SGA Debuts Open Forum Format

By Michael Youmans
Rotunda ReporterLast Thurs., Oct. 22, the Student Government Association (SGA) held an open forum in the Lankford Student Union Ballroom, where representatives from Campus Police and Public Safety, Aramark Dining Services, Residential and Commuter Life (RCL), and the Office of Honor and Judicial Affairs were present.

Director of Dining Services Grant Avent told those present the latest things that Aramark has going on and how feedback from students is the absolute key to their success. Avent said, "We like to hear from the students, and get and kind of communication back from you guys whether it's positive or negative, it all helps us do a better job for you guys." He also spoke of Longwood's new program one can buy a reusable tray for two dollars to continue supporting sustainability.

Associate Director of Housing Doug Howell updated the forum on housing. "We've got a full house this fall and we're moving very quickly into the semester.some of the things we have on the agenda.is going to occur in two weeks," Howell said. During the first week of November, RCL is asking students to submit their spring semester intentions. These students include those who are student teaching, studying abroad or doing internships out of town, as well as students who will be leaving campus for other reasons. Students will also be asked to submit changes to their meal plans or housing arrangements. "We'll have more advertisements coming next week; it'll be a simple online form that we've used starting last year about that same week, so we're excited to be able to get student intentions." Howell also said registration for students who will be on campus during Thanksgiving Break will also be available soon, and RCL requests that students who are staying to register so they have a record of the students staying.

Chairman of the Judicial Board T. Jordan Miles III spoke about the turnout of the open forum. "I thought it went very well. One thing that's always a concern is the turnout. I think that the student government executive officers were a little weary of the number of people that were going to come, but we had a good turnout," said Miles. "We didn't have a lot in terms of honor and judicial affairs, which is good that people don't have problems, but at the same time we'd like to get feedback on how we're doing."

SGA President Cameron Patterson was excited about the turnout and believes that it will get better in time. "I do [think it was a success] you know I think we would've liked to have had more attendance from students, but I think we will do something like this in the future, and I think we're looking to do something more so on the academic side," said Patterson. He commented that next time he believes the SGA will do more to advertise the open forum so that all students are aware of the crucial setting.

During the forum, art students addressed their concern on the ability to have access to Bedford Hall after hours to work on projects, since many of the projects rely on using tools in the building. Patterson said, "I think that the concerns that the art students had were definitely valid concerns, concerns that have been raised since I've been at Longwood, and I think that those are concerns that need to be addressed." He also said the SGA wants to help facilitate meetings and talks between Longwood Police and the art department to address the issue.

If the forum failed to cover what some students had concerns about, Patterson encouraged them to bring those concerns before the SGA. "I would let students know that if they didn't have the opportunity to attend the forum, or they didn't have the opportunity to ask all the questions that they would have liked to ask, they are more than welcome to sit down with a Senator and let their concerns known." Senate meetings are Tuesdays at 3:45 p.m. in the AB rooms of the Student Union, if one wants to speak before the Senate. The latest information from the SGA can be found on their website: www.longwoodsga.org.