Renner: Communication is key
FINN PRESSLY
Assistant News Editor
Preparing for the largest first-year class in Saint Mary's history is no easy task, but Chrissie Renner is up to the challenge.
Renner, who began her term as student body president in the spring, has high hopes for the 438 new additions to the College.
"It's the biggest ever. They're going down in history," said Renner, who noted she has already been approached by some of the 42 freshmen in her section eager to get involved in the Student Government Association (SGA).
Last spring, Renner, with vice-president Michelle Nagle, helped initiate a monthly newsletter, as well as a new website. Both are designed to help improve communication with the SGA – an area Renner feels could use improvement.
"The lines of communication need to be a little bit stronger among the Student Government Association," Renner said. "We're plugging synergy."
To that end, Renner has planned bi-weekly meetings with the various boards of the SGA, in an effort to increase collaboration among members and diffuse any potential problems with scheduling events.
One of the events on the horizon, Saint Mary's Pride Week, began as a one-day event, but has recently expanded into a full week of activities.
"It turned into a week because we have so much to celebrate," she said.
One of the biggest items on the SGA agenda is the continuing attempt to have a study day added to the Saint Mary's academic calendar before finals week. While Notre Dame students have the Thursday and Friday before finals week designated as study days, Saint Mary's has none.
"We're asking for one right now," she said, crediting former president Nancy Midden and vice-president Angie Little for initiating the study day debate. "We've developed a task force on the Board of Governance."
This year, students will also receive visitors passes to host guests in the dining hall. Renner said that SGA has also investigated extending hours at the library, as well as the post office, which is currently open from noon to 3 p.m.
Under the SGA are five boards, each with their own particular mission and identity: the Board of Governance, Student Academic Council, Student Activities Board, Residence Hall Association and the Student Diversity Board.
"We have … incredible and very driven individuals," Renner said.
First-year students looking to get involved have many avenues to choose from, Renner said. One of the first, she said, will be the upcoming freshman class council elections. In addition to the positions of president and vice-president, who must run as a ticket together, there are 13 other independent board positions.
Because of the unprecendented size of the freshman class, Renner said that she and the rest of SGA have been brainstorming for a way to expand the candidate selection process to accommodate what she predicts will be a large field of contenders.
"People are just being elected by campaign posters … I don't really like that," she said, adding that a "Meet the Candidates" night, or similar forum, is among the ideas being floated in the brainstorming process.
All News Stories for Saturday, August 19, 2000
