Student Government senate and leadership take official oaths

Video: Newly inaugurated Student Body President D'Leon Barnett outlines goals for Student Government during the 2010-2011 academic school year.
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UPDATED 2:15 p.m.

There's new student leadership at George Mason University. Incoming senators, the newly-elected vice president and student body president all took their oaths at noon Wednesday on the Johnson Center North Plaza.

D’Leon Barnett and Jacky Yoo begin their reign as the next student body president and vice president after winning in March with 31 percent of the vote. They will succeed Devraj Dasgupta and Tyler King.

 >> A Breakdown of Student Government

While many students are aware student government exists, some don’t have a clear grasp of what the organization does on a regular basis. According to Barnett there are many things that student government does, and there are many initiatives in the works that will prove to give Barnett and his administration a full plate for the coming year.

Student Government is broken into two braches; a legislative body consisting of the student senate and an executive body consisting of the president and his executive staff.

According to Mhehvish Khan, the former speaker of the senate who has since graduated from Mason, members of the legislature vote on bills which allocate funds to help put on events or sponsor programs. Bills must be signed by the speaker and the president. The president is also given the power to veto the bill.

“Senators also vote on resolutions which are used when the senate wants to support something or congratulate someone or condemn someone,” said Khan.

Additionally, anytime there is money involved with a bill, the legislation is brought to the finance committee where it can be debated, changed and voted on.

According to Shoshanna Roberts, who is serving as the interim faculty coordinator for student governance, the organizations budget is divided into an administrative fund and an allocation fund.

The administrative fund covers the operating costs for the organization and the allocation fund provides money for events and initiatives on campus. The allocation budget for this school year is $20,500.

 >> Student Government in the Eyes of its New President

Barnett says student government is the “voice between students and administration.” Barnett has monthly meetings with university President Alan Merten and is constantly working with members of university administration to discuss ways to best serve students.

During the campaign, Barnett emphasized his motto, “ACTION.” The acronym stands for advocacy, community, teamwork, integrity, opportunity, and needs.

As he enters the upcoming school year, Barnett says ACTION is still his main priority as he tries to “bridge the gap between students, faculty and administrators.”

Currently student government is responsible for programs such as Witch Watch, Gold Rush and Virginia 21.

Witch Watch is a program held on Halloween where student volunteers patrol neighborhoods around Fairfax, in an attempt to promote safety. Gold Rush is an effort to promote school spirit by student government and Virginia 21 is where members of student government go down to Richmond to lobby for students.

Barnett hopes to increase awareness of these events and make them even stronger in the coming school year. But he also says he has multiple programs he hopes to start.

One of those ideas is a new shuttle he hopes to launch this semester. The shuttle will take students to local airports during major breaks of the university.

Barnett emphasizes that the shuttle should provide service to BWI, an airport in Baltimore, because the prices are dramatically cheaper then Reagan National Airport.

Barnett also hopes to have a “24-hour study space for nonresident students.”

According to the incoming president there is a need among nonresident students for a study space, at a location besides the 24-hour Starbucks. He hopes that the space can be a quiet area for students to study. During this semester officials will be seeing whether there is a true need for the space.

Another initiative of Barnett’s concerns parking. “For every student who purchases a parking pass they will receive a visitor’s pass.” Barnett believes will help reduce the cost for students who are visiting campus and provide an incentive for buying a parking pass.

Although Mason boasts a large population, Barnett hopes to meet as many students as he can, “whether a simple hello or an in depth conversation.” Barnet has an open door policy and he encourages anyone to come and talk with him.

“This is something I love to do,” said Barnett.

After today’s inauguration members of student government will be serving cupcakes to anyone in attendance. According to Roberts, this will be a great time to meet the members of student government.

If a student is unable to attend today’s inauguration, student government is having an open house on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010 from noon - 2 p.m. in their headquarters at the Johnson Center in room 133.

Related:
 >> Revisit the election results
 >> Search past C2M coverage for 'Student Government'