The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: Opinions

CAMERON SECORD

The University is fortunate to host service organizations that channel student energy to improve the world beyond the Arch. Despite the remarkable achievement of these groups, their collective full potential is often marginalized as students divert resources to overcome unnecessary hurdles in their path.

Last summer, several organizations began a dialogue about removing these hurdles.

Leaders from Gamma Sigma Sigma (a service sorority), Habitat for Humanity, UGA HEROs, Invisible Children, UGA Miracle and Relay for Life began to seek a means for addressing conflict among themselves and with the University at large. Together these groups represent more than 4,100 students, more than $877,000 raised and tens of thousands of volunteer hours last year alone.

Though their achievement is undeniable, imagine what could be accomplished if improvements are made to current policies that hinder them. These groups decided to come together formally in a meeting they dubbed the "Student Service Summit" to seek student-driven resolution to the conflicts outlined above.

The Student Government Association was approached and asked to moderate this meeting and to pursue necessary action based on the outcome of the discussion. In preparation for the summit, SGA listened to the challenges service organizations face in accomplishing their missions.

Challenges for these organizations include muddled University policy and financial regulations. The summit includes leaders of the largest service organizations on campus. However, there is a mutual understanding that smaller service groups face similar obstacles. Their attendance is welcome, as the summit offers a unique opportunity for frank discussion.

In such an atmosphere, groups will be able to consider how to promote healthier competition and avoid trivial conflict with each other. From the consensus generated, SGA will continue working with these groups in order to advocate for changes to the University environment, which will better facilitate the goals of these organizations campus-wide.

The Student Service Summit is scheduled for Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be provided to participants, courtesy of the Blue Key Honor Society, which will host the event with SGA President Connor McCarthy serving as moderator.

If your student group is feels it can contribute to or benefit from the summit, then we want you to be there. Please contact congress@uga.edu by Oct. 22 at noon to have your group added to the agenda.

Finally, if you are the leader of a student group that is a non-service organization and have a concern that you feel SGA can assist you with, I encourage you to contact us as well. SGA is always looking for ways to improve our campus to make the goals of students more attainable.



- Cameron Secord is a student affairs liaison for SGA.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools