Published: Thursday, April 11, 2013

Published: Thursday, March 14, 2013

Published: Thursday, February 28, 2013

Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

The Student Government Association will sponsor a firearms forum in the Marshall University Memorial Student Center.

Robert Bookwalter, dean of the college of education, will lead the panel discussion about recent crimes in the area, police response, current gun regulations and the history of gun rights in America. The panel members will consist of Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, Chief of Campus Police Jim Terry, Marshall University Faculty and members of the State Legislature.

Adam Fridley, the SGA chief of staff, said there would be a question and answer session for students and members of the audience to ask questions or give general feedback after the panel discussion.

“It’s important to provide an opportunity to get feedback before making a decision that will affect our campus and student body,” Fridley said.
Steve Hensley, dean of student affairs, said he supports the open forum format.

“I think the student government is better off debating and talking about issues in an open forum,” Hensley said. “Talking about issues is a good way to learn, understand and share our points of view.”

Hensley said he thinks the role of student government is to promote an interchange of ideas.

“We held a discussion on tobacco where people came to express their views for student government to consider when making a decision,” Hensley said. “Some were happy and some weren’t happy, but everyone got an opportunity to express their views and I think that’s what a democracy is all about.”

John Price, senior political science major, said he is glad the forum is taking place.

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View the entire story here: http://www.marshallparthenon.com/sga-students-prepare-for-firearm-forum-1.2811685#.UW1lKbU71yY

Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Marshall University veterans met in the Shawkey Room of the Student Center Tuesday to learn more about service-connected compensation and how to receive the most benefits.

Dustin Murphy, Student Government Association veteran’s affairs liaison, organized the event. Murphy, an Iraq war veteran, knows firsthand how difficult and confusing it can be for veterans filing a claim with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
“I wanted to do this because, honestly, it took me filing two or three years to become the percentage I am at now — 50 percent service connected,” Murphy said. “It is one of those things that didn’t come overnight.”

According to the VA department website, service-connected compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to veterans with disabilities brought on by injury or disease incurred while on active duty.

Douglas Woodard, a national service officer with Paralyzed Veterans of America and a graduate of Marshall, led the discussion. The PVA is a non-profit organization was started in 1946 and assists veterans with disabilities and their families.

Woodard, a veteran of the Navy, said the initiative to help soldiers when they come back home started with Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address after the Civil War.

“In his speech he stated, ‘To care for him who shall have worn the battle,’” Woodard said. “He was talking about veterans.”

Murphy said there are many benefits for students who are veterans at Marshall and in West Virginia, but many don’t know about them. Many benefits also require a service-connected compensation at 20 percent or higher, so it is also important veterans learn how to file a claim.

“When a veteran is on active duty, regardless of the time period, if he or she incurs or aggravates a disease or injury, that veteran can receive monetary compensation for the duration of their life if it is deemed to be a chronic condition,” Woodard said.

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View the entire story here: http://www.marshallparthenon.com/veterans-at-marshall-learn-how-to-receive-compensation-for-injuries-1.2811970#.UW1j0rU71yY

Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Student Government Association will reach out to the student body to fill 43 empty seats in the Student Senate.

The SGA is made up of the executive branch, the student senate and the Senate Apprenticeship Program. According to their website, anyone who is not a first semester freshman can apply and fill a senate seat. First semester freshman must apply and complete the Senate Apprenticeship Program first.

“Either way, we still need students to know how important it is to be represented in student government,” E.J. Hassan, president pro tempore, said.

The requirements for joining can be found on the SGA website.

“It is easier than ever to sign up for student senate,” Hassan said. “Especially now, with the new website and all applications being online.”

Nick Chancey, parliamentarian and chairman of the judiciary committee, said the idea of the student senate is to have all students from all colleges on campus represented.

“By not filling those seats, the student body does not get represented,” Chancey said. “And by not representing people in the student body, we can not effectively serve them.”

Cassie Smith, a communication disorders major, said she never thought about joining the student senate because she is already part of other clubs and organizations.

“I am secretary of NSSLHA, an organization in my major,” Smith said. “Between that and my schoolwork, I don’t think I’d have enough time to add something else to my plate.”

Hassan and Chancey both said they realize the SGA is not the only organization on campus and do not want to discourage students from joining clubs they are most interested in.

