At this week’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, a representative from the Readership Program was in attendance to pitch a new app titled ‘The Buzz’. The app has successfully been adopted by 50 schools and looking to add Longwood University to that list.
If Longwood were to purchase this app, it would initially cost $9,000. Every year after that, the price would increase to $12,000 in which the representative felt that it would remain at in years to come. This amount includes a 12-month subscription to the app.
The app itself allows for students to view USATODAY, USACollege.com and the student-run newspaper in the convenience of one location. Additionally, the app allows for up to two student-run radio stations to stream to the app for the student to play music continuously while reading articles.
The representative proposed to have Longwood eliminate some of the less-popular newspaper locations around campus and add the app with the funds that were used to supply those locations.
The Buzz would accommodate students, faculty, parents, as well as prospective students.
Many SGA members were excited about the app. The SGA will vote on whether the app, The Buzz, is a good purchase for Longwood in the amount of $9,000 for the 2016-2017 school year at next week’s SGA meeting.
Honor Board Chair Maggie Marshall and Conduct Board Chair Haley Talmage were in attendance at this week’s SGA meeting to propose a new election process listed in their constitution. According to Marshall, the current system is leading to an ineffective staff, which leads to more issues within their process.
Currently, Honor and Conduct Boards hold elections that are open to the entire student body. They are looking to change that process to have Honor and Conduct Boards vote on the applicants rather then the entire student body. They are also looking to include an interview process in that to narrow down those applicants who are serious and committed to the boards.
Much debate surfaced as to if this new election process would be democratic with the elimination of the student body voting for 36 justices each year to serve.
President Constance Garner suggested including an outside member not from the Honor and Conduct Boards to represent the student body in addition to the panel that currently serves on the boards.
Senator Jason Dryer, who currently serves on Honor and Conduct Boards, voiced his opinion on how he feels the process needs to be voted on by the student body rather than a panel to keep it democratic.
Senator Maribeth Stotler-Watkins added how currently it is a popularity contest and agreed with the proposal brought to the SGA by the two representatives.
Dr. Tim Pierson, Vice President for Student Affairs, added how the Honor and Conduct Boards have struggled with this problem for many years with not having a committed board for hearings. Pierson emphasized that if 7 justices are not present for a hearing, then the case goes to the administrative hearing.
The SGA approved the motion to allocate $4,784 to College Panhellenic Council (CPC) to fund 7 students to an annual conference.
The motion was passed by the SGA to allocate $889.80 to B.A.S.I.C. Gospel Choir for their upcoming East Coast Gospel Festival at Old Dominion University.
The SGA approved the motion to reallocate $3,500 to Alternative Spring Beak from site fees, which ended up being a smaller amount than thought, to transportation fees.
Lastly, Macrae Hammond, Presidential Fellow, encouraged students to take advantage of volunteer opportunities for the Vice Presidential Debate by applying at debate.longwood.edu/volunteer/
speaks to the SGA about the possible addition to readership program.