The UB Post

Dear members of the UB community,

SEB has come a long way since we rebranded ourselves in the fall 2006 semester. To continue our mission to be the "Life of UB," we have updated our Constitution and restructured our officer positions and duties.

Currently, our board consists of the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, three event chairs, two communications officers and a webmaster- all of whom report directly to the president. This structure has served us well in the past. However, as the board expands to deliver more quality and complex events, it has become crucial for us to embrace a more robust organization that will allow shared governance, accountability and better team work.

To accomplish this, our new board will operate on two levels of leadership: a management group and an executive group. Each executive member (VP for communications, VP for programming and events management and VP for finance and administration) would run a team of managers and help the president manage and evaluate the performance of each team member. We believe this will achieve a more fair accountability and evaluation process.

The managers in our new structure would include three events managers, an office manager, an advertising and promotions manager, and a public relations manager. Thus, our new board will have a total of 10 officers. We believe that these changes will enhance SEB's professionalism, effectiveness and efficiency. I hope that, if you're interested in being part of a professionally run, growing and successful group, you'll consider becoming an officer of SEB and part of the "Life of UB."

—Cheers, Simon Fong SEB President

The past few weeks have been busy for the Undergraduate Student Senate. We have been working on the parking protest, Block Party and student government elections. Currently, USS is installing a new bike rack for those of you who live close to UB and poster cases in the Student Center elevators in order to keep you informed of what is going on around campus.

The Big Fat Greek Block Party saw a great turnout, and we couldn't have asked for better weather.

The parking protest also went extremely well thanks to your involvement. The demonstration was covered by ABC News, The Baltimore Sun and The UB Post. Due to your efforts, the parking rates have been significantly reduced and a number of student concerns have been addressed. The proposed parking plan has changed to a flat rate of $4 per day, which comes to approximately half of what the cost would have been. The original rate structure will be phased in over the next four years. Student workers and grad assistants will get a wage increase across the board to offset the parking cost increase. No-interest emergency loans will be available to students at $600 per academic year and $160 for the summer semester to cover the parking costs for students who were not prepared for the increase. In addition to that, it seems very likely that there will be free 30-minute parking available to accommodate students who need to drop off assignments.

USS would like to thank you for taking the time to elect representatives for the upcoming school year, and we look forward to working with you again in the fall.

The Spring 2008 semester has been one of great achievements for the UB Graduate Student Senate (GSS). The GSS has hosted several fantastic programs, including the St. Patrick's Day Game Night and the first annual GSS/Career Center Networking Event-pictures and videos from which can be found at the GSS website.

This GSS also awarded five travel awards and several Graduate Award Scholarships to qualifying graduate students during this semester.

Additionally, the GSS successfully supported, planned and facilitated in the April 2008 protest against the suggested parking proposal scheduled to take effect in the fall of 2008; the effect of which was a substantial change in the model.

Currently, the GSS is recruiting new members in order to fill unoccupied leadership positions in the organization; several positions are currently open and it is highly suggested that you consider applying.

For more information about the Graduate Student Senate, applications for GSS membership, scholarships and awards, pictures and videos from our events, or to join in on the conversation on our GSS blog, please visit www.ubalt.edu/gss

Thank you all for a fantastic semester. We look forward to your participation during the summer and next fall.

The Student Bar Association would like to congratulate the newly elected officers for next year. Andrew Saller, president, Grant Posner, day vice president, Helen Torsella, night vice president, Michael Li, treasurer, Lauren Jones, secretary, Shannon Kraus, ABA representative, Mary McCarthy, 3L representative, and Ben Meredith, 2L representative. The new board looks forward to an eventful year.

The SBA would also like to thank everyone who participated in or supported the campus-wide parking protest/walkout on April 10. As a result of the combined efforts of the student governments, faculty, students and staff, an acceptable resolution was reached.

On April 12, the SBA co-sponsored with the University of Maryland to hold the second-annual Kickball Cup. UB hoped to defend the title, but lost in a close game to surrender the cup to Maryland. The beautiful weather encouraged an incredible turnout, which raised money for several worthy charities. Thanks from the SBA for all who attended and made the day memorable.

Finally, the new Executive Board would like to thank all of our outgoing officers and wish them the best in future endeavors. We had a great year and hope to live up to the example set by this year's board.

Good luck on finals, and have a great summer! See everyone back in the fall!

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