State Representatives Proposal Would Increase Tuition by $5,000
A state representative today proposed completely slashing the state's appropriation to Temple.
This would increase tuition by 45% or nearly $5,000 on average for a Pennsylvania resident as the University would lose tens of millions of dollars in anticipated funding This proposal is very time sensitive and is schedule to voted upon tomorrow. We are asking EVERY TEMPLES STUDENT who is a PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT to email their state representative tonight or tomorrow morning in opposition to this proposal.How do you do this?
- Go to http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp to determine your complete (9 digit) zip code (i.e. 19121-1203
- Go to http://www.house.state.pa.us/ and in the upper right hand corner, input your 9 digit zip code. This will tell you who your state representative is
- Click on your STATE REPRESENTATIVE'S name (not state senator)
- Scroll down the page until you see a link saying, in some fashion, "Click here to email/contact member"
- Fill out the required address information USING OUR HOME ADDRESS (not school address.)
- In the field that says message, concern, or some variety of that, copy and paste the below message.
- Click submit or send.
I am writing to you to express extreme concern about the state's appropriation to Temple University. As a Temple student, I depend on Temple for providing both an excellent and affordable education. If the state appropriation was removed in its entirety, tuition would increase 45% or nearly $5,000 for a Pennsylvania residents. Not only will this adversely affect students now, but it will saddle graduates with increased debt for years to come.Our Board of Trustees, in light of the difficult economic climate, approved a record low tuition increase of 2.9% and dedicated an additional $7 million to student financial aid. Due to these actions, millions of dollars in the University's operating budget have been slashed in favor of supporting students' ability to attend.Please support Pennsylvania's appropriation to Temple as it truly makes a tremendous difference in my life.
We know this sounds difficult, but it takes no more than 3 minutes. We need to show our state representatives that we are completely opposed to this proposal. With any questions or concerns, please contact tsgvps@temple.edu
Facilities Committee Meeting
Kylie was the student representative at the Board of Trustees Facilities Committee meeting, where they discussed several upcoming projects at the University. New exhaust pipes and air conditioners are to be installed at Johnson and Hardwick Residence Halls. The Bio-Life Sciences Building will see the remodeling of an office/lavatory, while the 3rd Floor of Speakman Hall will soon see all new furniture and curtains. The most exciting development for student is the renovations of the "overhang" between Anderson and Gladfelter Halls which will soon be receiving additional lighting and handicap access so more students can enjoy it
External Affairs Positions Named
Today, Anthony announced the appointment of the 5 remaining executive positions. Jessica Reed will serve as Director of Local Affairs, while Jamira Burley will be TSG's new Director of Community Affairs. Damon DeShields takes over as our new Director of Marketing, while Renee Gordon, former Senate President Pro Tempore, will serve as Director of Public Relations. TSG's Director of Information Technology will now be Steuart Wright, who will be responsible for our web presence. These five join Kylie, Jon, Jarae Hines, Sean O'Connell, and Aaron Wolf as the Executive Branch of TSG.
Senate Committee Chairs nominated
Senate President Jeff Dempsey has nominated the chairpersons of the TSG Senate's standing committees. Eva Alkasov has been nominated to lead the University Affairs Committee while Kevin Gerad has been tapped to head the Government Operations Committee. Natalie Ramos-Castillo has been nominated to serve as Chairperson of the Appropriations Committee, and Colin Saltry has been selected to lead the Student Life Committee. Upon confirmation by the Senate in September, the nominees will officially become the chairpersons of their respective committees.
New Chief of Staff Announced
President Kylie Patterson announced early this afternoon that Jarae Hines, previously TSG's Director of Historical Affairs, will serve as Chief of Staff for the upcoming year. We are incredibly excited to have Jarae on board to serve in this important position. The Chief of Staff oversees our office workers, coordinates between the different branches of TSG, works on special projects, and is in charge of several positions.
