Students ask administration questions at SGA forum
Samantha Hearn
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: News
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Student Government Associated held a forum that gave students the opportunity to ask questions of the Volunteer State Community College faculty. Questions included issues on parking, smoking on campus, and energy conservation.
"Parking on campus is limited," said student Amy Mitchell. "Why is it that some students get staff parking and others don't?"
"Students who are staff members of organizations such as the SGA that do additional work for the college outside of the classroom receive staff parking," replied Patty Powell, Vice President of student services.
Mitchell replied asking why students who work for the radio show don't receive staff parking.
"We work hard and put in time for the show to be successful," she said.
Powell went on the explain that since radio show students work as part of the practicum class and for a grade, they are technically not doing extra work outside of the classroom, therefore excluding them from being eligible for staff parking.
Smoking on campus is an issue that has undergone a lot of recent change, such as there being no covered areas for people to smoke under when the weather is poor. Dr. Warren Nichols, President of Vol State, spoke on this issue directly.
"There has been a lot of discussion to eliminate smoking entirely on campus," he said. "Several Middle Tennessee colleges have done this and eventually, we will move to protecting the health of all students and faculty. There will be no enclosed covering for smokers because we encourage students to eliminate smoking from their lives."
Nichols then went on to re-address the issue of limited parking, saying, "It is our intention to create another paved parking lot adjacent to the Fine Arts building."
Other questions raised in the forum dealt with ways Vol State is being energy efficient. Gary Hume, senior director of plant operations, said that we are probably not doing enough.
"We follow the standards of the Tennessee Board of Regents," he said.
"Parking on campus is limited," said student Amy Mitchell. "Why is it that some students get staff parking and others don't?"
"Students who are staff members of organizations such as the SGA that do additional work for the college outside of the classroom receive staff parking," replied Patty Powell, Vice President of student services.
Mitchell replied asking why students who work for the radio show don't receive staff parking.
"We work hard and put in time for the show to be successful," she said.
Powell went on the explain that since radio show students work as part of the practicum class and for a grade, they are technically not doing extra work outside of the classroom, therefore excluding them from being eligible for staff parking.
Smoking on campus is an issue that has undergone a lot of recent change, such as there being no covered areas for people to smoke under when the weather is poor. Dr. Warren Nichols, President of Vol State, spoke on this issue directly.
"There has been a lot of discussion to eliminate smoking entirely on campus," he said. "Several Middle Tennessee colleges have done this and eventually, we will move to protecting the health of all students and faculty. There will be no enclosed covering for smokers because we encourage students to eliminate smoking from their lives."
Nichols then went on to re-address the issue of limited parking, saying, "It is our intention to create another paved parking lot adjacent to the Fine Arts building."
Other questions raised in the forum dealt with ways Vol State is being energy efficient. Gary Hume, senior director of plant operations, said that we are probably not doing enough.
"We follow the standards of the Tennessee Board of Regents," he said.
Be the first to comment on this story