Carrie Bauer elected to Board of Trustees

By Jason Satek - SGA/General Assignment Reporter

The results of the SGA election on April 13-14 were released on Friday. Along with the selection of Student Government Association positions, a poll of the campus regarding their feelings on the inclusion of Greek Life organizations and a remodeled Constitution put forth for approval were included on the ballot.

Three of the candidates for executive positions were running unopposed. Samantha Drews was elected SGA President with 196 votes, with 91 persons actively not voting. John Morris was elected Treasurer with 207 votes, and 81 non-votes. Finally, Sarah Doyle was elected Secretary with 224 votes and 63 non-votes.

In the one contested race, current SGA Vice President Carrie Bauer was elected Student Representative to the Board of Trustees over sophomore SGA Representative at Large Robert Skorczewski, 173 to 118, with 10 non-votes. Bauer, a senior, will be returning to UIS as a Political Studies graduate student next year.

The new Constitution was affirmed by a student vote, 248 in support to 54 against. Current SGA President Tyson Roan spoke of being pleased that “students recognized the stylistic changes over the substantive ones” in passing it, and was “happy to see it go through.”

Though not up for immediate consideration, the inclusion of Greek organizations might have long-range consequences for the university, and thus it was determined to establish student sentiment before possibly proceeding. A five-question poll was created for that purpose.

The first question, “Would you favor opening the UIS campus to Social Greek Letter Organizations?” drew a positive response, 157 to 98.

The second question, “If there was an opportunity to join a traditional social fraternity or sorority at UIS, would you seek to join such an organization?” had a slightly negative, but very even 125 for and 127 against.

The third question, “Would you be in favor of a nominal student activity fee increase (presumed to be $10 or less per semester) to bring Social Greek Organizations to UIS” drew a large negative response, 96 for and 160 against.

The fourth question asked “Are you in favor of Social Greek Organizations having residential housing at UIS” found students willing, 145 to 109.

The last question was more to determine the effects of attempt to facilitate debate, “Did you read the guest commentaries in the “The Journal” regarding Greek Life at UIS,” with 167 answering that they had read at least some of the articles, while 88 stated they had not read any.

The validity of a sample of around 300 students to a student body of more than 4000 might be open to question, but it would appear that students would be open to social Greek Life organizations though they might not themselves join, and would not be in favor of subsidizing their existence.

In a related matter, a $6 fee referendum for the Multicultural and International Affairs was defeated earlier in the week, 105 against and 78 for. This margin, greater than the 108 for and 119 against proposal done last year, left the Director of International Affairs Jonathan GoldbergBelle feeling “disappointed.” He stated that no decision had been made about trying again, but noted, “this won't stop us from pushing on.”

UIS students and staff lend a hand in the community

UIS students joined volunteers from Washington Middle School and the Springfield community to help clean up Washington Middle School

Volunteers loaded wheelbarrows with dead debris in attempt to help beautify the middle school area

Carrie Bauer elected to Board of Trustees

UIS Students and staff lend a hand in the community