It is my pleasure to announce that I will be seeking re-election to the Student Association General Assembly as a Delegate for the Class of 2011. Over the past two years I have had the distinction of serving our class as Student Life Senator, Acting Class President, Liaison to the Dean of Students, and Chairman of the Student Life Committee. In my time on Student Government I have not backed down from the controversial, pressing issues facing the students at CUA. The Student Association General Assembly is designed as a body that can tackle these issues in a deliberative and thoughtful manner, brining about tangible change for the student body.
It would be an honor to continue serving the Class of 2011 in the General Assembly and I look forward to earning your support in the coming weeks. The election will take place on March 26th from 9am to 9pm, with voting stations located in the Pryz Atrium as well as online at vote.cua.edu. Speeches will be held for all classes on the evening of March 24th and I encourage all of you to attend. Campaign materials will be available shortly and can be procured through the facebook group. Thank you all for your time and your continued support.
Sincerely,
Ryan Winn
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Building a Tradition of Responsible Representation
Over the past year The Student Association has nearly completed the first session the General Assembly. Although this year has been rough in spots SAGA has taken the first step in ensuring that Students have a voice in the affairs of the University and are properly represented. It is my sincere belief that every student at CUA deserve to be heard and to have a legitimate opportunity to influence the policies of this University. This process cannot be accomplished in one year, but instead will take concerted effort. The time put in by the General Assembly is simply a first step, in the coming year it will take increased input from students to drive the development of the Student Association as a legitimate and effective governing body for students, student organizations on campus. Together we can make a difference, we can make the student body a serious determinant of policy at CUA.
Record 2008-2009
The first meeting of the General Assembly brought about discussion and debate on many of the most pressing issues facing students at The Catholic University of America. For my part I served as Chairman of the Student Life Committee, which consists of 18 of the 28 delegates, and liaison to the Dean of Students Jonathan Sawyer.
In addition I sponsored three bills that were passed into law making me the most active legislator on the Assembly. The bills I sponsored are listed below.
1. Increasing the visibility of SAGA liaisons- this will make it mandatory for every office we represent that will have a placard with the photo, name, and information of the liaison that serves this office. This bill will take effect next year and will allow the student body to have a point of contact if an issue arises in a given office. This bill was passed unanimously.
2. DVD Rental Machine- this bill allows SAGA to place a funding request for a "Redbox" DVD Rental Machine for the Pryz. This bill is currently being implemented and should be ready for purchase by next year.
3. Get Out the Vote Resolution- this resolution affirms SAGA's dedication to ensuring fairness and participation in the forthcoming elections and all future elections.
*Two bills will be introduced at the next meeting of the General Assembly. Both are intended to increase the transparency of student government, especially SFAB, in order to open the lines of communication between the Student Association and the Student Body. One of these motions will directly address the concerns raised my members of the Student Body and the other will consist of an address to the Student Body by the Speaker of the Assembly.
Furthermore, I voted in favor of:
the SAGA bylaws
The Student Bill of Rights
The SAGA Rules of Debate and Decorum
Increasing Library Hours
Also I maintained three office hours per week, fought for increased oversight in SFAB, and served as Editor of the SAGA newsletter.
In addition I sponsored three bills that were passed into law making me the most active legislator on the Assembly. The bills I sponsored are listed below.
1. Increasing the visibility of SAGA liaisons- this will make it mandatory for every office we represent that will have a placard with the photo, name, and information of the liaison that serves this office. This bill will take effect next year and will allow the student body to have a point of contact if an issue arises in a given office. This bill was passed unanimously.
2. DVD Rental Machine- this bill allows SAGA to place a funding request for a "Redbox" DVD Rental Machine for the Pryz. This bill is currently being implemented and should be ready for purchase by next year.
3. Get Out the Vote Resolution- this resolution affirms SAGA's dedication to ensuring fairness and participation in the forthcoming elections and all future elections.
*Two bills will be introduced at the next meeting of the General Assembly. Both are intended to increase the transparency of student government, especially SFAB, in order to open the lines of communication between the Student Association and the Student Body. One of these motions will directly address the concerns raised my members of the Student Body and the other will consist of an address to the Student Body by the Speaker of the Assembly.
