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THE
Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville, TN | 38505 | Est. 1924
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RACLE
Volume 98 | Issue 17 | Free in single copy | April 4, 2014
SGA executive elections Tuesday By DRAKE FENLON Managing Editor
The elections for the 2014-2015 SGA Executive Council will take place online on Tuesday, April 8th. Offices to be filled include the positions of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. According to SGA minute data, this is the first year since the 2012 election of Lee Gatts to president that more than one candidate has run for the SGA’s highest
executive position. This year, four candidates are vying for the presidential position. Shabir Bhegani, Kyle Bieze, Emily McDonald and Roy West are all in the running. Since a campaign rules meeting Tuesday, April 1, the four separate campaign teams have been working to promote their candidate to the highest level they can with posters, buttons and signage.
Sarah Townsend is Kyle Bieze’s campaign manager. “I think that we’re covering spots of campus that normally don’t get approached for SGA,” Townsend said. ”I’ve never been a part of something like this before, so it is pretty interesting.” In addition to the race for president, the race the vice president race pits current SGA senator Billy Hutton against 2-term SGA secratary Daniel Tribble.
The races for treasurer and secretary are completely between current Freshman Senators. Freshman Senator Will Gabelman will take on Freshman Senator Alex Martin in the race for the postion of treasurer. Freshman Senator Kellie Collins will go against Miranda Stoltz for the office of secretary. Voting will take place April 8th from 9 a.m. til 5 p.m.
Meet the Candidates:
Thief attempts to sell items stolen from Bruner Hall on LSN By BRITTANY STOVALL Beat Reporter A woman was recently cited with theft after allegedly stealing items from several professors in Bruner Hall. Jennifer G. Halilou, 33, of Cummins Mill Road, Cookeville, was issued five citations over the last two weeks after reportedly admitting to stealing items on separate occasions, according to affidavits and citations from Tech Officer Michael Lambert. Reports state Halilou took a $280 Apple iPad Mini belonging to a professor out
of Room 227-C on March 14 and attempted to sell the item on Local Sales Network. On March 20, Halilou then took a $125 Texas Instruments calculator belonging to another professor from Room 320 and attempted to also sell it on Local Sales Network. And she reportedly took a $100 gift card from yet another professor on Feb. 18. Also taken were a $60 digital camera out of Room 235 on March 24 and a $125 My Book Computer hard drive on March 24. Halilou has an April 28 court date for all citations.
No update available on SAE fire By SARAH TOWNSEND Beat Reporter
Shabir Bhegani
Kyle Bieze
Emily McDonald
Roy West
Nashville, TN
Smyrna, TN
Chattanooga, TN
Hometown:
Hometown:
Hometown: Class: Senior
Major:
Hometown: Class: Senior
Major:
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Organizations:
Organizations:
-SGA Member 2010-2012 -Administrative Council -Minority Affairs’ Ambassador -R.A.C.E. Mentor
Why to vote for Shabir:
Shabir Bhegani wants students to “Launch from the P.A.D!” Bhegani said, “I want to be the fuel that helps launch our university to the goal of being a regional university by using the P.A.D. Pillars. I want us to have presence. “From getting hydration stations to SOLO concerts, everyone’s voice will be heard. “I believe we need more advocacy through action in dealing with administration to hear and act on the concerns of the 10,000 plus students on the campus. “Finally, I believe we need more diversity. We can work to obtain inclusivity with more than just words, but with active campaigns to get more women in S.T.E.M., increase ethnic minority numbers, to better assist the disabled, and more until the issues are resolved. “As SGA President, I will continue my life’s mission of being a leader who serves the people in our community. What makes me different from the other candidates is that I will not attempt to win your votes with give-a-ways. I want to gain your support with the take-a-ways. “I believe we can have fun and still get work done by cultivating the relationship between SGA and the students by illustrating that whether Greek or non-Greek, we are all students first and we can work together to better Tech.”
