Latest News
Spring 2013
COME VOTE IN USGA’S SPRING ELECTIONS!
This is your time to use your voice! Vote in the USGA Spring Elections to make your opinions matter! An e-ballot will be sent to all undergraduate LUC email addresses. Please click through the whole ballot and vote for the people you feel will best represent the student body of Loyola. Don’t forget to vote on the TGIF Referendum! Voting will take place on March 26-27. Mark your calendar!
The Grower’s Guild Comes to USGA
On February 19th, three representatives from The Grower's Guild appeared in front of Senate seeking support in their efforts to implement a policy that aims to have 20% of campus food come from more sustainable sources by 2020. According to sophomore Jacqueline Gorman, Sustainability Initiatives Coordinator for the Grower’s Guild, "by creating this policy we will protect everyone within our food system: producers, consumers, the Earth and communities."
The Justice Committee Takes Action
USGA’s Justice Committee is taking action! Beginning with the Just Employment Policy, the committee is calling for a “living wage” and an improvement of conditions and worker’s rights on campus. Alternative Energy Purchasing is also on the docket. The committee intends to ally with SEA to aid them in the fight to significantly reduce Loyola’s electricity purchasing from coal power, while boosting purchasing from alternative energy sources. The third initiative centers on finding financial aid for undocumented students. Finally, they are looking into ethical leasing guidelines for the university. Due to ethical violations committed by companies to which Loyola leases property, the committee is initiating the process of creating a set of ethical guidelines companies must satisfy in order to be approved for leasing on Loyola property.
The Allocations Committee is Open for Constultation
The Allocations Committee will be hosting budget workshops for student organizations in the USGA Office (LL CFSU) on Wednesday, Mar. 20 from 3:00-4:30pm and Thursday, Mar. 21 from 6-7:30pm. Says Blake Baiers, Chair of the Allocations Committee, “If you are having trouble with your organization’s budget, or want to make sure you took all the right steps, bring it in for some one-on-one help from an Allocations Committee member.”
Have an Ethical Issue on Campus? Do Something About It!
The Jesuit mission of LUC has instilled in students a quality sense of social jusitice and ethics. Students are urged to contact the University’s Ethics Hotline if they see any issues on campus. The hotline number is 855.603.6988. Students should feel free to call in any concerns.
Facebook Polls Used Guage Student Opinion
Recently, USGA has increased its use of informal, online polls based on its Facebook page. These polls are used simply to guage general opinions, not to collect hard data. Still, these polls can be extremely helpful in judging the general opinions of students on the topics discussed in Senate. Says Chief Commuications Officer of USGA, Kelsey O’Shaughnessy, “These polls are simply an avenue for students to voice concerns. One of our biggest hopes is for student to explain their vote or concerns in the comments.” Currently, we’re looking for student opinions on Academic Affairs at Loyola. Visit our page at www.facebook.com/LUCUSGA to voice your concerns about this and other current topics on campus!
Spring Election Packets are Available Now
Spring Elections materials were released February 4, and are now available at both campuses and online. Interested parties should pick up a Candidate’s Packet (at CFSU, Terry Student Center, or on our website) and begin to collect signatures. Candidates will be required to gather fifty signatures and to attend a candidate meeting with members of USGA’s Spring Elections Board. These meetings will take place before all candidate information is due. Interested parties were also encouraged to attend our Meet and Greet event on February 19 to learn more about the available positions. If you missed it, feel free to email us for more information at USGAElections@luc.edu. Remember, all candidate materials are due by midnight on March 13 in the USGA office!
Taser Discussion Continues
An info session on tasers was held in Cuneo Hall on February 11 to help provide insight to students about the weapons. Safety Officer Tim Cunningham gave a description of when the tools would be used, their effects, and information about why Campus Safety is looking to employ them. Students were able to voice their opinions, ask questions and further learn about tasers. Officer Cunningham also came to Senate on February 12 to discuss the issue. Discussions on this matter continue in Campus Safety, but all information and research is still in an early stage. If you missed these chances to talk about tasers, look for more info sessions in the future!
Internal Elections Results are In!
