By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief
Although the first Students’ Association meeting Wednesday passed without any official business, executive president Layne Rouse said he has plenty to be excited about.
Looking back on his first semester as president, Rouse said he is proud of what Congress was able to accomplish for the students.
“It’s been exciting to watch Congress catch a hold of the idea they can make a difference on campus,” Rouse said.
To make his point, Rouse points to Congress members successfully petitioning to have The WB television station added to campus cable and working with the administration to have the Sikes Hall parking lot connected to the Williams Performing Arts Center lot.
Looking to this semester, Rouse said Congress has at least one overarching theme-transition.
“Congress is catching on to the idea that it’s not just a year they’re working on-they’ll be handing on the baton to future congresses,” Rouse said.
Some of the main projects SA already is involved with will be projects begun but not completed by this Congress.
Rouse said SA is working on a plan to be involved with Project Abilene, in which students will be able to be involved with the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Although the actual project might not begin this semester, Rouse said SA should have a plan to present to students this semester.
Rouse said he will also continue working with administrators to build the foundation for a leadership minor-an idea he began discussing with Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, provost, during the summer.
Rounding out projects and goals for SA this semester, Rouse said Congress will continue to brainstorm for a Center for Student Involvement-a central place on campus where students could go to find ways to be involved with the university.
Right now, SA’s main focus lies on Sunday’s Invision, a dinner for student groups and leaders to meet together. Rouse said the theme for this dinner will also center around transition and helping student groups prepare to pass leadership to future classes.
