Brandon Carroll
 
Good Afternoon:   I just want to start and say what an absolute pleasure it is to be here today. As Dr. Flanagan said, I am the SGA President, the organization which represents the voice of over 23,000 students. I take that collective voice and talk with administrators about issues on campus. A good SGA President keeps the administration in check, and also tries to work with them to find pragmatic and realistic solutions to issues. 


Our mission statement says, “We desire to reinvent the role which student government serves in undergraduate students’ daily life by creating and pursuing positive change based upon their needs.   We embody the motto of "Ut Prosim," and selflessly serve the students, by establishing a lasting dialogue, which will inspire real progress and encourage individual empowerment.   Finally, we are steadfastly committed to enhancing the collective experience of the entire Virginia Tech community and providing a voice to every viewpoint through active feedback and outreach leading to a unified Hokie nation. What does this mean? It means that it’s all about the students, and not about us. SGA’s purpose is to be the liaison; the bridge is you will, that connects the administration with the student body. 


Now, we are in dire economic times. I just wrote an op-ed about the pending budget in VA that would actually take 5% of our student fee reserve funds and put them back into the general fund. As individuals, we are weak. As departments, we are strong. As a unified University, we are powerful. I just got back from Hokie Day, and students, alumni, and administrators all agree on one thing: higher education is extremely important to the health of the Commonwealth and what the state is doing right now…is just not right.  They cannot continue to keep cutting our budget and expect us to be a top tier academic institution. My job becomes even more difficult when the economy is not doing well; I can’t really ask the University to spend money when staff members are being laid off and faculty members’ salaries are being frozen. Classrooms are being forced to expand, and our quality of education is diminishing.

So, how do I approach issues on campus? I try to look at everything from a conceptual standpoint, and work with the University to find a solution. The administrators here truly care about us, and they wish they could do more. The resources just are not there. There are some things we can try – it gives us a chance to be creative. For instance, at the beginning of the year, we worked with dining services to implement a dining incentives plan, where students would actually get a 10% discount if they are between the hours of 3-5pm. Our goal was to alleviate some of the crowds during peak hours, save some students some money, and actually it could still keep the University out of the red ink. Because of the long lines during 12-2, the University is actually losing money (their opportunity cost) because they can’t serve students and the wait time can be up to 30 minutes! If we could have transferred enough students, it would have been implemented full time. Some issues on campus include getting a 24/7 study facility, which my team and I are working diligently to resolve, better transportation options, more sustainable practices and policies, and ways to impact students’ day to day life.  

The University is receptive to changes, which is refreshing. Last semester, my goal was to really understand the governance structure of the University, set a foundation, and realistically set the structural agenda moving forward. Now, this semester is focused on action, where my team and I will make carefully crafted recommendations to the University that helps students. On my desk is a commitment that I made to the student body that says, “SGA will remain loyal to the students above the University.” My ultimate goal is that everyone at University becomes student-centered. 

 There are so many ways that the University can empower students to help solve issues that directly affect life at Virginia Tech. Our main focus is the student voice; the collective voice. We aim to amplify it, and we strive to substantiate it. 


I want to end with a statement, a challenge, and a quote. My statement is that we have the best University in the United States of America. Our students, staff, faculty, and administrators are smart, they are caring, they are innovative, and they thrive off collaboration. I truly am blessed to be in my role. I feel privileged and I feel humbled. I have never looked up to someone more than President Steger. His leadership, his vision, and his genuine interest in students make me proud to be a Hokie.  Now, my challenge is that we continue to work to not only invent the future, but reinvent the future.  Let’s look at today’s issues from a conceptual standpoint, and ask ourselves, “is this in the best interests of the students?” And my quote for you is this, “If better is possible, good is not enough.” Let’s continue to not be complacent with the way things are, and dare to be great. 

Thank you for your time, and if anyone wants to see any more specific details about our plans this year, I have copies of our Strategic Plan, which can also be found on our website.
 
 
As students at Virginia Tech, our tuition is expected to rise around 9 percent a year for the next four years. In these dire economic times, making college accessible to all is even more critical for the future of the commonwealth.

The state legislature does not understand how important Tech is to the health and growth of the commonwealth. College is not accessible and affordable to all, and more and more students are struggling to meet ends meet. More students are being forced to have a job (or two) and still try to have time to study. Virginia ranks No. 40 in terms of how supportive the state is to higher education. Tech is disproportionally funded.

