Taxi service and the ability to get a taxi in a timely manner is an important issue to many students. Please share your thoughts on how taxi service can be improved in Morgantown… I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

There is no question our nation is going through a difficult time – and the economic troubles can be felt here on our campus.

I’ve talked to so many students who are having a difficult time making ends meet, working more than ever in a part time job – or maybe two or three part time jobs – and still trying to make it through school. It seems the cost of everything is going up – including the cost to go to college.

At last Friday’s University Board of Governors meeting, the Director of the Financial Aid office told us the two big problems are increases in tuition and decreases in financial aid available. It hurt to hear about my fellow students who work hard and who have done everything they can to make it but must go home because they and their families can’t afford to pay the bills.

The folks in the Financial Aid office are always available to help, but there is only so much they can do.

Last year, students made the commitment to invest in good professors and keeping professors here by supporting a pay increase and we said we understand our University has to grow. We were willing to make that investment.

I can promise you that I will be doing the job you elected me to do. Student Government will be active at the WV Legislature this year – asking for more money for WVU – so the burden isn’t so heavily on the backs of students and our families. We’re going to do everything we can. West Virginia is in a better economic condition than most other states – in part because of our energy resources. We need to showcase to the Legislature how valuable it is for them to increase their investment in the students, research, and good work of WVU.

But, after the 8.5 percent commitment in tuition increases we made last year, we need a commitment to increase financial assistance available for students.

I’m calling on the University leadership to make a pledge to not propose a tuition increase next academic year. I know a lot depends on state funding, but we should work in state government to increase funding for WVU – and we must understand that we all make sacrifices in difficult times.

We must always put students and their families first. When the price of everything is going up, many students just can’t pay the bills. More students are leaving halfway through the year because they can’t pay the tuition for the next semester.

We must do something to help students and families in a difficult time. I’m asking the University to join with us to help our families. It’s the right thing to do.

We’ve all been hearing the conversation around the exciting McCain-Obama race. Both tickets are poised to make history – and I feel very strongly that we students should be a part of the conversation. That’s why SGA has launched a new program called Engage 08.

Engage 08 is designed to heighten the conversation surrounding the issues, the Parties, and the candidates on campus. Exciting events, voter registration drives, buses to polling places, a nationally known keynote speaker, watch parties, and a Political Movie Series are all part of this great program.

It wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of many in SGA and without a partnership with the College Republicans, Young Democrats, the Student Sierra Coalition, and the Students for Obama.

Be sure to check out the Engage 08 website at engage08.wvu.edu

The students who make up our University’s club sports teams are among the best students on campus.

They care about WVU, they are full of pride, and they love what they do to represent our University.
Participating in club sports is a big benefit – you become a better leader, a better team player, and a great representation of your school—- all while doing something you love to do.

One of the most important things we can do to combat the “party school” image is to have a committment to club sports and other engaging activities.

I’ve been very impressed with the men and women who make up our Club Sports teams. They wear the flying WV and the same uniform as our other athletes and they deserve our support. Playing spaces are lacking and funding is low. The University should commit to bringing club sports funding on par with our peer institutions.

And to all of the teams representing our University everyday – we support you and wish you good luck in your respective seasons this year.

Seven years ago this Thursday, the world changed forever. We will never forget where we were when we heard the awful news. We remember the mourning of those who lost loved ones, the sadness and anger we felt as a nation, and we honor the memory of those lost. We honor those like Chris Gray and Jim Samuel, Jr., two WVU graduates who were at work at Cantor Fitzgerald in the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 and never returned home again. We honor the loved ones of Mountaineers and people all across the country and the world.

Please feel free to leave any memories or notes of remembrance.

For those of you interested in going Greek, fraternity rush begins on Monday.

My Greek experience has been a highlight of my college career and my brothers in SAE are some of the best friends I have made.

SAE is a great fraternity. The fun we have, the good work we do in the community, and the brotherhood is very special. David Adams, our Recruitment chair, and others like him in other organizations across campus are gearing up for next week. I encourage you to facebook him, other fraternity chapters, and go meet the brothers. If it fits for you, it’ll be a great experience.

Fraternities and sororities add so much to our campus. Some of our best student leaders on campus are Greek and Greeks are always giving back.

I hope many of you had the chance to attend Meet the Greeks at the Lair on Wednesday. Consider taking a look at joining a fraternity or sorority.

The student fans at WVU are among the best in the nation – in fact, so good the student cheering section was just named the 3rd best in the nation by ESPN magazine.

I’m so excited about this football season, soccer season, and basketball season. James Bailey, the director of the Maniacs, is doing a great job and we’re only going to get even better as our football program continues to grow with our great coach, Bill Stewart.

