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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. News 1 World & Local 3 Business & Tech 4 Features 6 Opinions 7 A&E 10 Sports 12 Black Girls Rock! Hypocrisy at Spelman Top 20 Mixtapes on the web w w w. t h cm a ro o n t i ge r. c om w w w. t w itter.com /1 h e m a r o on t i ge r Recycle The Maroon Tiger