Board of Trustees Athletics Committee Recap
One of TSG's most important responsibilities is to represent the 37,000 strong student body at several meetings throughout the year. Last week, Jon was the student representative at the Board of Trustees Athletics Committee meeting held in Sullivan Hall on May 27. At the meeting, Coach Al Golden presented a comprehensive review of the football program, focusing on academics and facilities. The football team's overall GPA has improved in six consecutive semesters and their Academic Progress Rate (APR) is now 960, up 158 points from 4 years ago. Coach Golden also pointed out that the Owls had the most wins (5) in 18 years in 2008 and a +4 overall point differential. Furthermore, the team ranked first in the NCAA in red-zone defense and the 2009 schedule is well suited for an even more successful year. The coach also stated that Temple's weight room is the smallest in the MAC and this could put the program at a competitive and recruiting disadvantage. Lastly, the coach said that attendance at home games is "the single most important thing" to the program this year.
After the coach spoke, students from the Cherry Crusade (Temple's die hard student fans) gave an update on their organization. They said that men's basketball and football are the most successful programs in drawing fans, but football struggled at the end of last year due to a series of away games and elimination from a potential bowl game. They presented some of their strategy for next year including more advertising to students living off campus, more "dorm raids," and marketing their growing reputation. They also announced a desire to get students out to sports beyond football and basketball and spoke about an idea to attend each sport's senior night.
After the student presentation, updates were given on all of the spring sports including men's and women's track, softball, men's and women's tennis, women's crew, women's lacrosse, men's golf, and baseball. The women's crew team had their best season in 4 years, while the men's and women's track team debuted a new coach. The softball team finished 1 game out of the championship, and the women's tennis team finished 2nd in the Atlantic 10 championship.
After the coach spoke, students from the Cherry Crusade (Temple's die hard student fans) gave an update on their organization. They said that men's basketball and football are the most successful programs in drawing fans, but football struggled at the end of last year due to a series of away games and elimination from a potential bowl game. They presented some of their strategy for next year including more advertising to students living off campus, more "dorm raids," and marketing their growing reputation. They also announced a desire to get students out to sports beyond football and basketball and spoke about an idea to attend each sport's senior night.
After the student presentation, updates were given on all of the spring sports including men's and women's track, softball, men's and women's tennis, women's crew, women's lacrosse, men's golf, and baseball. The women's crew team had their best season in 4 years, while the men's and women's track team debuted a new coach. The softball team finished 1 game out of the championship, and the women's tennis team finished 2nd in the Atlantic 10 championship.
First Appointments Named
We are happy to announce our first two executive positions have been appointed. Aaron Wolf will be the TSG Director of Services, and Sean O'Connell will serve as Services Review Chair. Both positions serve in the Office of the Vice President of Services. The other executive appointments (Chief of Staff, Local & Community Affairs, Treasurer, Information Technology, and Public Relations) as well as Supreme Court nominees will be announced over the coming weeks. We are excited to have the first part of our team named!
Meeting with President Hart
A few weeks ago, Kylie, Jon, and Anthony met with President Ann Weaver Hart in her office to discuss TSG's goals and initiatives for the upcoming year. For those who don't know, the executive officers meet with President Hart monthly throughout the year for two reasons: to inform the President of what is going on with TSG and so that the President may discuss any University issues. At this meeting, President Hart discussed potential changes to Temple's non-discrimination policy involving gender affiliation. She also detailed some of the University's emergency response mechanisms and their testing for the upcoming school year. She provided helpful insight and advice for how we can accomplish some of our goals including our proposed mural on campus, bringing influential speakers to the Baptist Temple, and the appropriate way to give students the opportunity to design Temple apparel.
Tuesday , Meetings, and Campus Safety
It's been a slow past week with Summer I just getting under way and the holiday weekend. Consequently, we have not too much to report in terms of news. In the next week, we have meetings scheduled with Vice President Powell (Student Affairs) and will be the representative student voice at a Board of Trustees Athletics Committee meeting. We meet with different administrators ranging from the President to the Provost to the Dean of Students and others regularly to represent the student body. To make these meetings as effective as possible, we need to hear from you. We need to know what matters to you. So let us know. We've taken several steps this year to improve our communication including our Twitter, this blog, an upcoming redesigned website, etc.
