Newsroom
SGA press releases and media advisories can be found below. For all media inquiries, please contact Meagan Bryant (mdbryant@crimson.ua.edu), SGA Press Secretary.
Student Government Association Holds Back-to-School Breakfast
(download PDF press release)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (August 21, 2012) – The Student Government Association is holding a back-to-school breakfast featuring Dunkin Doughnuts at the Ferguson Center Plaza Thursday, August 23 from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
SGA works with the Week of Welcome committee every year, and our back-to-school breakfast is the only WOW event held by a student organization. All other WOW events are sponsored by different offices and departments on campus. This unique opportunity gives us the chance to meet and greet with new and returning UA students.
The SGA will be primarily advertising First Year Council applications. However, all SGA executives will be at the breakfast to answer any students’ questions or concerns. We encourage all students to drop by, enjoy breakfast and meet and greet with their SGA representatives.
1,430 Tickets Go Unused at WKU Game
(download PDF press release)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (September 18, 2012) – During the Crimson Tide’s game against Western Kentucky University, 1,430 student tickets went unused, causing many students to receive a 1.5-point penalty. In order to ensure student tickets do not go unused, a 1.5-point penalty is allotted to any student who does not use, donate or transfer their ticket by halftime.
Additionally, if a student donates their student ticket after 5 p.m. on Friday, they will receive a half-point penalty. During the Crimson Tide’s most recent home game, 767 tickets were donated after 5 p.m. on the Friday before game day.
Students who receive more than three penalty points will not be able to purchase post-season tickets for this year or regular season and post-season tickets for fall 2013.
Students can still receive a donated ticket up until halftime of the game, so it is imperative that students either remove themselves from the donation list by visiting the “mytickets” section of myBama or use their ticket before halftime. The Alabama-LSU game was the only game last year in which people on the waiting list did not receive a donated ticket.
“SGA wants to give every student the opportunity to attend each game, and it is for that reason that we allow tickets to be awarded to those on the waiting list all the way until halftime of the game,” said Joe Hart, chief justice for SGA.
If a student receives a donated ticket, their name will be automatically removed from the waiting list. If a student wishes to get rid of a donated ticket, they must donate it back.
A full list of changes to the student ticket rules can be found under the “Home” tab of myBama in the “mytickets” section of the tab titled, “Get in the Game Rule Changes 2012.”
Students looking to appeal their penalty point allotment can do so by visiting http://sa.ua.edu/penalty/.
SGA creates Spirit Points for Student Participation
(download PDF press release)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (September 9, 2012) – The Student Government Association has implemented a new system, entitled Spirit Points, to encourage all students to attend any and all events held on campus at the University of Alabama. Students may accumulate Spirit Points by attending sporting events, lectures and any other event that qualifies for Spirit Points.
Students simply swipe their Action Cards at the qualified events to accumulate points over the course of a semester. At the end of the term students with the most spirit points will win a prize. Prizes will likely include an iPad, Daniel Moore Paintings and possibly scholarship money.
Students will be able to check their number of Spirit Points online through the student tab on mybama.
“Spirit Points is a great way to get students out there to attend UA events,” said Will Pylant, vice president for student affairs. “This system will help promote events and organizations that may not always have a large number of attendants.”
All students, student organizations, athletic departments and any other UA group can apply for their event to qualify for Spirit Points through a standardized form which is available in the SGA office, 231 Ferguson. The form will include questions regarding the logistics of the event, purpose of the event, a description of the event and charge of admission for the event. For an event to qualify for Spirit Points, it must be open to all students.
A Crimson Spirit Points Committee will meet weekly to consider campus events and determine point values for each event. These weekly meetings will be open to the public. SGA will loan Action Card readers to organizations for their events.
The first Spirit Point event will be Get on Board Day Tuesday, September 11 at 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
SGA Supports Vote September 18
(download PDF press release)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (September 10, 2012) – The Student Government Association office of External Affairs is working with the Higher Education Partnership to encourage students to vote on Sept. 18 in support of an amendment which will prevent the state of Alabama from cutting funding for Higher Education.
The amendment will also provide further funding for other general fund agencies, such as Medicaid, prisons and State Troopers. If the amendment is not passed, money to fund these agencies will most likely come from the Education Trust Fund, which would cause cuts to higher education and K-12 education.
“Although this bill is not a long term fix, if it is not passed, Higher Education will take a tremendous blow. This budget cut will be passed down to the students here at the University and its effects will be felt by our current students, sooner rather than later,” said Jimmy Taylor, vice president of External Affairs for SGA.
