Vol. 92, Issue 3
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SGA president emphasizes greater student involvement
By Maria Beaudoin
Echo staff writer
This year, homecoming activities have changed, which has caused some grumbling. Timothy Peterkin explains his position.
Sitting in a plush, high-backed armchair, Timothy Peterkin talks confidently about his vision for the Student Government Association of N.C. Central University.
He seems articulate, poised and determined. The new SGA president talks of a future of higher awareness for issues pertinent to NCCU’s campus by students and the SGA.
However, rumors of a cancelled homecoming show are all that many NCCU students claim to have heard about the new SGA president.
Instead of the traditional homecoming concert, there will be a comedy show featuring Montana Taylor, Comedian DS, and Arnez J.
“I’m not happy about the homecoming situation,” said English senior, Danisa Baker. “As a senior, I was hoping my last homecoming would be something special.”
According to Peterkin, the decision was made because past homecoming concerts have been poorly attended.
Due to the high budgets of the shows and the competition with other universities for attendance, the comedy show was decided on as a unique variation to set NCCU apart.
Also, there will also be a series this year called “Honoring Our University.”
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| Timothy Peterkin, NCCU’s SGA president, pictured here in his office. Maria Beaudoin/ Echo Staff Photographer |
On Friday, Oct. 27, “Honoring Our University with Wealth” will be held to introduce the NCCU Eliminate Apathy Scholarship Fund.
All organizations on campus are being asked to donate a minimum of $25 to the fund, which will be awarded to two students for helping to decrease apathy through involvement.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, “Honoring Our University with Work” will be held for students, faculty, and staff to clean up and decorate the campus for homecoming week.
In addition to the traditional Pre-Dawn Show, the Ms. NCCU Cabaret Show and various variety shows will be held.
However, Peterkin’s primary focus is to raise student awareness and involvement, not to focus on social activities only.
One means of achieving this is the “One Stop, No Excuse Voting” program implemented by the SGA for Oct. 16 through Nov. 3.
This is designed to increase student voting by allowing them to vote with an absentee ballot.
Anyone registered in Durham County can vote Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We’re focused on election 2000,” said Peterkin. “That’s taking up a lot of our time and effort right now.”
Peterkin says he didn’t anticipate the pressures of his new responsibilities and the time involved.
“I’ve always been involved in campus life,” said Peterkin. “But, this has been a lot more work than I thought it would be. Other students are giving so much of their own time, but it takes a lot of people to do what we’re doing.”
Peterkin is also on the search committee for the new chancellor.
“I think we need a chancellor that reflects the culture of the university,” said Peterkin. “We need someone who has an awareness of the status of HBCUs and understands the experiences we share.”
The new SGA is also working on a new constitution.
“It will be a structural-type document,” said Peterkin. “A lot was left out of the old constitution, leaving a lot of questions unanswered.”
The new constitution is being revised to resolve hypothetical situations that the current constitution doesn’t have solutions for.
For example, questions surrounding last year’s controversy will be resolved in the new constitution.
Last spring, Rashaun Rucker was elected SGA president. Later he was found ineligible because he didn’t have enough credit hours to qualify as a senior.
Many debated over whether his status should prevent him from holding office. Some feel the election board did not thoroughly examine the candidates’ qualifications.
Others feel juniors should be eligible for election. Under the new constitution, juniors would be eligible to run for SGA president.
Despite the controversy, Peterkin says that everyone has been helpful and that there are no hard feelings between he and Rucker.
“Rashaun has been very helpful and everyone is working together,” said Peterkin. “I think the students appreciate what we’re doing.”
According to Peterkin, NCCU has not had a new constitution since 1976.
A student forum will be held to listen to student concerns and suggestions for the new constitution.
Then, the document will be sent to the student legislature, and they will vote on it and send it back to the SGA.
The final approval will be in the spring, and the new constitution will be effective the next academic year.
“We are restructuring aspects pivotal to the role of student leaders in the future,” said Peterkin. “Under the new constitution, they will have more authority.”
Peterkin and the SGA are also focusing on increased coed visitation, the check-in/out procedure, parking, the increasing number of students on campus, and student fees.
“There is more emphasis on student involvement and more visibility of the student government,” said Angela Terry, vice chancellor for student affairs.
“The student government is more involved in the life of the campus and in decision making and there is less emphasis on social planning,” said Terry.
Still, some students want to see more social interaction on campus.
“I prefer to see more activities geared towards students on
campus,” said Danisa Baker. “We need more activities that are free,
on campus, and inviting to the students. The campus is kind of dead right
now.”
Peterkin hopes to build ties between the SGA and the student body.
“We really want to hear student concerns and the student leaders are always there to listen,” said Peterkin. “Our concern was to set a precedent and to raise standards. There has been a lot of inconsistency in the past.
“I think the students, when they think about it, really appreciate what
we’re doing this year.”