New SGA President's Platform
Chris King
February 17, 2009

Jacob Watkins was elected SGA president last Friday in a runoff election. This week, he will be shadowing current president Lauren Hayes and meeting with university administrators before he assumes the responsibilities next week.

Eagle Eye News has obtained a copy of Jacob's campaign platform, so you can see what the new president's priorities for Auburn University are.

Jacob Watkins
Student Government Association President
Ballot Position # 2
Junior
Major: Economics
Qualifications:
*SGA Cabinet- Secretary of Public Relations
*SGA Cabinet- Assistant Director of Publicity
*Verizon Wireless Brand Ambassador
*University Scholarship Committee
*University Academic Honesty Committee,
Academic Integrity Day Co-chair

Thank you for taking the time to consider me as your next SGA President, I am excited and humbled to have this opportunity to serve you. Auburn is a unique environment that we have been blessed to share. The office of the SGA President has the duty to preserve the unique environment at Auburn and to work to make better. I believe that I have the passion, experience, and vision the President needs to serve the students efficiently.

If elected SGA President there are many goals I have to improve each student's time here at Auburn. Most importantly as President I hope all students will feel comfortable to meet with me at anytime; the relationship between the President and their fellow students is the most important role of this office. Consistency over years is also very important in being an effective president. I plan to present the SGA, my fellow students, and administrators with ideas and goals that will enrich each student's Auburn experience. My ideas include the following:

*Student Activity Center and Campus Planning- Create a committee to make sure student interest are first in planning the building of the Student Activity Center and other facilities coming up around campus.
*Scholarship- Improve the university wide scholarship program to better award high achieving current students. These funds will be provided by bettering the Verizon and Balfour programs as well as creating the Student Endowment program and working with the administrators on the budget.
*Student Endowment Program- Implement a program that offers students the opportunity to give back to the University early. These funds will go directly back to student programs and scholarships.
*University Budget- Implement student involvement in working with administrators in reviewing the University budget which effects student's tuition. As well as lobby state legislators for further funding for higher education.
*Public Relations- Create a University Press Room where SGA members, organization officers, and campus administrators can address students and media on a regular basis to keep students informed. As well as implement a monthly open forum where students can comfortably meet with SGA executive officers so that their ideas are put on the top of the SGA's agenda.
*Improvements within the SGA- Improve the relationship between the SGA Cabinet and Senate by having joint meetings between the two groups. Also create more positions to give more students the opportunity to be involved.
*Special Student Interest- Make sure student interests such as dining hours, book exchange, football tickets, changing the spirit program, etc. are priority on the SGA's agenda. My plan is to always be open to the ideas of every student and implement their ideas in the goals of the SGA.

War Eagle!
Jacob Watkins

You can watch Jacob discuss his platform right here on Eagle Eye's website under Archived Shows .