University of South Carolina Libraries
Student Body President Malik Hu55eii Clueless: That would be the one word 1 would use if someone asked me whether I had any idea what I was getting into when I was elect ed as your Student Body President. Al though that was my initial reaction, I honestly felt prepared and confident that this year's administration would be one of the greatest. Brandon Anderson and Elizabeth Fordham are important aspects in the success of this year. Our ability to com municate with one another has enabled us to understand each other and our individual leadership qualities. 1 would like to thank them for all their support and help throughout the past couple of months. I would also like thank student sen ate for their work ethics and their drive for success in Student Government. I want to also thank the Executive Cab inet and all they do for Student Gov ernment, as well. Your enthusiasm, hard work and positive attitudes have proven to be effective tools of leadership as we look back and reflect on our finished projects. Now, I guess I should get to the rea son why I am thanking all these indi viduals. SG has had one of its most sue cessful starts ever. It began with rear ranging space in the SG office to pro vide a lounge area for anyone who want ed to come in and relax, eat lunch, or socialize with their peers. After hours, this space is used for meetings of any sort. We also did a clothing drive in which we collected more than 1,800 ar ticles of clothing, which we then do nated to The Oliver Gospel Mission and The Salvation Army. The next project that was initiated was the painting of the Gamecock on Greene Street in front of the Russell House. It was completed over the summer and ready for incom ing and returning students to show how much pride we have in our establish ment. At the beginning of this semes ter, a luncheon was held where Presi dent John Palms and I spoke on the relations of the university. It also gave faculty, adminstration and students a chance to build a bridge over the gap that exists between the students and our educators. On the same day, another initia tive of SG was completed. The new out side basketball facility outside Woodrow was constructed. We have also created the Multicultural Action Committee to attack all diversity issues on campus and to make sure all ethnicities and cultures are recognized. As of Nov. 2, our new online vot ing system has been tested and imple mented, providing USC with easier access to voicing your opinions and mak ing your vote count. Some of our future goals that we are looking forward to completing are a stu dent's night out on Nov. 6, where stu dents go out and patrol campus from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., feeding the student body in various locations on campus Nov. 16 and 18, an Adopt-a-Sidewalk campaign and a new improved Safe Ride is in the planning stages. SG is continuously working for your benefit, but it can only reach its great est potential with your support and in put. The student body is essential to the effectiveness of this university and its accomplishments. I am proud to rep resent you in all aspects and will continue to do so enthusiastically. I only ask you to stop in and say hello, voice your con cerns, and hold us accountable for our jobs. You can even e-mail us from our new website www.sa.sc.edu/SGA/sgJitm. I look forward to seeing you soon. ...And they call him Mr. President by Patrick Rathbun The Gamecock Student Body President Malik Huss er sat down with The Gamecock for an in-depth interview recently, the first of his terni as President. In honor of Meet Your Student Government Day, Part I of Husser’s interview is published be low: The Gamecock: Do you think you’ve fulfilled your campaign promises? Malik Hussen Not completely. Some call boxes have gone up. I still have some other safety issues I’d like to see occur before I can say I’ve really completed my campaign. One of the major things I ran on was safety, and I don’t feel as if I’ve completely fulfilled my desires for all the safety issues as of yet. Some of the other things that I’m currently working on is education.com, a com munity service mentoring program that I’d like to implement. I think as far as making student government visible, more user-friendly, and allowing the students to know that we’re here for their uses, I think I have fulfilled those goals. The Gamecock: Why do feel like there haven’t been that many stories that ran in The Gamecock and there haven’t been any quotes from you this semester and the last semester? MH: I ’m not quite sure. Often times I am busy, so getting in contact with me is kind of hectic, especially during my office hours. I usually have meetings. I usually schedule meetings during that lime where I can meet with other indi viduals. But, I’m not quite sure if it’s a personal vendetta. I doubt very seriously that’s what it is. Personally, I like to see that there are less stories about Stu dent Government because in the past, Student Government stories have been on a more controversial issue. But, this year everything’s that’s been printed about SG has been fair and has been addressing professional business issues. I thank the Gamecock for that. But, as far as my visibility and quotes, I would rather you go see someone in my Cab inet or someone in senate, or even the other two executive officers, rather than come to me because of the fact that we are an organization. Yes, I am the president, but at the same time, all of my [Cabinet] should be able to explain to any individual, any reporter, any stu dent the same viewpoints and same per spectives that I have. The Gamecock: What are thoughts on the impeachment issue of the treasur er? MH: Right now I’d definitely try to stay impartial to the issue. I think both sides are handling the issue the issue very pro fessionally, and the office, as well. As you know, sometimes people can hold personal vendettas, but I think that the issue is being handled professionally, business-oriented. And I think the out come will be reached by the peers of Elizabeth Fordham on an evident and reasonable-doubt correspondence. What will be brought will be brought down by evidence and brought on behalf by her representatives, as well as by Stu dent Government representatives. “Quote, Unquote” There’s no such thing as lost time.