Laura O'Connor
Old Gold and Black Reporter
In the run-off elections last week, sophomore Taylor Campbell was elected Student Government treasurer.
"I am very excited about winning. I've wanted this position since freshman year and I'm ready to get started," Campbell said.
Campbell assumed his new post today in a swearing-in ceremony in President Thomas K. Hearn Jr.'s office.
Hearn swore in the new president, Susie Eggers, who, in turn, sore in Campbell and the other officers.
After the ceremony, the new officers had lunch with Hearn.
For the rest of this year, Campbell will finish handling the day-to-day duties.
At the beginning of next year, the Presidential Leadership Conference will be a main priority of Campbell's, as well as the election of the Student Budget Advisory Council.
One of Campbell's main concerns deals with allocating resources to campus organizations. "I want to make the whole process much easier," he said.
One of the biggest problems with SG, according to Campbell, is that group organizations are not prepared to justify their budget at the Budget Allocation Request Hearings.
These hearings are when an organization presents its previous year's budget and asks for more funds for the following year. "Many groups are not prepared for these hearings. I want to help prepare them by giving out information packets which explains the process," Campbell said.
The packets will include frequently asked questions, a sample budget and a list of things to expect at the hearing.
"I feel the entire process can be simplified, and the smaller groups asking for money can be better educated on the process of the system. If this is done the money will be more efficiently handled and used," Campbell said.
Next year, new groups will be forming and asking for funds.
"I want to organize a special information session for these groups so they will understand the process," Campbell said.
In addition to holding sessions for newly formed campus groups, Campbell hopes to also organize seminar workshops to help current groups adjust and lay-out their budgets.
As an executive officer, Campbell will play an active role with the student body, he said.
He plans to listen to student concerns and be available for students to contact.
Campbell's past experiences in SG have included being a legislator, a member of the Judicial and Appropriations and Budget Committees and treasurer of Collins Residence Hall. He was also a member of SBAC last year.
Campbell said he feels this experience will be the most valuable he brings to his new position. "I learned about faults and problems in the present system, which I can hopefully provide solutions for," he said.
He is also a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and is on the track team.
This summer, he is looking forward to a London internship program.
Campbell said he hopes to translate his experience as treasurer into a career in finance.
"I definitely intend my position as treasurer to provide me with valuable experience for the future," he said.
Ben Donberg contributed to this report.