When junior Jordan Giordano took on the job of executive vice president, his goal was to increase the efficacy of Duke Student Government's Senate.
Five months later, the organization has seen a marked increase in Senate proposals.
So far this year, senators have pored over 19 resolutions proposed by 13 individuals, up from the four resolutions proposed by this time last year. The most dramatic increase was seen among freshmen, who have proposed six resolutions in the time last year's class submitted one.
"In my experience the Senate is the real power of the organization," Giordano said. "It's really what makes the organization what it is."
Proposals span a variety of categories, touching on the environment, academics and social life on campus.
The increase is a product of the newly implemented legislative intent program and the revival of the DSG retreat at the start of the academic year, Giordano added.
"The program is absolutely a success," he said. "I think it's made our organization more effective."
The retreat helped teach freshmen and other new senators the basics of working in DSG, with workshops on parliamentary procedure and resolution writing, Giordano said.
The legislative intent program has been successful because it holds senators accountable for their goals, said junior Sunny Kantha, vice president for athletics and campus services.
"It has been doing a good job in the sense that it allows other people to see what my senators are doing," he said.
Increased accountability has led to increased initiative among senators, Kantha added.
"I feel like the freshmen have really done much better than previous groups of freshmen," Giordano said.
Several freshmen attributed their legislative successes at least in part to the program.
"I think that the legislative intent program has helped senators to get organized and focused on working on a specific project," said Clarke Hitch, a freshman student affairs senator.
Freshman Andrew O'Rourke, a community interactions senator, credited the program with helping him stay on track.
"It has done more for me in the sense that it allows me to review my own progress and set a more strict timeline for myself," O'Rourke, who has proposed two resolutions, wrote in an e-mail.
However, freshman Mike LeFevre-an athletics and campus services senator who proposed opening a cafe on East Campus-attributed his resolutions to personal drive rather than to the DSG program.
"The difference between a senator who has got a lot done and one who has not is their own motivation," he said. "I don't think [the legislative intent program] did very much for me because I had a lot of ideas. I think it was a reminder for a lot of people in the Senate to come up with projects on their own."
LeFevre also said Kantha's encouragement helped him with his projects.
"He's an incredible member [of the committee]," LeFevre said. "He really has a practical grasp on everything."
Kantha said he takes a hands-on approach in working with his committee to develop each member's projects.
Senior Kristin Pfeiffer, an athletics and campus services senator, credited both Kantha and Giordano with helping many senators with their projects.
"I know Sunny is always encouraging us to write resolutions," she said. "[Giordano] is always there if anyone needs help or has a question or maybe wants to run something by him."
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