected to be occupied by the upcoming the Fall 2007 semester.