According to the Government Relations office, Tech receives less than 25 percent of our $1.05 billion operating budget from the state. In 1999, that number was more than 50 percent. The average spending by the state per student nationally is $7,059. In Virginia that number is $5,805.

Salaries are being frozen, people are being laid off, and classroom size is being forced to expand. The best and brightest teachers are able to find jobs elsewhere, because we cannot simply afford to pay them what they deserve. However, that is not even the bad news. It’s not even close.

Before Gov. Kaine left office he proposed a tax on public university auxiliary funds as a means of putting money back into the general fund deficit. These are the student fees that every student pays in order to better our school academically and structurally. The school sets our student fees at a certain price, and that money goes toward different aspects of our collegiate experience.

If this bill goes through, it will give the state unprecedented power over public institutions. We currently have reserve funds that are supposed to help support the health and growth of Tech. Some members of the General Assembly believe they are entitled to our money. The proposed budget seizes $18.8 million or roughly 5 percent of each school’s auxiliary funds.

Unlike general fund dollars, which originate from state appropriations, these auxiliary funds are made up of money raised by the schools from student fees. Students and parents, who are continuing to struggle to afford a college education, paid these fees to their institution to ensure that each school could have revenue for projects that were not eligible to receive general fund dollars. These funds were also used to secure good accounting practices and to cover unexpected financial problems (such as a leaking roof in the dining hall).

Here is the good news: SGA is sponsoring the most students in the history of student government to lobby in Richmond to protest this “tax” and show those in Richmond that higher education plays an integral role in the commonwealth.

We need to let Gov. McDonnell know that we cannot stand for this and amendments to Gov. Kaine’s proposed budget must be made. On Feb. 3, more than 50 students will make history by heading to Richmond to carry this very strong message. Want to know how you can get involved? Contact Brittany Anderson, SGA director of government affairs, at baa526@vt.edu or myself at brandoncarroll@vt.edu.

 
 
In a word: Life Changing

Wow. I must say, looking back in reflection, Israel truly changed my life. It made my PROUD to be a Jew. The pride people show in their our country was just breathtaking. Years of fighting over our land has led to Israel being declared a Jewish State. I felt welcomed. I felt home.

It all started with a group of people, but we left as a family. We had a tour guide named Gal, who was so genuine to the point that it was almost too much. He wanted to ensure we left educated about Israel, but he was almost too blunt. When I asked him if we were his favorite group, he said “not even close.” I know he loves us J

We didn’t sleep, we only rested. We were always filled with so much excitement. Each day was jam packed, and we’d be exhausted when we returned to the hotels, but the night was just getting started. We would drink, converse, and talk about life. It was so surreal that everyone in the hotel was Jewish. I am so used to being the “jew” out of my group of friends. I so felt comfortable being myself around everyone, which was nice.  I think everyone felt that way

I loved Tzfat, because it reminded me so much of an Actively Caring culture. What I mean is that there are jars all over the city. It isn’t called charity; rather it is called Tzedakah, which means “Justice.” It is their civic duty to give. I just love that aspect of the Jewish culture; we look after one another. Jews are known to be some of the most Philanthropic people in the world. We genuinely care about the world, which is something that makes me extremely proud to be a Jew.

The amount of history in Israel is just mind-boggling. It is a holy land for so many people around the world. The Jewish culture has evolved so much in the past 50 years.

When the soldiers finally arrived, I didn’t know what to expect. I personally became very emotionally attached to the soldiers. They were such great people; they were funny, mature, genuine, and caring. It put things into perspective when one of the soldiers told me a story where he killed a terrorist. Our worries in college may include whether to attend class or not, where to eat, and what “everyone is doing tonight?” They are worrying about losing their lives. One of the soldiers said something that really stuck out to me. He said, “If the Arabs put down their weapons, there’d be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons, there’d be no more Israel.” They are fighting for their country’s survival.  They are all such great people. It really enhanced our collective experience by having them with us. I wish they were with us longer.

My favorite part of the trip had to of been when we were on top of Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea. It was just breathtaking. There was so much history on top of that mountain. I also really enjoyed learning about the Western Wall and how King Herod built the House of God that the Romans destroyed.

Did this trip change me spiritually? I don’t think so. But, it did change me culturally, which is exactly what the keynote speaker wanted us to walk away with. My heritage, my family, my blood, comes from Israel. It felt good to be back home.

 
 
 
I wrote this poem and read it to Liviu Librescu's wife when we visited with her in Israel. 


