On behalf of the Student Government Association, I would like to take this time to welcome everyone back to NKU. It has been an honor and a privilege serving as your student body president, and I am looking forward to a successful spring.

Some of you may be asking, what has Student Government actually done for me? Last semester we secured $50,000 in SGA grants to help students in extreme financial need. We worked with the university administration to stop the per-page printing fee. Internally we passed a new constitution that will be up for student vote on Jan. 19. In association with Follet, we were able to give out $3,000 in book scholarships. We also hosted a successful Veteran’s Day Memorial. The fall semester was spent building relationships with university administration and bringing integrity back to SGA.

Things to look forward to:

You will see a very different Student Government in the upcoming semester. We realize that our student body is changing, which is causing our focus to also change.

This semester we will be making a few improvements in the University Center, primarily the second floor and the information booth. We will also explore converting the entire University Center to support a wireless network. We will be launching an aggressive campaign for multicultural advancement, called Project Diversity. This project will take a look at departments and curriculum pertaining to minority studies.

We will be working with university administration to build sidewalks back in the housing area and leading up to the Honors House. We are also working toward increasing funds that are set aside for student organizations by 20 percent ($56,000 roughly). This is one of the most aggressive agendas Student Government has ever set, and we need your support. Our first order of business that will require immediate student participation is the Tsunami Relief campaign. In the following weeks you will see areas to deposit spare change. Please get involved!

If you have any questions or comments, we would love to hear them. Please contact NKU SGA by calling (859) 572-5149 or stop by UC 208. Thanks, and have a great semester.

Andy Hixson began his term as SGA President July 1, 2004 and will continue to serve NKU until June 30, 2005.