Student organization representatives attended the first State of the Campus Address in record numbers on Monday. In fact, two rows of additional seating had to be added in order to accommodate all the attendees.
The student representatives are required to attend the monthly State of the Campus Address meetings in order to receive allocations for the year. These meetings have replaced last year’s weekly general assembly meetings.
TSG President Nadine Mompremier and her slate outlined the goals that they want to see accomplished.
“Our goal is to bring the voice back to the student body. This is your university and we want you to get the best out of it,” said Nexus Cook, vice president of external affairs.
Cook discussed their plans to highlight student athletics, unite the student organizations so that they are working toward similar goals, promote community awareness and provide an outlet for students to get information about Temple and the different services that are provided.
Farzad Firoz, vice president of services, encouraged students to remain involved with TSG.
“This is your student government. Be the change you want to see,” Firoz said.
Mompremier discussed the two new committees that need participants: the 125th Anniversary Committee and the Master Planning Committee. The 125th Anniversary Committee will help plan events for 2009, celebrating Temple’s 125th year as an institution. The Master Planning Committee is a focus group that will seek student feedback about the outlook of Temple.
The meeting culminated with a forum about Temple’s bookstore. Jim Hanley, the manager of the bookstore, led the forum.
“All of you are empowered to keep the textbook prices down,” Hanley said.
Hanley advised students to encourage professors to hand in their book orders early so that more students can sell their books back and receive more money for them. Once the bookstore receives the book orders early, they can stock up on more used textbooks.
Students voiced their opinions about the high mark up prices of textbooks, the short time students are able to return their books to get full price back and the animosity that professors feel toward the bookstore.
Hanley said students were the best people to bring about change. He urged students to keep voicing their opinions about these matters.
“When students get involved,” he said. “People listen.”
Rebecca Hale can be reached at rebecca.hale@temple.edu.
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