April 7 will be an eventful day across the USI campus. From Rice Day (celebrating the birthday of USI’s founding president, David L. Rice) to voting on a new Student Government Association and its constitution, the student body had plenty to do.
During the March 27 SGA meeting, the executive board announced they are finalizing plans for the April 7 annual Rice Day celebration.
According to President Tamia Smith, SGA usually tables by the traditions lounge with some activities, but this year the organization is planning a big event on The Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Festivities will range from light snacks to tie dye, along with a partnership with the University Archives and Special Collections to showcase USI history.
“There is 50 pounds of rice sitting in my office, so we will also do a make-your-own stress ball with balloons and rice for students,” Smith said.
The University Archives and Special Collections (UASC) plans to bring different personal items of Rice’s, such as his commencement robes, speeches and awards. Students will also be able to view different editions of The Shield, including the first edition of the The Roach, Indiana State University Evansville’s student publication and a slideshow of other USI/ISUE memorabilia.
UASC was created in 1972 with the funds provided by a Lilly Endowment grant. Today, there are over 85,000 digital items available on the Rice Library/UASC website. In addition to online collections, Jennifer Greene, university archivist, says UASC welcomes students and the public to their office year-round.
“There is university history and publications, communal studies materials and regional photographs, oral histories and documents,” Greene said. “We have several rotating displays that everyone is welcome to come see [and] we offer research assistance to anyone that wants to use the Digital Archives. There is a different display at the beginning of each semester showcasing the various collections.”
According to their website, UASC is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM by appointment only. Their office is located in Rice Library.
SGA hopes to reach out to the family of David L. Rice to invite them to the annual celebration.
Polls to vote for the next SGA general assembly, executive board and constitutional amendments will open on April 7. Students will be able to vote for candidates and whether or not to amend sections of the constitution. According to SGA Attorney General Samantha Fleischaker, a majority of the amendments are inconsistencies throughout the constitution.
In a report by SGA Chief Financial Officer Emily Campbell, she shared that the grants committee met to provide funds to campus organizations on March 25. The committee approved the following grant applications, therefore recommending the amounts for a vote by the SGA general assembly:
The vote of approval passed unanimously in the general assembly.
SGA holds weekly general assembly meetings on Thursdays in LA 1015. The meetings are open to students.