Impact
By: Brandon Carroll


Impact
What effect can one dollar, one person have on the world?
Liviu Librescu, an education, father, husband, companion, friend, proud Israeli, Hokie, and a Hero
Impact
Courage, more than just a word; rather an action.
A fraction.
Of what we will ever experience
The Holocaust, Immigration, and the Ultimate Sacrifice
But, there's still life...
Within our souls, our minds, and our thoughts
Impact
On his students, on America, on Israel, and around the World
A choice, a voice. 
His heart, a start
His passion, his action
His wisdom, our knowledge 
Impact
Brilliant, yet humble, sincere, and kind
A family man who was genuine all the time
Honorable, the epitome of Ut Prosim
Time is frozen...
The past is never dead, it isn't even past
His memories will last.
Forever, living within our souls
Forever, growing our minds
Forever, realized in our thought
Our angel lives today
Impact



 
 
Hokies Helping Haiti

January 19, 2009

7:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.

Squires Colonial Colonial Ballroom

Squires Student Center

 

Agenda (working agenda, click here)

 

I.              Welcome, 7:30 – 7:35

 

II.            Call to Order, 7:35-7:40

 

III.           Breakout Session, 7:40 – 8:20

 

a.    Public Education

b.    Broad Based Fundraising

c.    Special Event Fundraising

d.    Logistics

 

IV.          Breakout Presentations to Group, 8:20 – 8:45



V.           Kevin Ayoub and Steve Burrell, 8:45 – 8:55

a.    Event Planning and Fund Handling For Events

 

VI.          Open Forum, 8:55 – 9:00 (or longer)

 

VII.         Adjournment

 
 

***Updated 01/15/2010 at 2am


Please e-mail me at brandoncarroll@vt.edu with any comments/additions

 Any events that students run for Haiti will be donated directly into the Hokies United Fund. From there, we will donate to Partners in Health (PIH) once a week on behalf of Hokies United. This way, we will be able to count how much is donated by the Hokie Nation. We need to make this transition in the near future.

I have attached a JPG that you can use for your facebook and/or advertising materials for an event you may want to hold.

Ideas

Challenge Jars: Basketball teams can have jars in secure boxes that we can count (through volunteers). They can be used to get bigger donations during games - wrestling, volleyball, and basketball can all participate. We are waiting on athletics to see if this is something they want to take part in.

T-shirts: We have a lot of t-shirts that people can buy at their own named price (extra sga t-shirts, past hokies united t-shirts for Katrina, and more). Also, we can make our own t-shirts and sell those as well. All options will be discussed. Feel free to add your t-shirts as well.

Collection Points: We will have collection points in Squires Student Center starting Tuesday. They will be in secure locked boxes, and be given to Steve Burrell in Student Activities at the end of the day. We can also get Professors or anyone really to match donations made at one point and/or in a jar.

5k/Runs: We can organize a run with RecSports, where all of the proceeds go to Hokies United in an effort to support Haiti

Potluck Dinner: Raise money in a simple fashion, working alongside the Blacksburg Community. Contacts here are: Chris Strock and Margaret and Daniel Breslau

Radio for Awareness: Contact here is Andy Morikawa. There may be a radio show for awareness. 

For the potluck dinner/radio awareness, first contact is Vero Arroyave at varroya@vt.edu

Students to Haiti: Some students really want to go to Haiti to help. Is it in Hokies United best interests to send students to help in the relief efforts and/or plan a trip for Spring Break?

Stop Hunger Now with SGA's The Big Event: This was already being planned by Dan Knisley ( dknisley@vt.edu ). They were attempting to raise $75,000 to send 300,000 meals to Haiti, and they are supplying 1,200 volunteers to help them package the meals.

Questions

When do we give things other than money? We are in contact with PIH and other relief groups to figure that out, but it is a talking point regardless

All the money going to PIH? The issue with this is the money is untraceable.Also, some students have other charities they are interested in the Hokies United money going toward. VT has an official partnership with PIH (see attached). If money goes to Hokies United, we can actually see our impact. We also need to set a goal and maybe estimate the total donations made to PIH? Also, I was given a good piece of advice from someone who said we can ask PIH to tell us the total donations made with a @vt.edu address, and then try to get students to e-mail hokiesforhaiti@vt.edu if they've donated via their cell phone or through some other organization.

How do we mobilize volunteers? How do we host events - the logistics?

How do we create one consistent message throughout the entire Hokie Community?

What is the most important issue we need to focus on right now?

