December-January

Greetings Everyone,

I hope everyone has enjoyed their winter break, and started to get back into full swing in spring semester. Student Association also has started the semester by re-registering students for the Bulldog Taxi Program, so far about 100 students have signed up for the program. If you are not registered or need to re-register, please stop by our office or look for a table across from the bookstore. For more information please visit http://www.d.umn.edu/~umdsa/Bulldog_Taxi.html.

Today January, 27^th 2009, there was an event held by the Student Legislative Coalition, across from the bookstore to help spread awareness to state representatives on how important higher education funding is to students. There will be postcards to sign to mail to your representatives, and students also will get free hot dogs. We went through all of the hot dogs and post cards

Following this event, students are able to visit the capitol and have individual meetings with their representatives to show concerns that they have for the school, state, and even the nation. This is a University excused absence and will be February 20^th, 2009. Students are provided with free busing and free lunch. To register please contact Caitlin Herby at herby005@d.umn.edu.

Student Association began to work with SPATT (Students Promoting Awareness Through Teaching) on student rights issues at UMD. Both in the classroom and in many other areas at UMD there are student right issues. Hopefully, by working together we can begin to mend issues that happen at UMD.

Last semester Student Association was successful in the Better Neighbors program. Approximately 35 students signed up for the program, that means that 30 blocks around the Duluth neighborhood have student representatives. This spring Better Neighbors will be holding the annual Spring Clean up later this spring.

I hope finals week went well for everyone last semester, and didn’t stress anyone out to much. Student Affairs tried to ease some of the pain by giving free stress relief packets, which included some food for energy, to studying tips. Another event that Student Affairs will be having is during out cold. Please look for posters and more information will be available at a later time.

Academic Affairs also had their semester event Late Night Library, and was a huge success. At midnight Academic Affairs gives free coffee, apple cider, and cookies to students studying for their finals and need a little break. This year an average of over 200 students a night participated in Late Night Library. Every year this event seems to get larger and it is a great service to the students.

If you have any suggestions, questions or comments, please email me Jason Wittrock at wittr014@d.umn.edu, or post in our Contact Us page on the website http://www.d.umn.edu/~umdsa/Feedback.html

Thank You,

Jason Wittrock

UMD Student Body President

September-October 2008

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying their semester.

Student Association started off the semester by holding events at the welcome week Bulldog Bash. At welcome week we signed up over 600 people for the Bulldog Taxi Program. If you have not signed up for the program, stop by the Student Association office in KSC across from the Info Desk. We currently have registered a record high of 2000 students. For more information on the taxi program see the link on our webpage. http://www.d.umn.edu/~umdsa/Bulldog_Taxi.html

Another Great Opportunity for students to participate in a great program and earn money is the Better Neighbors Program. Students can earn $50 dollars by obtaining the contact info of college students living on their block. Then the student is required to distribute the contact information to everyone on their block. This information encourages better relationships between college students and their neighbors, by providing the opportunity to solve issues with out getting the police involved. For further information and the Better Neighbors application visit our webpage http://www.d.umn.edu/~umdsa/Better_Neighbors.html . Also Contact Thomas DeMinico demi0042@d.umn.edu

Student Association has begun to work on various on campus and off campus issues. Academic Affairs has been working on our number one initiative Academic Advising. The committee has begun a TLP process to further understand and improve Academic Advising at UMD.

Student Affairs has been continuing to try to improve school spirit and Student Association Awareness. By volunteering at both the bonfire and the tailgate, tried to help spread awareness and contribute to school spirit. Another event to help build spirit and awareness at UMD that
Student Affairs did during homecoming week was Powder Puff Football. The underclassmen won in overtime and the best dressed male cheerleader received a camera.
Just last week a great event at UMD Student Association, along with other student organizations such as SLC, MPIRG, and KPB helped sponsor the U.S. Senate debate. This allowed UMD students and the community a great opportunity to familiarize themselves with the candidates, and become more educated voters.

October 21st and 22nd freshman elections are being held. Freshman can vote both online and in the LSH lobby.

Another upcoming event Nightwalk at UMD. This is an opportunity for students to show parts of campus they feel is unsafe and could use more light etc. Nightwalk is scheduled for November 17th at 6:00 p.m. It is open to all students and everyone is encouraged to come.

If you have any suggestions or feedback please email me ( wittr014@d.umn.edu ) or use the feedback page on our website.
Thanks,

Jason Wittrock

UMD Student Body President

Our Website

University of Minnesota Duluth Student Association:
http://www.d.umn.edu/~umdsa/