Students are encouraged to pick up voter registration forms in the SGA office at the Ferguson Center, and they can turn them back in at the SGA office, as well. SGA will also have a presence at Get On Board Day, where it will host a voter registration drive.
SGA will have proper forms for students registering to vote for the first time, students who need to transfer their voter registration and students who registering for absentee voting.
For more information, visit sga.ua.edu.
Proposed Amendment: “Proposing an amendment to the constitution of Alabama of 1901, to provide adequate funding for the State General Fund budget, to prevent the mass release of prisoners from Alabama prisons, and to protect critical health services to Alabama children, elderly, and mothers by transferring funds from the Alabama Trust Fund to the State General Fund beginning with the state’s 2012-2013 fiscal year and concluding with the state’s 2014-2015 fiscal year; to provide a new procedure for distributions made from the Alabama Trust Fund beginning 2012-2013 fiscal year; to create a County an Municipal Government Capital Improvement Trust Fund advisory committee; and to provide further for distributions made from the County and Municipal Government Capital Improvement Trust Fund.”
Fall 2 Classes Now Available on Mybama
(download PDF press release)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Septmeber 5, 2012) – Students looking to add courses this semester can now register for Fall 2 minimester. Fall 2 minimester gives students the unique opportunity to take additional online courses after fall registration deadlines have passed.
The Student Government Association launched this initiative several years ago in response to the University’s rapid growth, which created a high demand for certain courses. All of the Fall 2 courses are taught online in order to allow students the ability to earn additional credits without interfering with their current schedules.
For students who had to drop a course this semester, Fall 2 minimester helps those students return to full-time status and is a great way to earn extra credit hours.
“Fall 2 can be a lifeline for many students because of the opportunity to earn extra credits after the regular fall registration deadlines have passed,” said Denzel Evans-Bell, vice president of Academic Affairs for SGA.
The credits earned under Fall 2 are equal to a normal full-term course, and the courses are taught over 10 weeks.
Fall 2 minimester courses begin on Sept. 24, and students can now register online at mybama.ua.edu.
The following courses are offered during Fall 2 minimester: Anthropology 100, Anthropology 102, Economics 110, Economics 111, English 101, English 102, Finance 302, History 101, History 203, Mathematics 100, Mathematics 110, Mathematics 112, Mathematics 121, Political Science 101, Psychology 101, Religious Studies 112, University Honors 120
Financial Affairs Committee Ready to Help Campus Organizations
(download PDF press release)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Sept. 10, 2012) – The Student Government Association’s Financial Affairs Committee (FAC) is prepared to start another semester by providing assistance and funding to student-run organizations. Vice President of Financial Affairs Andy Koonce leads this committee comprised of students, faculty and university representatives. With a budget of $200,000 per fiscal year, the FAC is dedicated to allocating these resources directly to student clubs and organizations.
“We’re in a great position to provide funding for almost all student organizations. So many groups go without funding because they simply don’t realize that it is available to them, and I don’t want to see that happen anymore,” said Koonce.
Campus groups interested in applying for FAC funding must have their organization’s president or treasurer attend a Source Foresight Workshop to further qualify for funding. The next workshop will be held on Monday, September 17, at 6:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Ferguson Center. Groups can register for the workshop online at mySOURCE.ua.edu before midnight on Sunday, September 16. To find other workshop dates, visit the SGA office located in 231 Ferguson Center.
Next, student groups fill out a Funding Request through their source page. Then they will present the Funding Request to FAC to answer any questions the FAC may have.
“FAC is a great student resource,” said Sam Liapri, president of UA’s Water Polo Team. “Without them we wouldn’t have ever been able to get the equipment we needed to grow the team or the chances we’ve had play at away tournaments. They were great to deal with and every club should apply for funding with them.”
The first meeting of the Financial Affairs Committee will be held on Monday, October 1, at 6:30 p.m. in room 204A Ferguson Center. Attendees must have completed the Source Foresight Workshop and applied for funding requests by midnight on Monday, September 24. For more information on FAC students may visit sga.ua.edu and look for FAC Information under Quick Links, or contact Vice President of Financial Affairs Andy Koonce at agkoonce@crimson.ua.edu.
About the Student Government Association:
The Student Government Association is comprised of three branches: the Executive Council, the Senate and the Student Judicial Board. The mission of the SGA at the University of Alabama is to preserve and defend the rights and privileges of student self-governance. We work to serve the common interest of students, to train ourselves in democratic government and to promote positive citizenship on campus. It is the goal of the SGA to work daily to earn students’ trust and to serve them with the upmost integrity. SGA believes in the motto of students serving students; therefore, if there is anything we can do for you, do not hesitate to contact us at www.sga.ua.edu.