At Senate on January 22, 2013, fifteen candidates came out to stake their claim on the eight available spots in USGA for the spring semester. Each candidate spoke briefly about their experiences and hopes for becoming a senator. USGA would like to thank all participants of the evening, and encourage condidates to return to the campaign trail during the upcoming Spring Elections.
Loyola Security Officers Consider Tasers on Campus
Tasers are a possibility in the future of Loyola and the best way to prepare is to learn about these tools and how they will be used. Come check out a free info session to hear Officer Cunningham discuss tasers on campus. The event will be held in Cuneo Hall, room 210 on February 11 at 7:00pm. The event is open to all students, faculty and administration. Come hear the facts, then post your opinion to our poll on Facebook.
LUC and the Art Institute of Chicago Present Free Admission
Loyola students now have free access to the Art Institute of Chicago throughout the spring semester. All students need to do is present their ID at the time of entrance. Thursday night marked the kick off of the partnership with an event featuring a tour of the Institute's European painting gallery, led by LUMA senior curator Jonathan Canning. It was followed by a tour of Twentieth Century Art presented by Professor Paula Wisotzki. Thank you to all those who participated in this event and we look forward to a lasting friendship with the Art Institute of Chicago! Post a picture of you and your friends visiting the museum on our Facebook page!
Spring Elections Kick Off
Are you interesting in joining USGA? This spring, elected positions will be open for all Loyola undergrad students to campaign. Candidate packets can be picked up in the USGA office or found online at www.luc.edu/usga/springelections. On February 19, a Meet and Greet will be hosted on the fourth floor of the IC to help candidates get to know the available positions and learn more about the organization. Questions and comments can be directed to USGAElections@luc.edu.
More Coffee and Tea with the Prez and VP
Want to be involved, but don’t have the time to attend regular meetings? Stop by Coffee and Tea with the Prez and VP to voice your opinions! This weekly event will now be held on Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:00 pm in the CFSU. Julia Poirier and Sarah McDowell will be available to discuss USGA actions and student issues during this time. Says Poirier, “Students know the changes they want to see in their school. In this relaxed setting, we can chat with them and discuss real solutions to their issues”. These weekly coffee and tea breaks will begin January 24, 2013. There will be no Coffee and Tea with the Prez and VP on March 21, 2013.
Fall 2012
The Ignation Leadership and Jesuit Spirituality Act
New legislation was passed in October by the Academic Affairs Committee of USGA. Says Tyler Hough, Senator and Chair of the committee, "The Ignation Leadership and Jesuit Spirituality Act" was crafted to show support for the creation of a course that focuses on Ignation leadership and Jesuit pedagogy. Since four of our fellow Jesuit institutions offer a similar class, and since we are the biggest within our category among the Jesuit schools, we feel it is only appropriate that this course be created." View Tyler's video about the legislation on our facebook page at facebook.com/LUCUSGA.
State of the Students Address
For the first time ever, Loyola's USGA held a state of the Student Address on October 3, 2012. The purpose for State of the Students Address was to give students the opportunity to hear USGA's strategic plan for the year, offer their input and ask questions. Chief Communications Officer, Kelsey O'Shaughnessy, states, "We believe that in order for USGA to run efficiently, we need the students to voice their concerns to us so that we may represent them in the best way possible. The State of the Students Address was a great avenue for discussion. We hope that the participation will continue to grow through our events and meetings, as well as through our office and online channels. USGA is here to represent the students. Their concerns are our concerns. We look forward to tackling issues for them and making real, measurable change in the university on behalf of the students."
USGA Reaches Out
For the first time, Loyola's USGA has come together to support it's community through service in multiple events this semester. On Friday, Oct. 26, members volunteered to help plant a local greenhouse. On Sunday, Oct. 38, members also partcipated in ((dop))'s wildly successful Trick or Treating event for local children. Says USGA President, Julia Poirier, "This is our time to give back to the community...[and] we hope to continue this as a USGA tradition." Finally, during the last few weeks of school, USGA will be collecting new, unwrapped toys to benefit a local charity called Atia's Project Ladybug Fund. These toys will be donated to children fighting cancer at Comer's Children's Hospital. Please stop by to donate a toy today, or go online to projectladybug.org/atias-fund to give a monetary donation.