-SGA Member since 2012 -Chairman-Student Affairs Committee
-Math Club -Kappa Mu Epsilon-Honors
Why to vote for Kyle:
Bieze said, ”Student Government needs a strong relationship with the student body. We need to be more professional and set higher standards for ourselves. We need to close loopholes and restructure the way student government runs and be willing to part with some of our flawed processes. “Our constitution, our website, our relationship with students, our ideas…it all needs to change. I am willing to put in the time and dedication to fix things from the ground up. “I can say whole-heartedly say that I care about every student on this campus, and am willing to do whatever it takes to create a more open and involved student government. SGA should be an organization that has a close relationship with the student body. It should be a group that is ready to answer any concern any student may have. “One aspect most people seem to notice about my campaign is my lack of affiliation with a Greek organization. “I think this puts me in a position to better represent the entire Tech student population, rather than the interest of one group. “It’s time to stop voting for tradition and legacy and elect a voice for the student body, one willing to offer new solutions to old problems.“
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Class:
The investigation of the former S.A.E. house fire is ongoing. Police are continuing to conduct interviews with people who might have been involved. Tech Activities Director Mark Ochsenbein said “It really comes out of the D.A.’s office…how they charge it, who they charge, if they charge anyone.” If the fire is ruled an arson, which is still undetermined, anyone found responsible will be charged with aggravated arson due to the fact a firefighter was
La Vergne, TN
Class:
Senior
Graduate Student
Secondary Education - Math
Masters in Business Administration
Organizations:
Organizations:
Major:
Major:
-SGA Member since 2010 -SGA Vice President (2013-2014) -Phi Mu -President’s Ambassador
-SGA Member since 2010 -SGA Treasurer (2012-2013) -Phi Delta Theta - Vice President -Residental Assistant
McDonald has goals for her campaign. She said, “My goals for SGA as President are to improve communication between the students and their Senators, improve the student experience at TTU, and be a voice for all students. One way I believe we can improve SGA is by simply having better communication between the SGA Senators and the students. “To have effective SGA Senators, we need effective communication. Some ideas to accomplish this would be having a “campus canvas” day where Senators would talk with students about the issues they face and how SGA can help. We will also continue to have the SGA Town Hall meetings where SGA hosts a speaker to talk with students about improvements that are being made at Tennessee Tech, as well as the recent bills that have been passed in the Senate. “To promote a better student experience for all students, I want the SGA to host events (or maybe co-host with other student organizations) where we could bring motivational speakers, local bands, artists, etc. to campus. “By working closely with my fellow Executive Council members, I hope to accomplish these, along with many more, ideas for improving SGA and your student experience.”
Roy West plans to “bring sexy back” to campus if elected. West said, “Fresh ideas, strong leadership, and Tech spirit beyond compare are what set my executive team apart from our competition and to me that’s SEXY. 1. Advocacy: I believe our greatest responsibility as a student government is to serve as an active voice for student priorities in order to ensure the direction of our University aligns with what our students actually need. 2. Outreach: Student government should be a first line of communication for our students as well as a source of support and funding to grow our student organization and enhance the student experience. While our S.O.L.O. fund was designed specifically with this goal in mind, we need to make the funding process less ambiguous and more accessible for student groups. 3. Collaboration: SGA is comprised of members from all across campus, many of which are also leaders in other campus organizations. As SGA president, I want to foster a network of collaboration between the SGA and student organizations to provide more events and entertainment to students. Student government should be seen as a source of help not a hindrance.”
Why to vote for Emily:
Why to vote for Roy:
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injured. “We are gathering names, we’ve got information, and we’ve got the police reports,” Ochsenbein said. “It is coming along well.” Sigma Alpha Epsilon continues to operate under the cease-and-desist ordered the day of the incident. This bars the fraternity from all chapter operations with the exception of advisement meetings. It will remain in place until the investigation concludes. “Whatever we do will be well thought-out,” Ochsenbein said. “We’re going to do what is best for the University and the students.”
SGA looks to TBR for policy changes By BRITTANY STOVALL Beat Reporter
SGA approved a bill this week to help give students a bigger refund for classes they drop after the semester begins. Alex Martin, freshman senator, presented the bill during the April 1 meeting. “Essentially, what I want to do with this bill is to ensure a larger refund,” Martin said. Currently, students are able to receive up to a 75 percent refund for class drops or withdrawals from the first day of classes through the
first two weeks after they start. After that, students are given a 25 percent refund for a period of time. Martin The bill states, “It is unreasonable to pay 25 percent of the entire cost of a course for only a week of instruction.” Martin said he wanted to “hold the current 75 percent drop date, or roll the 75 percent drop date until after the first week of classes.” According to the bill, SGA will seek Tennessee See “Martin,” page 2
Annual Health fair Tuesday at Fit By JAKE THREET Beat Reporter The annual health fair will take place this Tuesday, April the 8, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Tech Fitness Center. Last year, over 1,500 people attended the event, with between 50 and 60 organizations presenting. Organizations in attendance included GNC, EXPW Club, Crossfit Mayhem, and Outdoor Experience. Abbey Jaffe, health and promotions coordinator, expects there to be the same amount of organizations
present this year. However, unlike years past, a third party will not represent the Health and Promotions Office. “For the first time ever, we are going to be representing ourselves,” said Jaffe. “Hopefully this will give people a chance to see what Health Promotions offers.” The office’s staff will be around to talk about equipment orientations and exercise recommendations. The personal trainers and massage therapist will be on hand to answer questions, as well. See “Health,” page 3
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