***Update on Awful Arthur’s Fundraiser – the artist will most likely be Danni Rosner (http://www.myspace.com/dannirosner) – she is coming to play for free. There will be a cover charge, and all proceeds will go to Hokies United. Contact Jenny Borman at jcborman@vt.edu for more details.

If you and/or a group wants to start a fundraiser with the proceeds going to Hokies United, please e-mail me at brandoncarroll@vt.edu and I can get you on the agenda for Tuesday. I want to have a running list of fundraisers (marathons, concerts, events in downtown Blacksburg, et cetera) by Monday at 9pm. We can also open up the floor for some ideas on Tuesday.

 
Update on Haiti 01/14/2010
 
Good Morning:

After sending out this e-mail to Hokies United, I received some e-mails from students that helped guide me on how the University and Hokies United should respond to the tragedy that occurred in Haiti:

(1) Hokies United wants to equip their website with the Click and Pledge component in order to accept donations immediately. From my understanding, students think this is the number one priority and that it needs to be done as soon as possible. I know that Josh Burnheimer (ffburnie@vt.edu) is awaiting to hear from VT Hosting, as well as a local company in the CRC on how we proceed from here. I understand there are a lot of questions regarding the logistics behind the website, the actual donation process we will have in place, et cetera, so expect to hear from me in the near future with further details;

(2) Hokies United does want to partner with Partners in Health (PIH), because it is a way to build off something already established; 

(3) Students do believe we should solicit donations from all angles. Chris Strock said (see attached meeting notes) that cash is needed more than anything, and it is from my understanding that Hokies United agrees. Some students within Hokies United believe that we should mention the text messaging donation in the University-wide e-mail (Text HAITI to 90999 to charge $10 to your cell phone carrier), as this may serve as a quick way to provide relief. I simply heard this as a suggestion, and I have not re-introduced it to Hokies United in order to reach a consensus; 

(4) I was informed by Jenny Borman (jcborman@vt.edu), who is a Senior at Virginia Tech, that she is organizing a fundraiser at Champs. It is called Hokies for Haiti, but I have added her to this message to give everyone further details;

(5) A student named Darius Emrani e-mailed and called me this evening to tell me about what he and others have been doing in Haiti and educating me about the health clinic they are building. I want to introduce all of them into this conversation to give the entire group more of an understanding of PIH and how we can work with them. Their names are Colin Glesner (cglesner@vt.edu), Maggie Morrison (mags2010@vt.edu), Dr. Theo Dillaha (dillaha@vt.edu), Tim Moore (tmoore@daa.com), Robert Oliver Parke Loyd (ropl@vt.edu), and Susie Frasca (sfrasca@vt.edu). Please inform us on what already is being done, as well as how we can proceed on ways to donate effectively and efficiently through PIH; 

(6) Bo Hart is meeting with Kevin Ayoub from Event Planning tomorrow to figure out what time/where we are meeting on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010. The reason the meeting is pushed back until then is because I want to ensure that all students are at Virginia Tech when this meeting takes place. Every member of the Hokie Nation is encouraged to attend, and the agenda will be sent out before the meeting takes place. Once details are finalized, please help me get the word out, so we can truly have a University consensus on how we should respond. We will also have collection points setup, but Hokies United will need help with volunteers to help work the booths/ensure we always have someone at the collection points; and

(7) Tomorrow, there should (John Dooley, please confirm this) be an e-mail sent out to the entire Virginia Tech community on how we are responding to this tragedy. 

Please let me know if you have any questions whatsoever. My cell phone number is (301) 802-9845. Feel free to call/text me tomorrow. This is not solely my decision; rather this is the decision of Hokies United, and I am coincidentally the one who is facilitating their wishes. Hokies United is a student-driven volunteer effort organized to respond to local, national, and international tragedies that may impact our students and our community. If anyone on here wants to do a fundraiser or do something on their own, you have my full support. 

I just know that we, as Hokies, need to respond as soon as possible to this unprecedented tragedy. 

The plan of action for Hokies United is as follows:

(1) Hokies United is partnering with PIH, and there will be a place for donations directly to PIH made on the HU website as soon as possible. The URL for Hokies United ishttp://www.hokiesunited.org.vt.edu;

(2) There will be a meeting on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 (time/place TBD) to decide on what fundraising activities Hokies United moves forward with (T-shirts, Hokies vs Hoos?, Awareness ideas, et cetera);

(3) Darius, Nick, and others hopefully will educate us on Partners in Health and what is already being done to respond to the Haiti Tragedy; and

(4) An e-mail will be sent out with signatures from President Steger, the GSA President and the SGA President in the very near future.

