The Triangle

Issue date: 5/16/08 Section: News

Kristen Smith was announced as the new president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association for the 2008-2009 academic year May 15.

Kristen Smith, a junior biomedical engineering major, has been named the new president of the Undergraduate Student Government Association for the 2008-2009 academic year.
Smith said she has many plans that she would like to implement, including more involvement in different aspects of the student community.
"I know [the University] from the student end and I know it from the administration end; I think that I am very well versed. That just gives me a better feel of what needs to be done," Smith said.
Emily Carbone, a freshman business major, said, "Her active involvement in the USGA in years prior makes her an excellent candidate for the job."
According to Smith, respect is one of the qualities that make someone a good leader, and she said she feels that she has earned that respect from other student government members.
Over the next year, Smith said she wants USGA to become more active in the student community.
"We will host more low-key events, either on Buckley or in the Quad. That way, students can share their questions and concerns," Smith said.
In the past, USGA has depended on students to come to them; however, next year Smith said she wants to change this so USGA reaches out to students first.
"Smith sounds like she is both dedicated and willing to work hard for Drexel students," Michelle Sclafani, a freshman physical therapy major, said.
Smith's platform focused on three main topics: office hours, billing and financial aid and the quality of student life.
"Students need access to academic and co-op advisors after normal business hours due to co-op or class conflicts," Smith wrote in her speech, posted on the USGA's web site during the voting process. "This can be done by extending office hours and implementing technological advancements such as instant messaging with an advisor."
According to Smith, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency grant that students receive for four years, as part of their financial aid, is not applied to the fifth year because Drexel never applied to the program as a five-year school. Students can only receive money if there is extra, after the initial allocations are sent out.
Smith said she plans to work hard to change this issue.
On the student life front, Smith said, "Drexel needs to have increased dining vendors, increased green space for athletics and recreation and an increase in public safety interactions around campus."
According to Smith, the president has always delegated many issues, causing a lack of accountability for the representatives. She said she plans to hold USGA members more accountable for what they do so more initiatives are completed.
Smith has been a part of USGA for three years and has served as archivist, personnel director and Government Operations Assembly chair. She is also involved with the Drexel Democrats, Drexel Dance Ensemble and Drexel ALS Awareness Association.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools