Virginia 21

During the 2009-2010 school year you will see an increased presence on Longwood's campus from a organization named Virginia 21. Virginia21 is an action-tank involving young people across the Commonwealth in the political process by providing information, directing advocacy and coordinating political action on a non-partisan issue agenda. Virginia 21’s agenda focuses on policies that matter to building a better future for Virginia: Acting today to shape tomorrow. The primary focus of Virginia 21 is to focus on issues related to higher education.



Virginia 21 began back in 2002 on the campus of William and Mary when a group of students came together and said that Virginia needed a student lead pac committee that would devote its focus to issues of higher education. Nearly eight years later the organization has accomplished alot and maintains a stellar reputation in the halls of Richmond and on college campuses across the Commonwealth. Virginia 21 is involved with every public institution of higher education across the Commonwealth and maintains that contact and involvement through the use of Campus Coordinator's and by keeping in touch with SGA Presidents.



Accomplishments of Virginia 21 include the passing of the texbook fairness act and reform act back in 2004, the passing of a 2 year college transfer program that allows students attending community college to transfer to public institutions, and a massive Capital improvement program passed last year that has benifited all colleges across the Commonwealth. Virginia 21 has successfully lobbied for millions of dollars that have been put towards higher education in the Commonwealth.



Longwood looks to increase its involvement with Virginia 21 and next year the group looks to focus on getting the student body to understand the uber importance of the organization. Virginia 21 is special because there is no organization within Virginia and across the nation that is soley devoted to advancing higher education and focusing soley on the students needs.



Virginia 21 provides a forum for students across the Commonwealth to come together and share concerns and ideas on how to better Virginia particularly through the legislative process. Longwood is fortunate to be apart of that forum and we look forward to having you become apart of VA 21 next year.



~Cam Patterson~

The Virginian

During the Tuesday April 21st Senate meeting the Student Senate listened to a presentation regarding the Virginian. The presentation was made by former Vice President Stephen Lee who along with his committee worked on this issue during the past Senate session. The Student Finance Committee during the budget allocation process voted to include into the SGA budget a blank line item of 20,000. This was done in an effort to give the Senate a option as to whether they wanted to continue with the USA Today Readership Program or proceed into a contract to produce The Virginian (yearbook). The Senate voted to include into the budget for the 2009-2010 school year 20,000 to fund the Virginian yearbook. The funding of the Virginian signaled the end of the USA Today College Readership Program that began during year two of the Philip Burns administration. There was no way financially that the SGA could fund both the Virginian and Readership Program.


The Virginian making its way back to campus is very exciting for the University. The Virginian has been apart of University life for many years and it is wonderful to be able to bring back a wonderful LU tradition. For the first couple of publications the Virginian will be housed as an entity of the Student Government Association. The Virginian staff will be led by Chief Editor Kae Poe and will receive direct supervision from Vice President Van Daniker and myself.


There are some students that are against the funding of the Virginian and they raise perfectly valid points. I strongly encourage these students to lobby your SGA Senate during the next school year and voice your frustrations. We do listen and we will take your concerns into consideration as we proceed with the next budget allocation process for the 2010-2011 school year. I will say that the 67th session of the Student Senate spoke very clearly when they voted to bring the Virginian back. The 2009-2010 Executive Board will honor there wishes and proceed with the publication of the Virginian. As a Student Government we will throw our full support behind the Virginian and provide assistance to the staff as they go about putting the book together. It is our hope and goal along with the Virginian staff to make this yearbook something that Longwood and its students can be proud of.


Kind Regards,


Cam Patterson
President, Student Government Association

Message regarding the 2009-2010 Budget

During the April 21st SGA Senate meeting the budget for the 2009-2010 school year was passed. The Student Finance Committee and the Student Senate made additional cuts to some student groups in an effort to trim down the budget. Entering the allocation process this year, the Student Finance Committee and the Senate faced the dilemma of seeing an increase in organizations and the amount requested, and no significant increase in the revenue sources that we had to allocate from. This has forced us to tighten our belts, and to cut back on some programs and initiatives that were funded in the past.

In this budget you will find across the board cuts in regards to conferences, uniforms, publicity, and food items. We strongly encourage all organizations to come back during the fall semester to request funding for those items that were cut from your budget, particularly for conferences. The first Student Finance Committee meeting will begin during the second week of school; check the http://lancer.longwood.edu/org/sga for more details.

We will also hold a meeting with all clubs and organizations early in the fall semester to explain the budget cuts, and some things to look out for during the upcoming school year in regards to the Student Finance Committee. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your budget, please email myself Cameron Patterson at sgapresident@live.longwood.edu or Executive Treasurer Shawn Fidler at sgatreasurer@live.longwood.edu. We would be more than happy to meet with you if necessary. Best of luck on your exams and enjoy your summer vacation.

Kind Regards,

Cameron D. Patterson

President, Student Government Association

Shawn Fidler
Executive Treasurer, Student Government Association

The official blog of the SGA

I want to welcome you to the official blog of the Student Government Association. Here you will be updated with the latest happenings within the Student Government Association. You wont find any personal opinions here from any members of the orgnization, only the latest and most up to date news.

Cam Patterson
President-Elect

Moving Forward

The recent elections for all three branches of the Student Government mark a new beginning for the organization. But I can look back on the 08-09 school year and truly say that there was allot accomplished and allot to be proud of, many of our peers might not visually see some of those accomplishments, but they were defiantly there. The Big Event led by Senator Rolfe, Senator Cooney, and Historian Coney, the hiring of a Financial Technician led by President Revene, and the discussions that took place between the Board of Visitors, Administration, and SGA regarding textbook prices and tuition rates are just a few accomplishments that we can all be proud of as lancers.



With the many accomplishments that we have had, there is always room for improvement and growth. The SGA will continue to strenghthen and continue upon the accomplishments of the past Senate and SGA administration, but most importantly the 68th Session of the Student Senate will chart its own new path. This year you will see a more active, more visable, more transparent organization that will be more pro-active in seeking positive results for the Students of Longwood.



Cam Patterson

SGA President-Elect