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The Organ of Student Expression Since 1925
The m aro o
Kelly Harper
Staff Writer
kjoharper08@yahoo.com
A fter decades of the typi
cal President-Vice Pres
ident-Secretary-Treasurer
SGA format, the Morehouse
SGA has undergone a struc
tural shakeup designed to al
ter the future of the organiza
tion and its impact.
Under the direction of two-
term SGA president, Travis
Randle, the Morehouse SGA
structure has shifted from
the traditional SGA format to
one that corresponds with the
administrative departments
related to campus oversight.
Randle was the initiator of
the new appointed positions;
each secretary is appointed by
Randle and voted on by the
Morehouse Senate.
“There were several systemic
changes that needed to happen
in SGA in order for us to be
come a highly-effective, impact
ful, and accomplished entity’
Randle said. “It was a glorified
high school student government
structure—you had the presi
dent, vice president, treasurer,
secretary, corresponding secre
tary, and so forth.”
Student advocacy was a pri
mary motivator in Randles
proposal to restructure the
SGA, and since his first term
in office, he has largely focused
on ensuring that this system
atic change would occur be
fore he leaves Morehouse in
the spring of 2012. Randle
stresses that the new structure
will allow the SGA to enhance
student advocacy as well as
provide a permanent, desig
nated liaison for SGA to work
with administration as well as
provide students with the ulti
mate Morehouse experience.
“It was hard to find a point
person for specific issues such
as academic affairs, alumni
affairs, institutional advance
ment, and other vital arenas
concerning student life at
Morehouse,” Randle said.
Although there were nu
merous supporters of the
change, Randles proposal was
not met without opposition
and concern.
“Last year, there was im
mense opposition,” Randle
said. “I submitted it to the Sen
ate and it was returned to me
a completely altered bill. The
appointed positions would not
have been officers. I think it
was a pretty flawed and non
sensical distinction; some peo
ple thought the plan was a way
for me to abuse my power.”
Campus Sees New Technology and Furniture
Tre’vell Anderson
Campus News Editor
anderson.trevell@yahoo.com
N ineteenth century classrooms and old,
gum-ridden desks are no more on the
campus of Morehouse College. Recently, aca
demic buildings that were once lacking tech
nological capabilities have been equipped with
a computer, projector, or television screen and
a podium to house the computer.
These developments were done as a result of
comments by students and faculty alike.
“Students,” Michael Hodge, chair of the so
ciology department, answered when asked the
cause of the improvements. “It’s all about you
guys.”
Hodge also mentioned the distraction old or
outdated technology became to the academic
===== inside track =
process, a concern voiced by the faculty.
According to Eric Richards, the director of
multimedia services for Morehouse, all class
rooms now have updated or new equipment in
hopes of improving the learning and teaching
environment for students and professors.
Students have responded positively to these
developments.
Students with classes in Wheeler Hall, how
ever, have had concerns regarding the new
desks.
“I didn’t see what was wrong with the older
desks,” Jordan Gleaves, freshmen sociology
major from Augusta, said. “Even though the
other desks were old, why switch to something
that is newer and less efficient.”
The downgrade in efficiency Gleaves speaks
of is in regard to the newer desks being small
er in size. The tabletop portion is now signifi
cantly smaller.
Vice President for Campus Operations, An
dre Bertrand, and Hodge said the new chairs
were an action taken after talking to teachers.
“We seek input from the users of the room
before making any decision,” Bertrand stated.
“We had requests from faculty wanting flex
ibility in the classroom.”
“Teachers said that the previous desks made
it difficult to make circles [which would add to
the learning experience],” Hodge said.
Students also have concerns in regards to
where the funds for these improvements came
from.
According to Bertrand, funds for the up
grades, in technology and furniture, came
from Title III funding.
“Title III involves funds allotted by the De
partment of Education,” Alana Veal, director
of strategic planning and Title III, said. “Funds
we receive are a part of the ‘Strengthening HB-
CUs’ program in which all eligible HBCUs re
ceive appropriations based on the amount of
students who receive Pell Grants, the number
of graduates, and the number of graduates
who progress to graduate institutions.”
The Title III website states that funds allot
ted through this program can be directed to
the “purchase, rental or lease of scientific or
laboratory equipment for educational purpos
es... construction, maintenance, renovation
and improvement in classrooms, libraries, lab
oratories, and other instructional facilities...”
Hodge and Bertrand believe that such new
developments will benefit students. Further
improvements to the campus are constantly
being made, with students at the forefront of
the goals.
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