Student Government Part 5 : Building a Better Baylor

Not only does student government have a major impact on the Baylor community, but it also impacts the students who serve in the government as well.

Student government delegates at
the Big XII Student Government Conference

Serving as a student government member provides vast opportunities of being a part of the current changes at Baylor. The members become one of the essential pieces in forming the Baylor experience. Writing legislations that actually cause change on campus is one of the most rewarding parts.  They act as the representatives of the student body.

“I joined Senate because I wanted to be the voice for my constituents’ voice,”Sophomore senator Brian Kim, Houston said.

Student government members are among the first to know about the various issues that are effecting the Baylor campus and Waco community. They are also among the first to know about the different events that will be taking place at Baylor.

Student Body President Michael Wright and EVP Cristina Galvan
speaking at Judge Starr's Inauguration 

But beyond knowing about current Baylor events and changes, student government also acts as a launching pad for opportunities after life at Baylor. Many senators have gone on to have internships and jobs with government officials and lawmakers. Former student body President Jordan Hannah is currently serving directly under Baylor president Judge Ken Starr. The leadership experience that is gained in student government can be used  in the future careers of the current members.

Student Government Part 4: Student Senate

Student senate acts as the legislative branch and exists to advocate on behalf of the student body.

Senators at President Ken Starr's Inauguration 

There are 52 representatives elected by the student body to represent each class. Thirteen from each class.Within student senate, these members are separated into six standing committees to insure that the student body is most efficiently represented. These committees include: Academic Affairs, Community Life, Finance, Operations & Procedures, Public Relations and Limited Allocation Fund.

Each student contributes $5.70 per semester as a part of their tuition fee to the Student Government Allocation Fund. This adds to approximately $87,000 for the Fall 2010 semester. Student senate has sole power as to whom this money is allocated.

Senate meets every Thursday at 5 p.m. to vote on current legislation that is trying to be passed.  This includes the allocations from various student organizations. The meetings are opened to the public.

Student Government Part 3: Class Officers

Sophomore Class Officers: Briana Treadaway(President),
Courtney Carameros(VP) and Courtney Yankowski(Secretary)

Who are the people that flood every Baylor student's inbox with emails about upcoming events? The people who try to generate campus involvement among their classes? These are class officers of Baylor University. Here are the current class officers of 2010-2011.

2010-2011 Class Officers
Senior Class Officers
President Mary Katherine Leslie
Vice-President Rachael Gilbert
Secretary/Treasurer Vacant

Junior Class Officers
President Nate Larson
Vice-President Josh Overton
Secretary/Treasurer Andy Lott

Sophomore Class Officers
President Briana Treadaway
Vice-President Courtney Carameros
Secretary/Treasurer Courtney Yankowski

Freshman Class Officers
President Raechel Adams
Vice-President Benton Miller
Secretary/Treasurer Haley Davis

Each class officer is responsible with forming a class project and provide ample school spirit and unity.

Student Government Part 2: Meet Your Student Body Officers

The executive branch of Baylor's student government is comprised of student body officers, class officers and the president and external vice president's cabinet.

Baylor's executive branch of student government is run by the student body officers.Each officer is elected in the spring and serves for a term of one year. All of the positions must be filled by a student of upper level standing.

The 2010-2011 student body officers include President Michael Wright, External Vice President Cristina Galvan and Internal Vice President Michael Lyssy. Who are the people behind each office? Let's take a look at the current student body officers.

Michael Wright

Baylor's student government page describes the position of the student body president.


"The chief executive officer of student government and the official spokesman of the Baylor student body to all Baylor constituencies, the public and media, and other colleges and universities. This position also advises class officers and the rest of the executive branch," student government said.

Michael Wright is currently serving as student body president. He is a senior Business Fellows and Economics major from Houston. He has served on student senate for two years prior to becoming internal vice president last year. His experience and drive led him to be elected for student body president in the spring.

His email address is Michael_Wright1@baylor.edu.

Feel free to email him any concerns regarding the Baylor community.

Cristina Galvan

 Cristina Galvan currently serves as external vice president in Baylor's student government.

The External Vice President builds relationships between Baylor and the Waco community, the Big 12, the student body and the Alumni Association.

Cristina helped organize the Big 12 student government conference in November. She is also working on tutoring program between Baylor and Waco ISD.

Michael Lyssy

Michael Lyssy serves as the head of student senate and a liaison between the legislative branch and the executive branch in his position of internal vice president. 

Michael served a student senator for two years before taking office in the spring. He is a junior majoring  Intensive International Studies.

Baylor Student Government: Part 1

Founded in 1913, Student government is an essential, active and working part of the student body. Student government is organized into three main branches along the same lines as the United States government. Each branch is designed to address the needs and concerns of the student body in a specific and distinct way, through an organized system of representation. 

