WSA looking forward to its own New Year’s resolutions

By Nate Coe

(Sarah Randall / Western Herald) President John Dunn welcomes WSA members back to school on Wednesday afternoon with a brief overview of events that took place over the holiday break.

Western Herald

President John Dunn was in attendance to speak at the Western Student Association’s first meeting of 2009 on Wednesday.

Along with the normal agenda, the WSA met to discuss goals for the new year and President Danielle Harik gave her State of the Senate address.

Dunn said his intention was to be short with his speech because his real desire was to answer any questions students wanted to ask.

“When I say this I’m very genuine about it because this is your university and I want you to feel that whether it’s in a class or in any campus setting, that we respect your input,” Dunn said.  “We’ll do the best to answer any question.”

As an example, Dunn, who has a social networking account on Facebook said he is always accepting new friend requests. He also mentioned the easiest way, and most personal, is to e-mail him at john.dunn@wmich.edu.

Dunn went on to address the current economic situation.

“On a more serious topic, having to do with where we are in the economy, it’s something we’re watching very closely in the state of Michigan as well as nationally,” he said.

Dunn emphasized that he along with WMU is doing everything possible to make sure that every student continues their education, despite the rise in food and housing costs and the increasing number of job layoffs.

“We will be working with the budget very, very carefully,” he said.

He also congratulated the women’s volleyball team for reaching the Sweet 16 and the men’s football team for their performance in the Texas Bowl.

When Dunn finished speaking, Harik delivered her State of the Senate speech, which included every cabinet of the government and their goals for the upcoming semester.

Harik said her goals were:

•Get more WMU gear in local businesses
•Put on a philanthropy event
•Diversify the senate
•Make sure student voices are heard

Vice President Andrew Crowe:

•Improve communication with students and within WSA

Public Relations Coordinator Jenny Steiner:

•Find more creative ways to promote WSA on campus
•Keep up retention within the WSA
•Continue and expand the WSA relationship with the Western Herald

Information Technology Coordinator Joseph Harder:

•Finish the WSA Web site
•Create clear documentation of WSA meetings online

Courtney Dunsmore of Student Affairs:

•Have forum with administration on grading scale
•More student concern surveys
•Create a neighborhood watch
•Continue the polar plunge

Spirit Committee Chair Stacey Nordstrand:

•Finish and distribute 100 points of pride
•Continue Western Wednesday
•Get more signatures in the pledge book

Speaker of the Senate Andrew Ladd:
•Have better communication with Registered Student Organizations
•Get more people to come to WSA meetings,
•Help with more resolutions

Treasurer Pete Mooney:
•Make sure WSA is financially sound

Casey Barrons of Campus Concerns:
•Keep resolutions coming
•Meet with administration more

Allocations Committee Chair Lindsey Jolliff:
•Set a price list of items to be funded
•Interpret data of funded RSOs

Michael Burkholz of Political Affairs:
•Create a speaker series with political RSOs pertinent to students
•Engage more political groups

Diversity Guidance Chair Zenaida Jiminez:
•Interact more with senators
•Reach out to RSO leaders and diverse groups

Alison Jayne was recently elected to the Allocations Committee. Pete Mooney was elected as Treasurer.
The next WSA meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 4:15 p.m. in room 157 of the Bernhard Center.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=3021

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Jan 8 2009. Filed under Campus, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com