Many changes for the semester are in the works with the Park Student Government Association including a suspension of Friday bus transportation for students without cars.
During the fall semester, PSGA provided transportation every Friday through an OATS bus, which has been a way for students without a car to do any necessary shopping including buying groceries.
However, due to the cost of the bus and the number of students using it, this system of transportation is currently on hold and students will not see the bus at the entrance of McAfee Underground on Fridays.
PSGA senators are looking for feedback from students who used the bus transportation system.
Some suggestions were made at the organization’s first meeting, held Jan. 17, including a proposal for students to volunteer to drive and using Park University authorized vehicles. These ideas will be discussed at upcoming meetings.
“I expect a lot of changes this semester,” said Mika Mahyenga, president of PSGA and a senior economics major.
“All changes last year happened in spring. Spring is for action, fall is for training senators”
The Student Life Committee is currently focusing on the renovation of the basketball court next to Chesnut Hall.
The Research and Development Committee is also looking for possible volunteer work ideas including a possible fashion show.
“The Senate is very active,” said Teyana Miller, secretary of PSGA and a sophomore early childhood education major. “The goals are different in committees.”
Miller reminds Park students that PSGA wants to hear students’ voices in order to bring ideas to better Park University.
An important change that was heavily discussed in the fall is the current smoking policy. A survey was distributed to students last fall to gain feedback about a possible campus-wide ban on smoking.
“We are using the current (policy),” said Mahyenga. “The change of policy will probably occur in Fall 2014.”
Mahyenga also said a town hall meeting is in the works where senators will be present.
Students will be able to participate and submit questions via email, according to Mahyenga.
PSGA is also working to create magnets with important and helpful information.
“The activities on campus, locations, an easiest way for navigation,” Mahyenga said. “We are creating for the next year, for the next PSGA.”
The elections for Park Student Government Association for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year will happen later this semester and any undergraduate student is welcome to apply.
Look for more information in upcoming issues of The Stylus.