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October 17, 2006
Student Congress handles more than just money
In last week’s Oracle, HUSC’s job of handling the student activity fee and dispersing money to organizations and individuals was explained. As the university’s student congress, HUSC does more than just manage our money. Its other primary purpose is to act as the student voice on campus.
“It is our responsibility to act as a representative to different areas on campus,” said HUSC President Kristin Falde. Falde said she and HUSC Vice President Addie Maxfield meet with Dean of Students Alan Sickbert every Monday morning to discuss the concerns and issues of students. As the dean of students, Sickbert “works directly with students, faculty, and staff to provide services and programs that enhance student life and community,” according to the Dean of Students web page.
Communication Studies Professor George Gaetano is HUSC’s faculty representative and is also a member of the Campus Life Committee (CLC). Gaetano attends meetings and stays involved with HUSC to inform it of what the CLC is doing. Gaetano is also able to relay information to CLC from HUSC. So far, he has dealt with have issues surrounding safety and the ACTC bus situation, among other things. As Gaetano sees it, HUSC’s responsibility to, “help guide activities to be as worthwhile as possible by providing retreats and workshops to improve quality.”
Maxfield said the responsibilities of HUSC can vary from year to year, depending on the direction it wants to go. This year, Maxfield said the focus is on organizations and student input, and also making HUSC more accessible.
Senior representative Colin Schulte described one of HUSC’s duties as “helping to create a campus community.” Sophomore representative Aleksey Ozerkov, said, “It is the forum to go to [in order] to address particular issues.”
What can students go to HUSC for? Falde’s answer was simple: “Anything.” Falde said students are encouraged to go to HUSC with any question or concern they have. Students may contact a representative, e-mail or call HUSC, attend a general assembly meeting, or stop by the HUSC office, located in the basement of the HUB. If HUSC is unable to answer a question or handle an issue, it will direct a student to the person or organization that can help, explained Falde.
“HUSC is different [from other organizations] because it functions more for every student. Organizations have more specific purposes. HUSC serves as a resource and support for every organization to help it be as good as it can be,” said Falde, “It’s an ideal way for student voices to be expressed and heard.”
HUSC general assemblies are held every Tuesday at 11:20 a.m. in GLC 100E. For more information about HUSC, log on to www.hamline.edu/husc.
Posted by dwright at October 17, 2006 09:55 PM
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