Hogan speaks about ways to combat overcrowding
Student Union President Andy Hogan '11 spoke during his State of the Union address last Thursday about ways to combat the adverse effects of an increased student body and the Student Union's goals for the spring 2010 semester, one of which is the opening of a new dining facility in Gluck Lobby.Hogan explained that in response to the University's decision to increase enrollment by 400 students in an attempt to alleviate its budget crisis, the Union will advocate that the University increase student services, and that in an effort to do so, the Union is currently addressing ways to advocate change in housing, dining and academics.
"Our official position is that with the increase in students must come an increase in student services," he said.
Hogan said that in regard to housing, the Union is encouraging the administration to renovate the Charles River Apartments to prevent more students from living off campus.
He announced that a temporary new dining facility would open after winter break in Gluck Lobby to mitigate the problems of overcrowding and long lines in the current dining facilities. Hogan stressed, however, that this facility would only be temporary. He said that the Union hopes to put a permanent facility in the Mandel Center for the Humanities when it opens.
Hogan explained that the expected continued increase in the student body would ultimately result in an average class size of 28.2 students by the fall of 2012 and that the average class size had already increased from 21.8 last fall to 23.4 this fall. "Brandeis academia may have to change, and we need to be cautious but open to this change," he said. He emphasized the Union's support of the Justice Brandeis Semester, the semester-long experiential learning program.
After Hogan addressed ways in which the Union was handling this issue of overcrowding, he began to speak about the Union's accomplishments and upcoming goals. He said that in terms of student finances, the Union Finance Board was able to allocate 70 percent of the total requests made by University clubs and is in a comfortable position financially. He also said the Union is in the final stages of building the Student Union Management System, which will help clubs manage their finances more efficiently. All clubs will transfer to SUMS in the beginning of the spring semester.
"SUMS will revolutionize the finance system as it creates the highest level of financial management and transparency," he said.
In addition to helping clubs and organizations with their finances, Hogan said the Union wants to improve club life by implementing a "clubs in service program" to connect clubs that are not typically community service-oriented with volunteer opportunities. He also mentioned the implementation of Resource 25, an online reservation system that will enable clubs to request and reserve room space online.
Hogan said the Union formed a Committee on Endowment Ethics and Responsibility to help ensure responsible endowment investment choices and was in the midst of a year long process to vet the current conduct process for student rights.
Prior to his conclusion, Hogan spoke about President Jehuda Reinharz's resignation and the Presidential Search Committee.
He announced that in addition to the Student Advisory Committee organized by the Student Union to assist the Presidential Search Committee, he was appointed to serve as a nonvoting member of the committee a week ago.
"I know that I will do my very best in representing student interest in this process and am happy that the Board of Trustees and other decision makers of this University see the value of student input," he said.
Hogan concluded by saying, "It is the involvement of students and our influence that makes me proud and honored to serve as your president. So let's embrace change and tackle 2010. Together we can help Brandeis thrive."
The Student Union members in attendance at the event were pleased with Hogan's speech.
"I thought it was a really good speech. I think Andy did a really good job of highlighting the Union's accomplishment. He was correct that change is the word of 2009," Jenna Rubin, the executive senator and the senator for the Class of 2011, said.
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