SGO 087

SGO 087
Originally uploaded by quakerbaker03.

Serious about academics.

Aaron Baker & Co. centers around three things: We are serious about academics, down to business, and all about campus-wide community.

This post may appear to be lengthy, but contains a comprehensive plan that my cabinet and I will work toward.

Academics

Our school should become better known for our academic capabilities, but to do this Indiana Wesleyan should facilitate the following changes in regards to academics:

Jackson Library research databases must be expanded
If we want students and faculty to be known for scholarship, larger databases must be made available. In comparison with Ball State or Purdue, our library is woefully unequipped.

On-line class registration should be facilitated by the administration for increased efficiency and ease of student use.

Student Government should help the administration to better communicate with students
As SGO president, I would begin a new tradition of submitting a comprehensive report on the incoming freshman class worldview. An analysis of the culture from which new students are coming would help faculty to understand the cutting-edge culture aid professors to better relate a Biblical worldview to students.

Academic Free Night
The concept of an Academic Free Night includes eliminating all evening classes on one night and freeing the evening for academic opportunities such as guest lectures, presentations, and academic activities for all students. SGO has a legacy of working with administration for an academic free night.

May Term housing for athletes
Athletes receive free May Term housing under one condition- if they do not take classes. Athletes who already have to stay for the duration of May Term should not be penalized for taking classes. SGO is working to change this

Working with Katie Manning, the 2005-2006 Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Dr. Burton Webb, I have already begun to work for these changes. These ideas are feasible, but they require persistent student input, a trait that as Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Eric Bussis, is well equipped.

Down to Business

My cabinet brings 13 years of combined experience! This is a monumental number and represents countless connections that will be beneficial to connecting students to the administration. Thirteen years of experience is an impossible number for my opposition to overcome. We also bring three years of cabinet-level experience and this will enableenabling a smooth, professional transition of SGO leadership. I feel comfortable saying that experience is an area in which we far outpace our opponents.

My cabinet is well-connected and well-known. They are a valuable resource for all students: fFull of hop-skip connections to faculty, staff, and peers alike., in that members of my cabinet know unlikely people, this is a valuable resource for all students.

We have a legacy to fulfill. The traditions started by the Ashley Humphries Administration must be continued. This year has been a building year for SGO with new traditions, such as School Spirit Week and the Christmas Tree Lighting occurring for the first time. Building on these concepts will create a larger sense of continuity for our campus environment. We are committed to building upon ideas and objectives already that are still in progress, in order to create a larger sense of continuity for our campus environment.

Campus-wide Community

Revitalization of Homecoming
If we expect to be proud of our university and return in the future as proud alumni, we must be proud of the memories we create, and this largely includes homecoming. Homecoming means little to current students and this creation of future problems must be stemmed now.

I have already begun working on this by requested funding to reinvigorate the torch run, a long-standing Indiana Wesleyan tradition. And I have also requested funding for a new tradition- a homecoming concert venue.

Dr. Henry Smith has tapped me to serve as the student representative on his Inaugural Committee.

Inauguration will coincide with next year’s homecoming on the first weekend of October. SGO must be on their feet to present a unified expression of school spirit and tradition. Working with Dr. and Mrs. Smith, plans have begun on activities that will link the student body with our administration.

School Spirit
School Spirit on the athletic front must be better engaged. Working with SAC, concerned athletes, and SGO, I took a central role in the leadership of School Spirit Week during the end of January. This level of team work proves SGO’s ability to work with other organizations not even under SGO direction. During School Spirit Week, we were able to work with administrators to publicize school spirit day to the faculty as well as students. Giving away 70 tickets during the girl’s game against Taylor for the guy’s game at Taylor led school spirit to a new high as students showed tremendous school spirit at such a pivotal game. Not only that, but students were at Taylor as the track team ran next door, giving both teams support. Building on the momentum of school spirit must be an SGO focus.

Fostering New School Spirit
Working with Jade Williams and Myca Brusco, two outstanding athletic leaders, I plan to develop a new organization for next year that will encompass all sports and will facilitate a growing student movement to support our athletes.
School spirit is commonly defined by athletics, and SGO should foster school spirit by developing a bi-annual school spirit week in the spring and fall.

Campus-Wide ID Cards
As Vice-President of Student Development, Courtney Redman will be working with the administration to develop a new ID card for the students that would serve as a normal debit card, food-service card, and serve to do normal tasks in the dorm, such as compatibility with washers and dryers, which would eliminate any need for change machines around campus. This is feasible, but requires persistence and student perspective.

Campus Security
With a recent rash of car break-ins, Student Government has been working with administration in installing security cameras around campus. There is no price too high for student security and we pledge to work toward this end.

I have not only met with the administration, I have already begun working with them! For me to propose ideas that have not already been pursued would be ludicrous because of my current cabinet-level in SGO. My cabinet and I seek to continue this endeavor.

Thank you considering for your support for this clearof Aaron Baker & Co. and our agenda on March 27,

Aaron

Aaron Baker & Co. 

My name is Aaron Baker and I'm running for Student Government President. SGO leads the student body efficiently and effectively, and being a part of this year’s cabinet has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. Impact is what I work toward. This year with the help of SAC and athletes, I’ve been able to stimulate school spirit, and recently completed: http://wildcat.indwes.edu/SGO/index.html SGO’s new website.

When I ran for Vice-President of University Advancement with Ashley Humphries, my major concern for student government was a lack of communication. Students this year have had the chance to attend construction forums, meet administrators in casual forum, speak out at the chapel talk-back session, and have had multiple chances to meet the President Ashley Humphries and her cabinet. The accomplishments of 2005-2006 have been great, but more is still to be done.

I take pleasure in announcing my cabinet:

Aaron Baker- President
Mark Becker- Executive Vice-President
Eric Bussis- Vice-President of Academics
Carrie Longman- Vice-President of Financial Affairs
Courtney Redman- Vice-President of Student Development
Sara Westafer- Vice-President of University Advancement
Brooke Taets- Secretary
Brian Episcopo- Senate Chair
Joel Barnes- Campaign Chair

These are the most qualified students on campus, all with bright personalities. These are hop-skip connections to administration and have the necessary communication and leadership skills combined with bright personalities needed to face the challenges of next year.

Next year brings a new administration to Indiana Wesleyan University, and I’m not just taking about SGO, I’m speaking of a new university president and several new vice-presidents as well. Student Government must be unified to present student perspectives and as the university grows at landmark pace.

We are concerned about academics. Indiana Wesleyan University must be known for academics, not just a great spiritual and social environment.

We are serious about getting down to business. We have thirteen years of combined experience! Administrations before us have unfinished business and we have the knowledge base to move forward.

We are committed to campus-wide community. School Spirit must be built and students must take pride in our university’s commitment to traditional and applicable values in today’s world.

Aaron Baker & Co.
Serious about Academics, down to Business, and committed to campus-wide Community