With Thanksgiving Break just around the corner, it is hard to believe the Fall semester is already coming to a close. The SGA has been hard at work accomplishing a number of projects and initiatives with many new ideas making their way into action.

President Shane Bouthillette and Vice President Colin Santee, along with Senator Nasser Abdel-Fatah, have been meeting with the Vermont State Colleges Student Association. The VSCSA has made its priority addressing funding for higher education and fostering closer connections between all the VSC schools.

Accordingly, the JSC SGA is focusing on two initiatives. On Tuesday, Nov. 13, President Bouthillette and Vice President Santee are traveling to the State House in Montpelier and meeting with the Governor and Secretary of State. There, they and other members of the VSCSA will be presenting on the value of higher education in creating an educated and competitive workforce, as well as advocating for better funding. Additionally, the SGA is organizing a rally to be held on campus Thursday, Nov. 29, to raise awareness and support for the issue. Be on the look out for more information as the date draws nearer.

On Tuesday, Oct. 23, the SGA sponsored a Voter Registration Drive. Thank you to all who came by to register and request absentee ballots. That drive registered over 50 voters. Combined with other registration initiatives that took place on campus, that’s a total of nearly 100 newly registered or re-registered voters.

Several Senate projects have been successfully accomplished. Senator Abdel-Fatah’s initiative for a better group study space has been approved. Currently he is working with several departments on campus to make sure the room is equipped with all the necessary resources. Once the final details have been organized, the space will be operational.

Senator Zach Jerome has met with people in SHAPE and the Maintenance Department regarding the upkeep of the Frolf course. New recycling containers will be ordered and installed in better locations throughout the course. Also, gravel will be placed at selected tee boxes refurbishing them and minimizing greater damage to the course overall.

Senator Lauren Lepage worked with the folks at the Advising and Career Center to train a few of the SGA members as Peer Advisors. Peer Advisors are around the dorms Monday and Wednesday evenings starting at 7 p.m. and throughout the week in the Advising and Career Center to assist everyone in class selection and registration.

In response to concerns voiced by some students, Senator Jess Simon worked with ResLife to obtain a new pool table for the recreation space on the first floor of Stearns. The new table has already been delivered to the delight of many students here on campus.

As a follow up from an event at the start of the semester, the SGA hosted a Q&A event Tuesday Nov. 7. Thank you to all who came and shared their ideas, questions, and concerns. A number of new ideas were discussed and the SGA is looking forward to implementing these student generated initiatives.

If you were unable to attend the Q&A event but have questions or ideas, please stop by the SGA Office in Stearns. The office is open typically from 8am until 4pm and members are more than happy to take the time to chat with students. Also, the SGA has a new Facebook Page. Login and check out JSC Student Government Association (www.facebook.com/jscsga) and “like” the page as a way to stay updated and share your thoughts. As always, SGA weekly meetings are public and everyone is welcome to attend. The meetings are held Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in Dewey 1867. Please note, the final weekly meeting of the SGA for the Fall semester will be held Thursday, Dec. 6.