“I just want students to realize that the student senate provides the opportunity for students to change their campus,” Hassan said. “Even if you have a lot going on, or you’re not interested — maybe you have a friend that might want to join.”

Hassan said communication is key when it comes to making things work.

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View the entire story here: http://www.marshallparthenon.com/student-senate-searches-for-students-to-fill-empty-seats-1.2810404#.UW1lxbU71yY

Published: Monday, February 11, 2013

With the passing of the Tobacco Free Policy, Marshall University is one step closer to becoming tobacco free.

The executive committee approved the recommendation Monday for the next Faculty Senate agenda.

The proposed policy, drafted by the Student Government Association, will eliminate the use of all tobacco products on Marshall’s campus. The banned items including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, e-cigarettes, dip, pipes, cigars, cigarillos, hookah or waterpipe smoking and snuss. The policy would apply to all students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors and visitors on campus indoors and outdoors.

EJ Hassan, student president pro-tempore, said he supported the policy during the meeting and that Stephen Kopp, university president, commissioned a committee to draft the policy.

“We looked at a lot of data from past assessment days and from when faculty was assessed about this,” Hassan said.  “It seemed there was an overwhelming majority of both students and faculty that were in support of a campus wide tobacco ban.”

Last year’s assessment day results showed 71 percent of students and 74 percent of faculty would like a tobacco-free campus.

Wendy Trzyna, committee member of the College of Science, said she was in favor of the policy.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Trzyna said. “I’m glad it’s finally happening.”

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View the entire story here: http://www.marshallparthenon.com/tobacco-free-policy-moves-to-faculty-senate-1.2809758#.UW1mkrU71yY

Published: Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Student Government Association at Marshall University will be going digital with a new website that includes senate seat applications, funding applications for groups and organizations on campus and an archive of the SGA meeting minutes.

“The website was already created,” EJ Hassan, president pro-tempore, said. “I helped to revamp it to provide more services for the student body.”

Hassan played a big role in preparing the website. He said he spent all summer making the website available for use during the 2012 fall semester. Both senate applications and funding applications are now submitted online.

“This is important because now the only way you can apply for funding is through the website,” Hassan said. “Before, there was a lot of unnecessary paperwork and this helps to streamline the process so groups and organizations on campus can get their money faster.”

Another new feature the website offers is an archive of documents.

“The student body can now see what the senate is doing,” Hassan said. “What’s on the agenda for the coming week, what we did last week, what was approved and what was denied. Anything they need to know about the senate is now on the website.”

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View the entire story here: http://www.marshallparthenon.com/sga-revamps-website-goes-digital-1.2805482#.UW1nGrU71yY

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Marshall University Student Government Association is offering a stress relief promotion for students during finals week.

To enter, students must like the Marshall University Student Government Association Facebook page and share one of their promo statuses between Monday and Thursday.

“Myself and the entire Executive Cabinet here at Student Government wanted to let the student body know that we understand the stress that finals have on all of us,” Andrew Frobel, Marshall University Student Government Association press secretary, said.

Ray Harrell Jr., Marshall University student body president, said the promotion was also created to drive more traffic to the Student Government Association Facebook page so that more students can stay connected to all of the things happening in the organization.

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View the entire story here: http://www.marshallparthenon.com/sga-offers-students-a-stress-relief-promotion-1.2802369#.UW1nuLU71yY

Published: Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Marshall University Student Government Association is hosting a raffle to benefit the United Way Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Memorial Student Center.

Aja Smith, Marshall University student body vice president, said tickets cost $1 for one ticket or $5 for six tickets.

“All of the raffle money will go toward our goal of raising $35,000 for United Way, proceeds from the t-shirts also go to this goal.” Smith said. “More importantly, we’re trying to raise awareness for United Way, and increase participation in our campaign.”

Students, staff and community members can also donate to United Way by purchasing a T-shirt or hooded sweatshirt.

Jaye Ike, Chair of the United Way committee at Marshall University, emphasized the importance of United Way in the community.

“When you give to United Way, you’re spreading your money across many agencies and programs in our community,” Ike said. “The agencies are vetted by volunteers, so that you know your money is going to the most important and viable programs.”

United Way of the River Cities supports programs and strategies that address problems in our region.

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View the entire story here: http://www.marshallparthenon.com/sga-hosting-raffle-to-benefit-united-way-1.2800291#.UW1oKLU71yY