Let’s continue to go to the games and cheer on the team! Be sure to go in early and show the opposing teams what a strong student section we have. It’s important that we have the student section filled before the opposing team takes the field. Also – be sure to stay for the whole game; we have to continue moving up to the number #1 section in the nation. It takes all of us for the WVU team to be the best it can be.

So thanks to the Maniacs for doing such a great job and for their leadership for leading the way.

The Fiesta Bowl victory when the whole nation thought we couldn’t do it or maybe the triple overtime win over Louisville my freshman year stick out as my most memorable Mountaineer game day experiences.

Share your favorite Mountaineer game day story….

Forty five years ago today, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the memorial in Washington, DC paying tribute to the president who ended slavery – Abraham Lincoln – to deliver the infamous “I Have a Dream?” speech. Delivered during the height of racial tension in the 1960s, King’s speech called for an America where “my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Now, forty five years later, a black man prepares to accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States. In many ways, Barack Obama transcends race and has an uncanny ability to inspire a nation to believe – just as King did – at a time when we need it most.

I was a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter in the Primary and now support Obama. I truly believe America needs a new direction. But, whatever your politics are – if you are Republican like a large part of my family or if you’ve been an Obama supporter all along, this is a remarkable moment for all of us.

Bill Clinton, in elevating to the presidency, did a lot to break down barriers and said to the nation that even a boy from Hope can be President of the United States – and now Barack Obama, by accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States, truly makes it possible for every young boy and girl – regardless of race or creed – to be anything they want to be in America.

WVU has helped so many launch their dreams and it will help us to launch ours too and regardless of your politics, Barack Obama’s nomination and Hillary Clinton’s candidacy has paved the way for so many more Americans to reach their dreams.

Whether you are Republican or Democrat, a McCain or Obama supporter, you must admit it is quite remarkable that tonight – the hope for a better tomorrow is alive and well – as a black man accepts the nomination of the Democratic Party on the 45th anniversary of King’s historic speech.

Tonight, we should all be proud of the progress of the past 45 years – and be hopeful about the progress yet to come.

I just celebrated my 21st birthday on July 31st. Officially able to have a beer legally. From the time most of us turn 18, we always say “We should be allowed to drink at 18.” And, then the long 3 years go by before we are 21.
In 1984, Congress passed the National Minimum Age Drinking Act, which required withholding 10% of a state’s federal highway appropriations if a state were to lower the drinking age below 21. Now, today many are saying that law needs to be revisited and the call is coming from an unlikely place college and university presidents.
A group of over 100 college and universities presidents from across the country who are part of the Amethyst Initiative have endorsed lowering the drinking age to 18. The Amethyst Initiative statement make the argument that “a culture of dangerous, clandestine “binge-drinking” often conducted off-campus has developed. Alcohol education that mandates abstinence as the only legal option has not resulted in significant constructive behavioral change among our students. Adults under 21 are deemed capable of voting, signing contracts, serving on juries and enlisting in the military, but are told they are not mature enough to have a beer. By choosing to use fake IDs, students make ethical compromises that erode respect for the law.”
The group further calls upon lawmakers to “support an informed and dispassionate public debate over the effects of the 21 year-old drinking age.
To consider whether the 10% highway fund “incentive” encourages or inhibits that debate.
To invite new ideas about the best ways to prepare young adults to make responsible decisions about alcohol.”
Our peers are bravely fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, voting to elect our leaders, being called upon to serve on juries. Should those between 18-21 be allowed to legally purchase alcohol?
I think an open debate on lowering the drinking age is worthy and I think the 100 college and university presidents who have signed on to the Amethyst Initiative are on to something. It’s time to revisit this issue and have a meaningful discussion on whether or not the drinking age should be lowered.
What are you thoughts?

Welcome to another exciting year at WVU! As we begin a new year, we have much to look forward to – an exciting football season, Fall Fest and Fan Fest, new and challenging classes, connecting with old friends and making new ones.
I want to use my blog to continue to lead the discussion with you – a discussion about our University, the issues we face as students, the next football game, the exciting election between Obama and McCain that is coming up, and all of the ways SGA is speaking up on your behalf.
Today, I’ve been helping new students move in. It’s been wonderful to meet so many great Mountaineers. One of the most special things about our University is the sense of community we have and the pride we all have in our University. Parents, new students, grandparents, everyone everywhere today seems to be wearing the flying WV.
As we begin the year, I encourage you to get involved on campus. Speak up on issues large and small. Become a part of the discussion. And get involved in the community. SGA has a partnership with the Center for Civic Engagement and I encourage you to find ways to give back to our community.
I am excited for another year. SGA is always here for you – to listen to your voice and to work hard to deliver real solutions. I’m committed to working hard on the issues important to all of us – transportation and safety, off campus living, and others. I hope to see you at Fall Fest on Monday night – and if you see me on campus, be sure to say hi. So, to get the discussion going – What are your first impressions of campus? What issues are most important to you now? What are you most excited about for this semester?