We met recently with Captain Denise Wilhelm of Campus Safety Services to discuss some important student issues. The most pressing was the increase in house burglaries in the past couple of weeks in off campus student housing. She provided us with some helpful preventive tips including making sure your windows are closed and locked even if they bars over them. Also, consider leaving a light on so potential burglars think someone is home. And remember, if you are ever in a dangerous situation you can call Campus Safety at (215) 204-1234 or press the button on the blue emergency stations located across campus.
We met recently with Captain Denise Wilhelm of Campus Safety Services to discuss some important student issues. The most pressing was the increase in house burglaries in the past couple of weeks in off campus student housing. She provided us with some helpful preventive tips including making sure your windows are closed and locked even if they bars over them. Also, consider leaving a light on so potential burglars think someone is home. And remember, if you are ever in a dangerous situation you can call Campus Safety at (215) 204-1234 or press the button on the blue emergency stations located across campus.
Open Senate Positions/other news
Currently, there are open Senate positions in the College of Engineering, the Boyer College of Music and Dance, the College of Science and Technology, the Tyler School of Art, and a graduate position. If you're interesting in applying for one of these positions, please email your resume and a cover letter to Senate President Jeff Dempsey at tsgsenate@temple.edu.
Also, a reminder that room reservations are now open for the fall semester. You can do the entire process online, and we recommend putting it your requests now. Any questions? Please contact Student Center Operations, who handles all reservations in the Student Center, the Bell Tower, Liacouras Walk, Mitten Hall, and can help you with reserving academic space.
And remember...check us out on Twitter!
Also, a reminder that room reservations are now open for the fall semester. You can do the entire process online, and we recommend putting it your requests now. Any questions? Please contact Student Center Operations, who handles all reservations in the Student Center, the Bell Tower, Liacouras Walk, Mitten Hall, and can help you with reserving academic space.
And remember...check us out on Twitter!
Daily News
-Over the summer, home burglars know that many off campus apartments or houses have reduced numbers of students living in them. Please remember to do the small things that will make a huge difference such as locking doors or windows. And don't hesitate to call Campus Safety Services at (215) 204-1234 or Philadelphia Police at 911 if you suspect anything is wrong.
-Formers Owls starting quarterback Adam DiMichele was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and will (as it stands now) report to camp as their fourth quarterback.
-We started interviews last night for our executive positions. We will let everyone know as soon as the appointments are made. We are very excited at the incredible number of people who have applied for all of the positions, and we know we will be working with great individuals this year.
-Have you seen Temple's new Academic Strategic Compass from the Provost's Office? It's the strategic long range 5-year plan for all matters academic at the University.
-The Welcome Week schedule has been release for 2009 and will be from August 27 to August 30 this year. Popular events such as Freshserve, Temple Fest, a hypnotist, and a concert will return this year. Countdown---exactly 100 days! Kudos to our friends at Student Activities for having the schedule out early. One question remains...who is the concert?
-Today is Election Day in PA. Don't know where your polling place is? Check this out. Happy voting!
-Formers Owls starting quarterback Adam DiMichele was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and will (as it stands now) report to camp as their fourth quarterback.
-We started interviews last night for our executive positions. We will let everyone know as soon as the appointments are made. We are very excited at the incredible number of people who have applied for all of the positions, and we know we will be working with great individuals this year.
-Have you seen Temple's new Academic Strategic Compass from the Provost's Office? It's the strategic long range 5-year plan for all matters academic at the University.
-The Welcome Week schedule has been release for 2009 and will be from August 27 to August 30 this year. Popular events such as Freshserve, Temple Fest, a hypnotist, and a concert will return this year. Countdown---exactly 100 days! Kudos to our friends at Student Activities for having the schedule out early. One question remains...who is the concert?
