Back to the future

I am a naturally nostalgic person. I have this habit of consistently reminiscing on what I was doing a year ago from the present time. This time last year, I was getting excited for the RA conference, preparing to approach the Athletic Department about a relatively unknown dance called the Interlude and (not unlike this year) trying to stay warm. But perhaps my biggest focus was the upcoming 2011 Northern Iowa Student Government elections.

It's hard to imagine that it has already been almost a year since my good friend Spencer Walrath and I ran for student body president and vice president. What's even more unimaginable is that we are soon approaching the end of our year-long term. As I nostalgically browsed through our campaign website www.spencer-ian.com, I recalled the excitement and passion we shared toward NISG and the University of Northern Iowa's possibilities.

As we enter the final three months of the current term, we continue to channel the same fervor for "working for the YOUniversity" that we had a year ago. There is still plenty we wish to contribute at all different levels. I will highlight some of our primary objectives:

    President Walrath has been in contact with student organizations about constructing a permanent and durable suggestions box for the student government. This will allow students and staff to submit their suggestions to NISG on improvements for UNI, ensuring that students have an efficient stream of communication to all future student governments. The box will be installed in the Union within the next couple weeks.

    In further effort to connect students and their government, Spencer and I will partake in regular "tabling" this semester. Every Monday over the lunch hour, please stop by our table and ask us a question, give an opinion on an issue, or simply say hello!

    Last semester, I helped form a committee to develop the program Panther Points. Panther Points was one of the "big ideas" from our campaign. It will be an incentives program in which students can earn points for engaging in UNI events and activities. Then we "trade in" these points for incentives, such as prizes and discounts. I will reveal more details of the program later in the semester.

    Director of Governmental Relations Rhonda Greenway has spearheaded lobbying initiatives. She and Director of Public Relations Morgan Johnson have created postcards as friendly reminders from UNI students to our state legislature about the importance of funding our university. Rhonda has also helped plan a lobbying video as well as the annual Regents Day at the state capital, a day when potentially hundreds of students from the Iowa, ISU and UNI will come together to ensure our voices are heard. She will also be traveling to the capitol on a regular basis.

    Director Johnson, Webmaster Adam Shannon, and I will work to continue improving and revitalizing the NISG website for more appeal and easier access to information.

    President Walrath and others will continue to work on sustainability programming and long-term strategic sustainable planning for UNI.

    Chief of Staff EmilyAnn Brueck has collaborated with Director of Greek Affairs Luke Hanson and Ellyn Konrardy and Director of Campus Activities Zach Fisher to plan for the annual Alcohol Awareness Week, coming up in March. Director Brueck has also worked with Director of Volunteerism Kelsie Fruchtenicht to organize a toiletry drive.

    I have collaborated with Senator Nate Konrardy, Chris Apling and others in initating the first annual UNIty Week, happening in March. UNIty Week is centered on promoting inclusive action in order to come together as Panthers and as people. I will provide more information later. In the meantime, we are hosting a preview event for UNIty Week this Thursday in the Maucker Union at 8 p.m.! Gay-Straight Alliance, an improv troupe, will perform and then lead a Q-and-A discussion. Hope to see you there!

This laundry list is only a brief highlight of what NISG continues to work on every day. Never hesitate to contact us with questions or suggestions at nisg@uni.edu or individually. 
We do not have a DeLorean machine to help us see what the future holds, but I look forward to it every day!