It's Blitz Week

This week is Student Government's annual Blitz Week where we put on events all week to reach out to the student body to better meet their needs.  Monday's event was Carnival with Cabinet.  The weather forced us to change our plans a little bit, but we still met with students outside of Library West and gave away a bunch of free food.  Yesterday was Snacks with Senate in Turlington Plaza.  Today is the SG Exec Meet and Greet in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom Salon A.  I hope you will make a point to stop by as I love talking to students and learning how Student Government can best meet the needs of the student body.  Thursday is Agency day on the Plaza of the Americas, and Friday is SG's first outdoor movie night.

I want to give a special shout out and a BIG thank you to Action SG Chairwoman Sally Cohen and her Action SG Staff.  Sally has been working tirelessly to promote SG events and initiatives all year and is doing a fantastic job with Blitz Week.

Get Involved This Fall

With the Summer session nearing an end, some of you might have already begun thinking about what things you want to do this Fall. While UF offers more than 900 student organizations, containing pre-professional societies, various student unions and several Greek chapters in different councils, I have found that there is no better way to get involved than with Student Government.

Being a part of Student Government has been one of the greatest things I've done with my time at UF. While I started as a member of the Student Senate, during my four years I have been able to work closely with my fellow SG officials and through this, I have learned all about our different agencies, directorships and cabinets and what they have to offer.

Moreover, our Student Government is always adapting to enhance the student experience. I think that is why I have enjoyed being a part of SG; I truly enjoy seeing the projects I have undertaken really help students on this campus that I love!

There are many things you can do to get involved with SG. First, I recommend liking our Facebook page and following our Twitter account. On here you can find postings about open positions as well as events which will allow you to learn more about SG. I also would encourage you to check the SG website regularly. The website is home to all of our applications as well as lists of immediate openings.

If you ever find yourself in the Reitz with some time to kill, feel free to come up and talk to an SG official in person, anyone would be happy to talk to you about what opportunities are available!

Celebrating 100 Days!

This Thursday, August 1st, officially marks the 100th day that I have served as University of Florida's Student Body President! While this hasn't been an easy job, it has certainly been the most significant thing I have been able to do during my time at UF.

While 100 days is just the start of my term, I do think that it is a reason to celebrate. In such a short time me along with my Vice President, Treasurer, Senate Executive board and agency chairs
have been working tirelessly to accomplish all the goals we embarked on just 100 days ago.

On Friday, August 2nd, we will be celebrating just this. We will have a table located in the Reitz Union Breezeway and we are asking that all students join us. We will have promotional items and flyers detailing some of the initiatives we have already accomplished for the year.

Importantly, we will also have a whiteboard for students to write ideas down of things they want to see this administration accomplish in its next 100 days. Hope to see everyone out there!

Me being sworn in as Student Body President

News From External Affairs: Senate Approves Stundet Loan Bill

One of the reasons I started this blog was to keep students as informed as possible. Below, see a press release from our External Affairs Chairwoman, Abby Whiddon. The release details an agreement the U.S. Senate has made in regards to student loans:

Washington, D.C.--The U.S. Senate has reached a bi-partisan agreement for a solution to student loan interest rate. The legislation approved Wednesday ties the loan’s interest rate to the market.

           Student Body President Christina Bonarrigo had told lawmakers that she hoped a long-term solution could be reached this year to give students financial stability and security, and is pleased with the bi-partisan solution.

            President Obama indicated he supported the bill’s passage early Wednesday, and in a later statement said, “This compromise is a major victory for our nation’s students.”

            The bill passed through the Senate by an 81-18 vote. It sets the 2014 fiscal year’s interest rate at 3.86 percent for undergraduate Stafford loans and 5.4 percent for graduate Stafford loans. To prevent unreasonable rates, a cap was placed at 8.25 for undergrads and 9.5 percent for graduates.

            The Senate’s version of the bill is likely to move to the House in the next week. Speaker Boehner said in a statement, “This bipartisan agreement is a victory for students, for parents and for our economy, and it is consistent with the House Republican bill passed in May.”