-Today is Election Day in PA. Don't know where your polling place is? Check this out. Happy voting!
What's open during the summer?
Here for the summer? Well, you've probably noticed that a lot of places on Main Campus are closed, especially on the weekends. Here's a quick run down:
Eating: J&H and the Student Center Food Court both have limited hours on both weekdays and weekends. The commercial establishments are mostly open including all of the restaurants at Avenue North. Maxi's is open every weekday, but closed on the weekends. Our favorite Chinese restaurants are open pretty much the same hours, as are fast food options McDonalds, Crown Fried Chicken, and Wendys.
Fun: The Student Center has limited weekday hours. The movie theater at Avenue North is screening movies at regular times. The library (always fun!) also has reduced but still good hours on both weekdays and weekends. As a side note, check out the library's impressive collection of movies that you can rent for free. And for late night boredom, 7-11 is 24-7 all summer long. This is a great chance to enjoy our beautiful city with the beautiful weather.
Transportation: SEPTA has normal hours all summer. There are NO Temple shuttles during the summer.
TSG is here all summer long! Stop by our office (Student Center 244) to say hi or discuss any issues. You can always email us at tsg@temple.edu.
Eating: J&H and the Student Center Food Court both have limited hours on both weekdays and weekends. The commercial establishments are mostly open including all of the restaurants at Avenue North. Maxi's is open every weekday, but closed on the weekends. Our favorite Chinese restaurants are open pretty much the same hours, as are fast food options McDonalds, Crown Fried Chicken, and Wendys.
Fun: The Student Center has limited weekday hours. The movie theater at Avenue North is screening movies at regular times. The library (always fun!) also has reduced but still good hours on both weekdays and weekends. As a side note, check out the library's impressive collection of movies that you can rent for free. And for late night boredom, 7-11 is 24-7 all summer long. This is a great chance to enjoy our beautiful city with the beautiful weather.
Transportation: SEPTA has normal hours all summer. There are NO Temple shuttles during the summer.
TSG is here all summer long! Stop by our office (Student Center 244) to say hi or discuss any issues. You can always email us at tsg@temple.edu.
Check us out on Twitter!
A few days ago, we launched our TSG Twitter. During the campaign, we talked a lot about improving communication between TSG and the student body. The internet is the most convenient (and cheapest) way to communicate, so we will be having three main web initiatives. Your currently reading the first, our Twitter is the second, and the third will be a comprehensive website currently under development. For Twitter, subscribe to our mobile alerts to get important campus updates to your phone. TSG has access to information that others don't, and we will also have access to most information first. For your convenience, you can also see our latest Twitter posts on the upper left column of this blog. We want to share it with everyone, so get on board with our Twitter!
Important Campus Rec announcement
Here some information from our friends at Campus Recreation. The turf field located at 15th and Norris will be closed effective immediately until mid-August due to a multi-million dollar replacement of the turf. But the rest of the facilities will be open Monday-Friday, and you can see the hours here. Contrary to popular rumor, group fitness classes are offered throughout the summer. If you had access to the facilities during the spring semester (AKA you paid your Campus Rec fee) you will also have access during the summer. So, during our hot humid days, swim in the pool, play some air conditioned basketball in the Pavilion, jog inside at the IBC's indoor track, or use the multiple outdoor facilities for fun in the sun.
Welcome!
Welcome to our first blog post!
We will be using this as a forum to spread information to the Temple community. A number of people will be updating this to keep it as interesting as possible. Please check back often for the news as only Temple Student Government can deliver it. Welcome to TSG 2K9.
What do you want to see on here? Leave a comment and let us know.
We will be using this as a forum to spread information to the Temple community. A number of people will be updating this to keep it as interesting as possible. Please check back often for the news as only Temple Student Government can deliver it. Welcome to TSG 2K9.
What do you want to see on here? Leave a comment and let us know.