(12/08/04 12:00pm)
The College officially kicked off the holiday season last Thursday with Snowfest '04, a community service and social event combined with a celebration of different cultures.
The event, which was started in 1988 by College Union Board and the Student Government Association (SGA), highlights the diversity of the campus.
Speeches were given on the steps of Green Hall before Santa led the crowd to Brower Student Center, where student organizations made crafts to donate to the Ewing Head Start and Mercer Child Care Center programs.
Mary-Elaine Perry, vice president of Student Life, was impressed with the success of the night. "It seems over the years they have made an effort for religious and ethnic diversity," Perry said.
Katrina Wong, president of Asian American Association (AAA), agreed. Although she
felt the event could have been better publicized, she said that it was beneficial and covered an array of different cultures and holidays.
After President R. Barbara Gitenstein lit the Christmas tree in front of Green Hall, leaders from various campus organizations explained the significance of the traditions they celebrate.
Pedro Khoury, SGA executive president, first noted how important it is that everyone on campus comes together during the
holiday season, saying that he hoped the students at the College could contribute to working for peace on earth.
Wong spoke about the Chinese New Year, the most elaborate, colorful and important of the Chinese celebrations. "It signifies turning over a new leaf," Wong said.
Shannon McCray, president of Black Student Union (BSU), spoke about the seven-day African-American and Pan-American holiday of Kwanzaa, which has seven corresponding principles: unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creation and faith. The holiday helps people to reaffirm their commitment to their culture while learning more about themselves.
Anup Shah, SGA vice president of Community Relations, gave a speech about Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which was celebrated on Nov. 12 and signifies a new financial year.
Bethany Shifrin, vice president of relition for the Jewish Student Union (JSU), told the story of Hanukkah, while Joanna Holguin, vice president of Uni?n Latina, gave the Latin American view of Christmas. It incorporates Three King's Day, which falls on Jan. 6 and commemorates the Magi bringing gifts for Jesus after his birth.
Dave Herman, representing InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, told the story of the birth of Jesus from the Bible, turning away from the secular story of Santa bringing presents for children.
Fatima Mughal, representing the Islamic Society, spoke about Ramadan, a month-long holiday of fasting.
To conclude the event, Brianna Moles sung "Let There be Peace on Earth" and Father Joseph Hlubik gave Benediction.
(11/10/04 12:00pm)
The Student Government Association is on its way to reformation, according to Pedro Khoury, SGA president. Khoury spoke about the resolutions for no confidence and for resignation put up against him and how there is always room for improvement within the group. He tried to pass on his message of hope and revitalization to the rest of the organization.
"These past six or seven days have been life-changing," Khoury said. He went on to note that this was a time in which SGA had to excel and work cooperatively, but at the same time keep ideas freely flowing.
Khoury introduced a new addition to the agenda called "President's Questions," during which people could feel free to ask questions of Khoury about SGA. This could open the campus up to see what SGA does and question its actions if necessary. This would all be part of the plan to spread the word of the SGA and gain confidence from students.
The executive board also proposed a way in which to help the SGA. It decided on a committee for reform that would consist of different members of the SGA. The committee would meet to brainstorm ways to make the organization more efficient.
Khoury ended his speech on a positive note by saying, "We will conduct business not as usual but a little better." He noted that the SGA could always do more to help the entire community of the College.
According to Thea Schoenberg, executive officer of Student Services, students will soon have answers to questions that have come up all semester about Sodexho and the new Carte Blanche system. The answers will be available online shortly after all of the answers are double-checked with Sodexho superiors.
Students were also encouraged to go online to tcnjdining.com for information on the progress of the new dining system. Students ask questions and see the reports on the changes that have already been made on the site.
For even more input, there will soon be a survey of the student population regarding Carte Blanche. After one-third of the student population is surveyed the data will be used to help dining services with possible reforms.
SGA passed the bill on starting a Senior Week Committee. This committee will be a subcommittee of College and Community Relations, but they will have its own autonomy, allowing the Senior Week Committee to make its own decisions.
Many members of SGA rallied for the bill because of the huge responsibility that comes along with planning such a large event with such a large budget (last year's budget was $10,000). The bill was passed unanimously with no abstentions.
Other smaller points were covered in the meeting. One was the campus directories that have to be reprinted because they included students' campus addresses.
It was also reaffirmed that SGA and Inter-Greek Council will be co-hosting this year's 24-hour Student Center. There is still no definite resolution to the upper classmen's complaints about the guests allowed in Centennial and Norsworthy Halls after 8 p.m.