As a result of Duke Student Government's latest efforts to increase visibility, students can now chat with senators over frozen yogurt in Alpine Atrium or just watch them online in real time at weekly meetings.
DSG recently introduced two new methods for students to engage themselves in the workings of the group. Vice presidents hosted Weekly Open Forums for students Monday through Wednesday, and the DSG general body meeting was streamed live to the Internet for the first time last Wednesday.
"I think that as student government we should always be looking for ways to reach out to students," said senior Gina Ireland, DSG vice president for Academic Affairs.
She met with four students Monday, and said her forum went "really well." Ireland said DSG's involvement with the Duke South Asian Student Initiative began that afternoon after a student explained the proposal to her in person.
"Being able to meet with students is very important," Ireland said. "I hope that more students come out."
Executive Vice President Jordan Giordano and Vice President for Athletics and Campus Services Sunny Kantha, both juniors, set aside some time for students Wednesday. Giordano said only one student, a DSG senator, came to speak with them.
"It's a good idea, but it has to be executed effectively in order to accomplish its objective," he said. "There needs to be more publicity."
Vice President for Student Affairs Lucy McKinstry, a sophomore, said this week's forums were publicized with fliers on East Campus and in the Bryan Center. To heighten student awareness next week, signs also will be posted and a mass e-mail will be sent.
Ireland said free frozen yogurt, smoothies and soda, funded by the Office of Student Affairs, makes meeting with the vice presidents more enticing.
"Free food, that's what all Duke students love," Ireland said.
Junior Greg Caiola said he is not interested in meeting with a vice president, but noted that "it's nice to have that option."
Another valuable way to get students involved is through streaming the organization's meetings online, said DSG Director of Technology Justin Wickett, a sophomore. On his Web site, kvilletv.com, students can watch DSG meetings in real time while discussing them with their peers in a chat room. Wickett said he will monitor the chat while he is attending the meeting and, if a student says something meaningful, he may present it to senators.
"My hope is that students will let this run in the background on their screens, and if something of interest to you happens you can comment about it," he said. "Even if you're not physically at the meeting, your voice can still be heard."
Wickett said one problem with the chat room is that students do not have to sign on under their own names. Fifteen students logged in Tuesday, but several identified themselves as "Justin Wickett," he added.
"Video content is serious, but the chat room lacks authority," Wickett said.
Freshman Jonathan Amgott said he stays aware of DSG activities by reading The Chronicle, but does not think he will watch meetings online.
"If I wanted to watch their meetings live, I would be in DSG," he said.
DSG President Paul Slattery, a senior, said the organization's new, wiki-style Web site and senators' statements of legislative intent have also made the workings of the group more visible to students.
He added, however, that he suspects many students are already as engaged in DSG as they want to be.
"We've always tried to devise ways to more effectively communicate with and open ourselves to the student body," he said. "But to be honest, I'm sure a lot of students have things to do with their time besides watching us debate in the Senate."
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