The Student Government Association started its meeting on Nov.15 with guest speaker Kristen Garrison, associate vice president for undergraduate education and assessment. Garrison introduced the First-Year Experience model created by the First-year Task Force, made up of members representing students, faculty, staff and administrators.

The FYE is a package that puts together academic works with student activities and support to help freshmen acclimate better here on campus. The FYE will have learning communities, which are collaborative efforts between two faculty professors who will link their core courses and create three assignments that integrate content from both courses. It will also have an academic seminar each spring semester emphasizing research and/or creative activities assignments. Students are required to attend a guest lecture on creative work and multidisciplinary research as well as a spring Undergraduate Research and Creativity Activity Forum. 

“We wanted the FYE to be an opportunity for everyone,” Garrison said. “We are not going to make it a mandatory. The FYE is not going to be a hoop everyone must jump through. We will inform students and  let them decide.”

Garrison after explaining the model to the student senators asked for any input and questions about the First-Year Experience. An important question asked afterwards was how it will affect transfer students. While the FYE lacks any talk of transfer students, Garrison said she was graceful for the question and will talk with other members of the FYTF about the situation. 

“It’s great. She’s taking the model to different groups for improvement,” Keith Lamb, vice president for student affairs, said. “I’m glad MSU is talking about the First-Year Experience. It’s strongly related to student satisfaction, education, and graduation.”

SGA representatives asked a few question about the basics of how it would work. Andrew Mckissick, computer science junior, said he understood the reason behind expanding the first-year experience for freshman even though his first-year was fine.

“I don’t think it will hurt the small class feeling,” Mckissick said. “It might even help it, having something that haves you work with more people in your class is a good thing.”

COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN

Lamb then introducing the Comprehensive Campaign. A seven-year campaign to raise $50 million.  At CSC Comanche on Thursday at 8 a.m. administrators will host an open forum on proprieties for the campaign.

“We want as broad as an input as possible,” Lamb said. “The more people the better.”

SGA goals for next semester:

• monthly SGA newsletter
• monthly late dinner with SGA
• Go Green Campaign
• care packages for the troops
• printers in Legacy Hall
• more food options
• discount card for students
• handicap ramp in Pierce Courtyard.