Thanksgiving

We have almost come to the end of our Thanksgiving break of 2008. It only means one good thing: two weeks of class, finials and then Christmas break! We had class on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week. Most of my classes were canceled on Wednesday so I got to start the vacation a little early. I stuck around in Bozeman and had dinner up at my parents house. We had some friends over who did not want to travel the long distance home for the short break. It was a lot of fun being with friends and family for the holiday. A lot of my friends did travel home for the break, but many of my high school friends are back for the break to spend time with their families, it's always good to see them. On Thursday morning there was the second annual Huffing for Stuffing race put on for the food bank. There was a 10K, 5k, and a kids 1 mile run that started at the Museum of the Rockies. All the proceeds went to the Gallatin Valley Food Bank. I think this will continue to be a fun Bozeman tradition for years to come

Peer Advising/ Registration

It is almost Thanksgiving, and we have finally come to the end of the registration process. Spring semester starts in less than two months so we have been picking out classes. All the registration is done online and is really quick. This semester I was a Peer Adviser in the University Studies department, for students with undeclared majors. It was a lot of fun going through the course catalogs with students and helping them finding classes in areas that interested them. One of the things we would go over with students is Core 2.0. It is designed so that students take various classes in different areas of study to receive a more well rounded education. Before you graduate you have to take a humanities course, natural science course, social science course, and a few others. I have really enjoyed taking classes from these different areas because I'm learning a lot of interesting stuff that I would not have to opportunity to if I were to only take architecture classes. My favorite so far is Sociology 101, I'm taking that this semester. Sociology is the study of groups of people, I have a great professor and have been learning a lot. Next semester I don't have any time for core classes so I'm bummed about that, but I have until I graduate to complete those requirements.

NW Leadership Conference

This past weekend I had an opportunity to attend the Northwest Student Leadership conference in Portland Oregon. Five other senators from ASMSU (Associated Students of Montana State University) and me attend the program along with over 500 students from across the region. The program was put on by the Oregon Student Association at Portland State University. We probably drove the furthest; it was about a twelve hour drive from Bozeman to Portland. We did rent a Suburban with a DVD player so that was nice to pass the time. There were over 100 workshops offered focusing on issues postsecondary education, campus suitability, campus safety, access and affordability to higher education and much more. Most of the students attending were involved in their campus with some aspect of a leadership role, whether it was campus government or a peer leader. I attending various workshops but the one that I thought was most valuable was the sustainability session. We had a lot to contribute to the conversation about sustainability on campuses. Although it seems like the sustainability issues has just become an issue at MSU we have come a lot further than many campuses across the country. We talked about our Streamline bus system that is partly funded by ASMSU, installation of bike racks outside of all buildings, the recycling program, and other ways to further reduce the waste produced by the campus. It was a fun opportunity to attend the NW leadership conference, we had the chance to meet and talk with peers from other schools and discuss issues that concern student and the campuses we go to school on.

ASMSU Senate

This fall I had the honor of running for ASMSU Senate. Associated Students of Montana State University is the elected campus government which has the mission of enhancing the overall educational experience of students. This is done by providing a variety of ASMSU committees, funded through student fees, which offer leadership opportunities and employment to students. There are many committees overseen by ASMSU, including the Daycare, located on campus, and the Procrastinator Theater, showing movies a few months old for a price affordable by college students (two bucks). I have the opportunity to be the liaison for KGLT, the campus radio station and the Procrastinator Theater. I attend meetings with these groups and report back to senate with issues, concerns, or updates with these organizations. It is a lot of fun being on ASMSU Senate, we are always the first to hear about issues that concern the student body. The students recently passed a sustainability bill that will provide opportunities for a more environmentally friendly campus and recycling in all the buildings. Most major issues concerning the students and campus are brought up and discussed at senate meetings. There is close communication between the senate and administration providing efficiency and quality of our goals. ASMSU consist of senators from four different living options, Off-Campus, On-Campus, Greek, Family Graduate housing, and At-Large, including all mentioned. For a full list of ASMSU committees I posted the link for the ASMSU page, http://www.montana.edu/wwwasmsu/

Election Day!

I have been following this election since I was a senior in high school. I remember watching some of the first presidential candidate debates, back in the spring of 2007 when Bill Richardson and Rudy Giuliani were still in the race. Montana has been in the spot light a couple of times since then. In the Democratic primaries in June it came down to our state in the race between Clinton and Obama. And again this last weekend many polls showed Montana as a tossup state between Obama and McCain. There is no doubt this will be a close race. With only three electoral votes Montana will probably not be the deciding factor in the election, but does have some importance. Most important are the students and the young vote. There has been enormous pressure on young people to vote and make a difference in the election. All over campus there have been voter registration drives. With the day off of school, it is a nice chance to get some extra sleep, go for a run and relax. Although I am anxious to watch the results come in tonight. At the Procrastinator Theater, located in the Student Union, there will be a election results viewing party. I think that's where I'm going to be when then announce the next president of the United States! GO VOTE!

Construction Zone

It seems like everywhere I turn there is a blocked off area closed for construction or cones closing a street. There is no doubt that Bozeman and the campus have an abundant amount of projects going on right now. As I face frustration driving or walking to class I remind myself that these projects are just the ways and means to the end. The improvements made will be well worth the minor inconveniences. There are many projects on campus, but around the city traffic improvements are being made. South 19th Ave, a major thoroughfare on the far west edge of campus is being widened to improve traffic flow. This will be a big help after concerts and games. I don't drive to school but many students do, improving this road will also help with the commute to campus. Early next year Bozeman will be opening its first parking garage, located downtown. Many don't think parking is not an issue, but with this addition to downtown it will be ensured that parking space will be available especially during events such as Music on Main, the Christmas stroll, and other events.
Campus has seen its fair share of projects as well. Last year renovations of the Student Union Building and the Marga Hosaeus Health & PE Complex were completed. The new Chemistry Research building was also completed the end of 2007. Spring 08 was the start of the $28.5 million renovation and overhaul of Gaines Hall, built it 1961. Previously home to the Chemistry department, the new facility will be competed in 2010 with a 270 person lecture hall, home to the Modern Languages Department, and the Academic Advising Center. It is a project everyone is excited about and looking forward to its completion. All the projects have brought an improvement and fresh look to campus.

Pictured on the top is a rendering of the downtown parking garage, the lower picture is a rendering of the future Gaines Hall.