Bama Dining and SGA Create All Access Dining Plan
(download PDF press release)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (April 18, 2012) – Bama Dining and the Student Government Association have partnered together to create an all access dining plan which allows for unlimited, all you can eat meals seven days a week.
“Three square meals each day is a thing of the past, so meal plan designs must be convenient and flexible to accommodate the busy student life,” said A.J. DeFalco, resident district manager for Bama Dining. “The new All Access Plan allows students to visit our meal plan locations as often as they want, when they want. Our kitchen is your kitchen!”
The All Access plan will replace the Silver 160 required for freshmen beginning in the fall of 2012. Upperclassmen will have the option to purchase an All Access plan, Silver 160, Bronze 90 or Bama 50 meal plan.
The All Access Plan will cost only $1,525 per semester and provides students unlimited access to the all you can eat locations. This price of the new All Access plan is less than the restricted Bama Gold 220 plan. UA’s dining costs are significantly less than other SEC unlimited dining plans; University of Georgia pays $1, 896 and Louisiana State University pays $ 1, 745.
“I think this is a great example of just how much SGA can get done through its relationships with Unviersity faculty and staff,” said Will Barto, speaker of the senate for SGA. “This meal plan optionallows students a great dining option at a very reasonable price.”
Student Government Association Sponsors Campus Veteran Association Banquet
(download PDF press release)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (April 20, 2012) – The Student Government Association and the Campus Veterans Association are partnering with the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs to host the first annual Campus Veterans Association banquet on April 26, 2012 at 6 p.m. at Hotel Capstone.
The SGA and CVA worked to create an event similar to a military ball which most veterans have experienced, but also to honor the academic achievements and leadership of the people in the UA community. The organizations intend for the banquet to become a yearly event to recognize graduating members of the UA community, to give awards to outstanding individuals and to serve as a Capstone event to end the academic year.
“This shows how much students truly care about veterans on our campus,” said Matt Harris, executive vice president of SGA. “Veterans risk their lives for our country and on behalf of the SGA, we are truly honored to be a part of this event.”
The CVA was created in 2009 as a response to a number of student veterans dropping out of the University due to hardships as they transitioned from military to civilian/student life. The CVA provides a support network for veterans, dependents and survivors. They strive to create a social experience that builds on the bonds forged during military service and also to provide reliable resources for veterans’ informational needs.
“I am proud of the progress we have made, in only three years, implementing improvements for veterans at UA” said Jordan Carpenter, president of CVA. “I am excited about what lies ahead as the UA community embraces its veteran and military population.”
At the event Dr. Lowell Davis will be presenting this year’s Capstone Heroes Awards. These awards recognize nominated students with 90+ credit hours that have displayed civic leadership and service to the Capstone.
This year, the SGA sponsored the first 45 students that signed up on sga.tix.com to attend the banquet. The 45 slots were filled after registration was open for only one day.
SGA Senate Passes Resolution to Relax Parking Parameters During Summer 2012
(download PDF press release)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (April 19, 2012) – The Student Government Association passed a resolution Thursday, April 19, 2012 to relax parking parameters for the summer term of 2012. The resolution declares that any student with any commuter parking hangtag can park in any red commuter zoned lot.
The resolution was written by Sam Gerard with input from Speaker of the Senate Will Barto. “I think this is a great example of SGA is listening to student concerns and helping make their lives easier,” said Barto. “I know parking is an issue impacting all students, and I think this program will definitely help alleviate some of the stress associated with parking on campus.”
The senate reasoned that there will be a substantially fewer number of students on campus over the summer, and a majority of students who will take classes this summer will be commuters. This resolution will allow convenience for commuters who wish to park in another commuter lot. In short, parking zones that were previously classified as Commuter West, Commuter Northeast and Commuter Southeast will simply be renamed Commuter for the summer term. The temporary privilege for commuter parking will be lifted once the permits expire in August 2012.
“Transportation Services is happy to partner with the SGA to test a pilot program that will allow individuals who have a current Commuter permit to park in any of the three Commuter Zones – West, Northeast or Southeast – from May 7 until August 15,” said Chris D’Esposito, assistant director of transportation services. “We are excited to work with the SGA to test the possibility of more summer flexibility this year and hope to be able to continue to implement it in summers to come.”