Broadcaster Press 05 August 28, 2012 www.broadcasteronline.com Communication is key to SGA President Alissa VanMeeteren By David Lias david.lias@plantalk.net Alissa VanMeeteren, who was elected as president of the Student Government Association at the University of South Dakota last March, hopes to serve both the USD and Vermillion communities as a new school year kicks off on campus. “Basically, the Student Government Association is a collective representation of all of the colleges on campus. There are senators elected from each of the colleges rather than at large, and that way everybody is represented,” she said. “Our job is to support the students and to support the various organizations through funding and other promotional stuff that we can do.” Alissa is from Yankton, and is a political science/economics major at USD. She plans, as SGA president, to make sure students and organizations on campus are properly represented. “In addition I’ve made it a personal priority to not only be a representative on campus, but to also be a representative in the community,” Alissa said. “ I love the relationship that the school has with the Vermillion community, and I think it’s something that needs to be strengthened, if possible. “I think about how much the students depend on the Vermillion community. Sometimes, they don’t recognize that, so if there are things that we can do to promote businesses, if there are things that we can do to support different organizations in the community – that would be one of my big goals this year, she said. “That’s why I’m trying to reach out to as many people as possible.” Please Recycle Spotlight On Communication is a key component of all of the goals she has in mind during her term as SGA president. “I want to improve communication between students and administrators. I want to give students more of an opportunity to make their voices heard at a liberal arts college,” Alissa said. “There are a lot of students’ opinions on a lot of different things, and I believe there are times – and it’s nobody’s fault – I just think sometimes students don’t have as much opportunity to make their opinions known and to really feel that they can make a difference.” Alissa is contemplating the scheduling of “town hall” types of meetings where students can feel free to express their ideas. “Something like that would give students the opportunity to speak up, and perhaps there could be different debates on campus,” she said. With the general election looming in November, Alissa believes it is important that the Student Government Association play an active CALL NIKKI OR DAVE (605) 624-9557 helicopter The South Dakota Army National Guard received its first Lmodel UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Rapid City, which will provide an enhanced capability for air crews combating wild-land fires and other support missions. Classified Work! Call 624-4429. • WANTED • Old Vehicles • Farm Machinery • Scrap Iron PAYING TOP DOLLAR We give FREE in-home demonstrations and estimates! Call Inc. Custom Built Vinyl Windows Choose The Window Shop for quality, protection, service & value! We Offer Easy Maintenance Lifetime Warranty/20 years on glass Choose from all types & styles of windows. % 5 off your insttalled window purchases over $2000!! 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