I have never seen a tragedy of this magnitude in my entire life. I am grateful to be a part of the Hokie Nation, and I sincerely thank you for your attention to this matter.

For Haiti,
Brandon
 
 

Please respond to this message as soon as possible, so that I can respond to the University by 9am tomorrow (01/14/2010).

Hello,

Before I begin this message, please forward this out to any students that are interested in helping Haiti get through this international tragedy.

At 4pm today, I took part in a conversation with several people, which included students, faculty, alumni, and university administrators. It was agreed upon that the university should respond to this tragedy in Haiti and feel that it would be best if it proceeds through Hokies United. 

(1) We would like to move forward with an email out to all Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, and the Community acknowledging the support Virginia Tech intends to offer and providing an avenue to donate though Hokies United. 

(2) We would like to hold a Hokies United meeting Tuesday, January 19th to discuss further response efforts which include, but are not limited to: donation collection points, fundraising opportunities, t-shirts, etc. More information will be sent out on the location once it is finalized. 

(3) Currently, the University has a strong partnership with Partners in Health (PIH) who have been in Haiti for the past 25 years providing support. We would like to direct the fundraising towards that organization as we feel it is the most secure and logistically feasible way to put the donations to good use in a timely manner.

This is time sensitive so please respond as soon as possible if there are any comments, so I can send an e-mail on behalf of Hokies United to the Administration acknowledging our participation. All students are members of Hokies United. I am going to respond with a consensus to the administration (John Dooley, VP of Outreach and International Affairs in particular) by 9am tomorrow. Also, look at the Collegiate Times tomorrow, for they will have a brief statement about our efforts. We would like to have the Hokies United website up and running tomorrow.

Here are the meeting notes from today's meeting: http://sgaexec.pbworks.com/f/Haiti_MeetingNotes_011310.docx

Thank you.

Ut Prosim,
Brandon
 
 
I used to write poetry all the time, and it was very therapuetic. I decided to start doing it again. I wrote this tonight and I am leaving the empo at 5:45 am

Title: Change Our Generation

Temptation
For an entitled Generation
Our thoughts, our words
All centered around ourself
Self – the innate being that values our wealth
As people,
On the steps of churches and steeples
We mislead.
Our actions do not follow our creed

We are fake….as we lie…in a bed of thorns
And pretend them to be roses

We scorn …..
To know the truth
We are youth

We fringe….
As we stand on the edge…
Of wisdom…
As we look down, we see harmony and trust
Why is life is comfortable where we are
Where has love gone…it is now a world filled with lust

We shriek,
As we look in the sky
And see the star-filled disguise

We cry
We never wake up from the world
The nightmare
We stare....(read more)

 At an empty skyAnd see truth
It’s hard to sink in, but we deny
We deny
The truth that lays before the sky
Within our reach, between our eyes

It’s scary up there
Beware
Of the dog
The dog who becomes a wolf
A wolf with an ego
But you see though


This will change


We need sincere tranquility
Even more, we need ability
Ability 
That leads to humility

Knowledge speaks..but wisdom listens
We talk…
Because we have to
Without even being asked to

The norm is incorrect
Let me dissect….Courage….

Empowers those to do what is right
To put up the fight…
To be the light
 
That shines

Toward wisdom…knowing we are forgiven
AS long as we listen
Realize what we have been given
We must be grateful of this incision

A mind, a soul,
A choice, a voice
A heart, a thought
A passion, an action

The world is ours, yet we take it all

We just need a chance
We must stay humble
Or our world will crumble
It’s like we are in the jungle

Our species is becoming endangered
We are no longer friends, just strangers
Who talk, yet don’t embrace
Each other
Can’t even lean on one another


This will change


Collective unity through difference

It just takes a minority
No need for authority

Status, titles
Are acts of fiction

Work hard so you do not feel entitled
Earn it and you will feel righteous
Others will follow
At first, the pill is hard to swallow

Practice
Make it a habit
Let others discover. Let them have it

They will feel value. 
They will listen
And discover what they were missing

Courage to make a new path
Look back and laugh
Staying humble
The world won’t crumble

Becoming wise
Discovering the sixth sense
And seeing the disguise
That was in the sky
Understanding their Ears
Are truly their eyes

This has changed
 

Temptation
It’s for last year’s generation
 
 
Below is SGA's strategic plan:


Strategic Plan


Let me know what you think!