Senate in session

Student government members at banquet

Student government is responsible for representing the voice of the Baylor student body on campus. They partner with the Board of Regents, administration, faculty & staff and alumni to ensure students are included in the decision making process.

Student government provides students a chance to gain leadership experience while acting as the voice of the student body.

Members are elected in the spring at Diadeloso and serve for a term of one year.

Fall Break in Waco??

I was planning to go to Knoxville,Tenn., to visit my friends who attend the University of Tennessee, unfortunately my plans failed. This fall break, I will be staying in glorious Waco. I actually am not disappointed. I'm going to get a lot of work done that I have been putting off. I also am going to go shopping in Hillsboro with friends. Madeline Lloyd and I are also planning on hanging out this weekend. Overall, I am just excited to have a break.

Advancer: Mission Waco's Better Block Party

Downtown Waco after tornado in 1953

           In 1953, the worst tornado to ever hit Texas struck down in Waco, Texas, destroying the downtown area. The once vibrant city life became a victim of urban decay as upper income earners moved out of the decaying area.  North Waco once a prosperous area is now filled with crime, drugs, and poverty.

            Now, over fifty years later, Waco developers and area non-profits are teaming up to bring life back into the ailing downtown area.  On Oct. 30, Mission Waco is hosting The Better Block Project as part of the city’s effort to clean up North Waco. They are shutting the streets down on 15^th and Colcord Avenue to hold the festivities. The event will start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. with the Second Annual Jubilee Music Festival.

Mission Waco Founder Jimmy Dorrell

            “We are bringing in area artists and vendors to show people that there is still life in North Waco,” Mission Waco Founder Jimmy Dorrell said.

            There will be activities for all ages to participate in the event. Beatnix, World Cup Café and D’s Mediterranean will provide food for the attendees.  At the conclusion of the event a Beatles cover band from Dallas,Texas, will be performing at the Jubilee Music Festival right on 15^th street.

            Dorrell said that these efforts will hopefully bring potential business owners and home buyers to the area.

Mission Waco is hoping to promote economic development and neighborhood revitalization through the block party. The organization said that before the event, volunteers from the area will be painting and cleaning up the block to show that the neighborhood does have potential.

                       

Videos from the Spotlight on Brian Kim

Interview Part One

Interview Part Two

Spotlight on Brian Kim : A Dedicated Baylor Bear

Brian Kim on steps of Pat Neff.

           Brian Kim is a sophomore senator on Baylor University’s Student Senate. He recently was appointed as Public Relations Chair on Senate Executive Council, making him the youngest member on the council. Kim is a very busy young man. Upon arriving to the interview, he rushed into the library frantically looking for where to meet me. When he finally realized where I was sitting, he apologized for his tardiness and commented on his meeting running late. I noticed that he had lots of papers spread out in front of him. I asked if he had an exam this week. He said that it was all for student government. This was actually his calm week academically; on the contrary, it was not the same for senate. During the time we were together, he received several phone calls regarding senatorial matters, which he answered on his Bluetooth headset.

            When asked to describe himself in one word, Kim uncertainly responded, “Dedicated.” To say that he is simply dedicated would be an understatement. Dedication has been the theme of Kim's life since his early life. Born in Korea, Kim and his family moved to Houston, Texas, at the age of 11. When talking to Kim you might notice a slight accent, but otherwise you would not realize that he moved to America only eight years ago. Besides a few classes that he took as a child in Korea, Kim came to America virtually speaking no English.  Even with the language barrier, he dedicated himself to his studies and excelled academically.

            “I like to get my work done in an organized fashion,” he said. “No procrastination. [Being dedicated] keeps me motivated through college.”

            Kim attributes his academic drive to his family. His father was a CEO in Korea, but he gave up their stable life to move to America for his son to have a good education. This sacrifice pushes him to achieve greatness.

            “I'm the only child. I have to be successful. Their entire life is dedicated to me,” Kim said.

            But even with his parents pushing him to do his best and become successful, Kim never feels overly pressured.

            “My parents are not the typical Asian parents,” Kim said. “They are never like 'Get an A! Go to this school!' Especially my mom, she is really lenient and always asks my opinion on what I want to do. She trusts me.”

            With his parents’ full support, Kim went on to attend Baylor University in Waco,Texas, after graduating from Memorial High School in Houston, Texas. After not participating in leadership roles in high school, he decided to get involved on campus. He tried Mock Trial, but realized that Senate was the right place for him.

Brian Kim at desk in Student Government office.

            “I joined Senate because I wanted to be the voice for my constituents’ voice,” Kim said.

