SGA 10-28

The curtains closed on the Twilight Players' request for $750 to pay for a musical director of its spring production during Wednesday night's student government meeting.

After approving a reallocation request of $250 for the Twilight Players, the other club representatives voted to dismiss the request for funding an additional $750. Members Nadine Grimley and Dave Daley addressed the room.

"I think that's really fair, in my opinion," Daley said. "It's about seven student activity fees, and we expect over 300 people to attend."

The other representatives voiced concerns about the uncertainty over who would be the musical director if the request was granted. The Spirit Squad asked whether the Twilight Players had looked internally at the college to find a staff member with proper qualifications.

"We've looked within the college and they don't want to help us at all," Grimley said, adding later, "We have contacted Beth Norris but she refuses to support this play in any way, shape, or form."

When it was mentioned that last year's musical director was student Chris Arsenault, who was paid for his services, a flurry of comments from the crowd ensued.

"If you have to hire a student as musical director, are you going to pay them? They don't get paid to run student government," Sam Monroe of the Hockey Club said, pointing to the executive board on the stage.

"The editor of the paper doesn't get paid either," said Rachel Keller, sophomore representative.

After a debate that lasted over 30 minutes, the Twilight Players' request was denied.

In other business, Chris Mullen, a student involved in the sustainable food program, addressed the SGA to gather support as the group makes changes in food services at LSC.

"95 percent of the food we eat could come locally and cheaper than what we have now," Mullen said. "The other 5 percent being spices that don't come from America."

The program's main objective is to buy local products to sell to Aramark at a cheaper price than what is currently being purchased. The foods would then be processed at LSC by students, which might offer more jobs on campus.

"We need support from students to get this ball rolling," said Mullen.

The Lyndon Ultimate club also requested to reallocate funds. The motion passed without debate to move $200 for a Dartmouth tournament later this year.

American Women in Radio and Television requested changes be made in its constitution regarding dues and the alternative house representative position. These requests were approved.

New Clubs at LSC

Students with interest in photography or community service now have some more opportunities to get involved at LSC.

The Lyndon State Photographers Society and the ROTARACT Club were both voted in during the Oct. 14 meeting of the student government association. With official club statuses, representatives from both clubs are expected at the meetings to participate in decision-making, and will be able to request funding.

The Photographers Society's purpose is to allow students with interest in photography to get together to critique one another's work, share ideas, and learn about the various types, according to president Amanda Racine. The club is planning fundraising events such as a hometown series, club calendar, and a Quimby Gallery show.

With a complete executive board and advisors Linda Bryan, Bob McCann, and Tess Conant, the club is meeting this week to discuss an official meeting schedule.

Racine is encouraging anyone interested to join the club. "We plan to do big things and make an impact on the Lyndon Community. We are open to anyone, experience or no. The fun thing is learning, as well as being able to teach others what we know."

"The ROTARACT Club an organization on the Lyndon State campus based on community service, professional excellence, and strong leadership skills," said Bennett Sayles, vice president. "When you join ROTARACT you get to meet with local business leaders once a month to build a relationship with them."

The club has already begun its events for the year, beginning with the Northeast Kingdom Youth Services Shelter Walk and the local chapter's Penny Sale. Other possible events include the annual food drive sponsored by the campus activities board, and Relay for Life in St. Johnsbury, according to Sayles. He also added that there will be further meetings to discuss more fundraising activities, as many of the programs the club participates in are voluntary and not for making money.

SGA meeting 10-14

The second time was the charm for the High Society during Wednesday's SGA meeting, when the club received funding for its new skating boxes.

After being rejected for $877.79 during the Oct. 1 meeting, the High Society brought in an audience of 32 club members to illustrate the amount of usage the boxes would be getting if funded.

After presenting a video featuring the different ways to use boxes in the winter months, the High Society explained that the amount it was requesting included every fee needed to complete construction. When Suzanne Proulx of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) voiced concerns about the project not being built last year when funds were given to the club, Brian Wilcock addressed the members of the High Society.

"How many of you are willing to help build the boxes?", he asked. Every member raised their hands. "They will be built this year."

The High Society received the total amount requested. As soon as it was announced, the 32 club members erupted into applause and proceeded to leave the meeting, frustrating some of the representatives.

"Yeah, there they go," Sam Utz of Leadership Recognition said. "It really grinds my gears."

Other business included Erin Rossetti presenting the idea of a residence hall association that would work with the SGA and Student Life in order for students living on campus to voice ideas and concerns. An informational meeting will be held Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Rita Bole lounge.

The Lyndon Strikers requested $1000 due to the number of active members in the club.

"We're looking for this money to get through this semester and quite possibly next semester as well," said Jordan Sherman, vice president of the club. "We currently have over 30 active members, so unfortunately fundraising doesn't cover it all."

The Strikers' request was granted, bringing the general fund to $27, 514.12.

Two new clubs have gained SGA-approved status as well. The Rotaract, an organization designed to do community service, is being headed by Bennett Sayles. The club plans to do a food drive with the campus activities board, and to stay involved with SGA, an issue the club had in the past.

The Lyndon State Photographers Society was also approved. Amanda Racine, president of the club, said that there will be numerous fundraising events going on this year. According to Racine, the club will be producing a 'hometown series' of photos, depicting different regions of New England to be made into a book. It will also be creating a calendar. Both of these items will be for sale.

In other business, the representatives of SGA voted to formally revoke the club status of Students For Global Change, after a representative failed to attend three meetings this semester. There are currently no active members in the club.

Women in 'Male' Majors

Samantha Couture is only one of three women in her class to be majoring in atmospheric science.

Most atmospheric science classes are male-dominated, according to Couture. There are only ten junior students at LSC working toward this degree, and three are women. She believes that men and women are both pressured to succeed in any major but that in atmospheric science, "It may be a little harder for women to stand out."

Although women have been making strides in the fields of science and math for decades, there is still an inequality of gender. At Lyndon State College, women are still the minority in the atmospheric science field, according to statistics from Heather Ring, associate registrar. There are currently 84 students enrolled in the atmospheric science program at LSC. Of those 84, 20 are female.

Couture added that because her major is challenging, many students (both male and female) choose not to continue in the program. She said that the junior class started with 30 atmospheric science majors, and that number has dropped to ten. "Even now I feel like I am being questioned as to if I am serious about the major."

Amber Hartman is a junior exercise science major with a concentration in pre-professional physical therapy. There are currently 110 students in the program, with 71 males and 39 females.

Hartman feels that although the number of men far outweighs that of women, there is no struggle to compete against the opposite sex. "I feel that all Exercise Science Department students work hard towards what we do and accomplish," Hartman said.

One disadvantage to the major is the lack of female professors, according to Hartman. "It has improved with the addition of Coach Khairallah to our department," she said. "It's nice having a strong woman to look up to."