Furthermore, I voted in favor of:
the SAGA bylaws
The Student Bill of Rights
The SAGA Rules of Debate and Decorum
Increasing Library Hours
Also I maintained three office hours per week, fought for increased oversight in SFAB, and served as Editor of the SAGA newsletter.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
CUA Students for Increased Student Activities
If you would like to join the movement towards increased student activities at CUA please visit http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=66837696257 and join the facebook group.
The Case for Increasing the Student Activity Fee
As most of you have heard by now the Student Association General Assembly has passed legislation by a vote of 19-1 and later 17-1 that will bring the issue of raising the Student Activity and Club Sports Fee to a vote of the entire Student Body. The legislation proposed by Delegate Joseph Manning increases the fee from $75 dollars a semester to $100 dollars a semester. This increase of $50 will give Student Organizations an additional $150,000 to use for programming. This will raise the total amount available to Student Org's from $430,000 a year to nearly $600,000.
The Student Activity and Club Sports Fee has not been increased since 2001. In 2001 $75 had the buying power that today would be carried by $96.44. Furthermore in 2001 there where almost half as many organizations applying for funding as there are today. This increase is simply a cost of living adjustment to ensure that our Student Organizations, the life blood of Student Life here at CUA, have the resources to provide the best quality programming out there on any college campus. Currently CUA students pay the lowest student activity fee in the District of Columbia with other Universities paying at least $100 a semester. Furthermore in comparison to other similarly sized universities CUA students pay nearly $37 dollars less per semester. All in all this proposed increase is simply designed to keep CUA competitive in terms of on campus student programming.
The Student Activity and Club Sports Fee is unique in that it is the only money CUA students pay each year that goes directly to the Student Body, by way of the Student Organizations, for student use. Any member of a Student Organization can tell you that there is simply not enough funding for all 80 organizations on campus. It is essential for the numerous interests and views held by CUA students to be represented and the organizations to prosper. Choosing to not support this increase is tantamount to punishes student organizations for their success and there ability to shoot higher with their programming. We tell our students to aim big and now with your vote on March 26th you can tell them shoot even higher.
I ask you to stand with me on this pressing issue facing the CUA community. Often times it is easy to criticize the administration for every shortcoming at this University, and sometimes the blame does lie with them. However if we choose to oppose this increase, because times are too tough, because it is not our problem, or because we simply do not care enough then the blame will lie with us alone. Lets take a stand, lets say that sometimes what is right is not easy and I truly believe the University administration will look upon the Student Body with a renewed respect. Many of you have incredible visions for this school, and your respective groups. Let this be a first time to achieving those visions.
Thank you,
Ryan Winn
The Student Activity and Club Sports Fee has not been increased since 2001. In 2001 $75 had the buying power that today would be carried by $96.44. Furthermore in 2001 there where almost half as many organizations applying for funding as there are today. This increase is simply a cost of living adjustment to ensure that our Student Organizations, the life blood of Student Life here at CUA, have the resources to provide the best quality programming out there on any college campus. Currently CUA students pay the lowest student activity fee in the District of Columbia with other Universities paying at least $100 a semester. Furthermore in comparison to other similarly sized universities CUA students pay nearly $37 dollars less per semester. All in all this proposed increase is simply designed to keep CUA competitive in terms of on campus student programming.
The Student Activity and Club Sports Fee is unique in that it is the only money CUA students pay each year that goes directly to the Student Body, by way of the Student Organizations, for student use. Any member of a Student Organization can tell you that there is simply not enough funding for all 80 organizations on campus. It is essential for the numerous interests and views held by CUA students to be represented and the organizations to prosper. Choosing to not support this increase is tantamount to punishes student organizations for their success and there ability to shoot higher with their programming. We tell our students to aim big and now with your vote on March 26th you can tell them shoot even higher.
I ask you to stand with me on this pressing issue facing the CUA community. Often times it is easy to criticize the administration for every shortcoming at this University, and sometimes the blame does lie with them. However if we choose to oppose this increase, because times are too tough, because it is not our problem, or because we simply do not care enough then the blame will lie with us alone. Lets take a stand, lets say that sometimes what is right is not easy and I truly believe the University administration will look upon the Student Body with a renewed respect. Many of you have incredible visions for this school, and your respective groups. Let this be a first time to achieving those visions.
Thank you,
Ryan Winn
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