            His goal was obviously achieved, when he was ranked No.1 in the voting polls during his re-election. This achievement is due heavily to the fact that he is such a warm and caring individual.

            A sophomore at Baylor from Albany,Ga., Kaitlin Daugherty said, “[Brian Kim is] very outgoing and maintains friendships with outstanding people.”

            His outgoing personality and overall dedication to Senate lead to his appointment of Public Relations Chair on SEC making him the youngest member to serve on the council. He looks at the older council members for guidance, but he also admits that it can be intimidating being the youngest on the council.

            “It is very overwhelming with the older senators, especially during debates,” Brian said.

            However, he does not let the intimidation shake him from speaking his mind.

            He confidently stated, “I am not hesitant to voice my opinion.”

            This take-charge attitude is one of his strongest assets when leading the Public Relations Committee. He combines his charisma with professionalism that yields success.

Brian Kim and sophomore class president Briana Treadway at Senate Banquet

             Fellow member on the committee from Houston,Texas, James Mai said that “Brian Kim is very on top of what he does. He strives to get you on the same level and push you forward.”

            While Kim is aspiring others to push theirselves and expect more in their futures, he also has big plans for himself. Senate has opened his eyes to the world of politics. Despite his current major of Marketing, he hopes to one day be a diplomat or another position in the government field. Whatever Kim decides to do, it will be done with excellence and dedication. His friends support him and say very positive things about him.

            “When I first met him in senate, we were destined to be best friends.” Sophomore class president and close friend of Kim Briana Treadway said. “Brian is a very smart gentleman that loves to be involved. He’s always willing to help in time of need.”

            Kim knows that all that he has accomplished would not have happened if not for his parents’ decision to come to America. He calls the move his most defining moment.

          Kim said, “I am so thankful to have come to America. My life would have been so different if I had stayed in Korea.”

            

Baylor Personality : Brian Kim

For my Baylor Personality interview, I 'm writing about Brian Kim. Brian is a sophomore senator and has served on senate for the past two years. He is a dedicated senator that represents the sophomore class very well. His dedication has led him to become a member of the SEC or Senate Executive Council and Public Relations Committee Chair. He is the youngest member on the council.

The World Mourns the Death of Young Disney Channel Star

Hollywood mourns the lost of a young starlet whose career was on the brink of success. Miley Ray Cyrus, of Nashville, died on Sunday in a motor accident in Los Angeles. Cyrus was on her way to an autograph signing at Fred Segal when a tomato produce truck driver lost control of his vehicle and rammed into the backside of the singer’s Escalade on Melrose Avenue.  Cyrus was pronounced dead on the scene from the impact of the truck.  The driver of the vehicle survived with minor injuries, however the tomato truck driver also passed away.

She was only 17 years old.

Cyrus was a young platinum-record selling recording artist and Disney Channel television star. Her television show, Hannah Montana, was cable’s most watched show for 6 to 14 year olds, also spawning a soundtrack that reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 reaching triple platinum. The movie, The Hannah Montana Movie, pulled in over $34 million. Cyrus’ separate musical career produced two No. 1 albums on the Billboard Charts. She was named PEOPLE Magazine’s richest kid in the world in 2005.

Cyrus leaves behind her father, Billy ray Cyrus, mother, Tish Cyrus, two brothers, Trace Cyrus; Braison Cyrus, and two sisters, Brandi Cyrus; and Noah Cyrus.

Cyrus was a role model to young girls and boys with her Disney Channel success. She also has been a major participant in cancer awareness with her work in Musicians on Call and City of Hope. Time Magazine included her on the 2008 Time 100, the magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

E! News Correspondent Ryan Seacrest said, “Miley touched the lives of so many people with her charm and charisma. The world will be missing her for sure.”

The private burial service will be held Friday in Nashville,TN for her hometown family and friends. There will also be a public memorial in California Thursday at the Disney Studios in Burbank. Fans can contribute money to the Miley Ray Foundation for victims of vehicular accidents.

***Disclaimer*** 

This is a fake obituary for a Journalism Class. The information about the death is NOT TRUE.

Waco Restaurants - D's Mediterranean Grill

D's Mediterranean Grill is a great place to enjoy authentic Lebanese and Greek food in Waco. The restaurant is located in North Waco and looks like a pretty sketch place that one should avoid. However, upon entering the restaurant you immediately feel like you are in the Mediterranean. The food is amazing and cooked fresh daily.


(254) 754-6709
1503 Colcord Ave
Waco, TX

AP Stylebook 2010 Changes

The combining  of "web site" to "website" has been the Associated Press Stylebook's most talked about change. The change is part of the new Social Media section that is featured in the 2010 Stylebook. AP based the change on the the fact that the new combination is the most commonly used form of the term.