Blog 9
1037 words by ericnewton
The last time I updated the class on my project, I told you about the interest meeting that my friends and I held. Well, since the meeting many things have been going on. Working on this project and all the time it took to plan everything, made my friends and I consider changing our minds about the project. However, we prayed together and we all asked God to give us the strength to deal with this enormous task that we decided to take on.
There is one person who helped my friends and I take on this challenging task and that person is the Student Government Association president, Ms. Crystal Moore. We had a meeting with Crystal Moore in October, during which she gave us a lot of information regarding the steps that we needed to take to become an organization. She also told us that she though our idea was great and that she was elated that someone decided to step up and help the situation instead of just being another person complaining about the situation. Besides giving us praise, she also gave us some information about the University and how we would not be able to do fundraisers to raise money in the schools name because Xavier is a UNCF institution. Everything that Crystal told us helped us make our decision on how to change our organization a little.
The change that was made to the organization is not big but it definitely left my friends and I lost on how we would acquire the money to contribute to the parking facility. We had to come up with a way on how we would rework our fundraising objective and we decided that we were going to team up with another organization on campus and give a talent show or fashion show to raise the money we needed. I spoke with Crystal Moore about this and she thought that this would be the best way because it would be students supporting others students. When I had this conversation with her she also told me that once we became an official Xavier University organization that she would invite my friends and I to her monthly meeting with President Norman C. Francis so that he would know how the students felt about the parking around the campus community.
The implementation of my project which is to help improve the parking situation and also help beautify the University campus all depends on the IOC board and their decision. My project is in the hands of his board because before my friends and I can do anything about improving the current parking situation we have to be a legitimate organization that is recognized by Xavier University. My friends and I are currently working on our presentation that we will present before the IOC board so that we can find out if we will be accepted as a new organization. The date that we will present our presentation has been set in January after we return from the Christmas break.
The presentation has three major components to it that I think is coming along great. The presentation includes a constitution that states out Goals as an organization, our rules and policies. The second major component is our video documentary, which has students voicing their concerns on this current problem. The third component is the survey that will ask students various questions about how they feel about improving the campus. These are the only three things that we were allowed to present but we had much more information that I thought we would be able to use. I hope that the members on the IOC board will see how hard we worked to prepare for this project and how serious we are.
Although my friends and I are awaiting a decision from the IOC board, we have still been working on our project. Sometimes you will probably see us on campus taking pictures of ticketed cars; this will help our argument when we do make our presentation. We have also designed our own t-shirts that have a helmet on it and it reads, “The XU Home Improvement Team.” My friends and I have been very confident that we will be accepted as an organization. This project is definitely taking more time that I thought because of all the information and things we had to gather. At first I did not know how we would work on this project and deal with classes but I guess when you want something really bad, you are willing to work to work hard for it.
According to the Deuteronomistic Historian a good king constitutes a king who is devoted to one God and is not polytheistic. It would also be important that this king be aware and also stand by the Covenant of Yahweh and hold this as the key to their rule and appointment. I do not think that the Deuteronomistic Historian would support President George W. Bush because of many things that he have done in the past that questions his motives. The way he responded to Hurricane Katrina for example would show a Deuteronomistic Historian that he is a man who does not take caring and helping others in the time of need seriously. He would probably be looked upon as a man who does not fear the power of God and one who does not have Christian values and morals The biblical prophets definitely relate to my project because they stood up for what they believed in, despite how others around them felt. They knew that they had to follow Yahweh’s commandments and spread the good news of the lord. I know that they definitely made a difference and this is how I look at my project. I consider my project as something that is small and may be irrelevant to many but in the end it will help benefit everyone. My friends and I have received a lot of good wishes but we have also encountered people who laughed at the idea. Despite what people may say about the project I look to the biblical prophets as role models.
December 3rd, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Eric your project seems to be making great progress. I really hope that the IOC board approves your group. I really think your project will change Xavier University for the better. If you need some student support in the meeting you should let me know! Good Luck with the rest of your implementations of your project.
December 6th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
I think the implementation of your project is going well, although it is a slow and time-consuming process, it seems like you are making great progress. Your work now will definitely strengthen your argument when you present it to the IOC in January. However, you have done a great job with laying down the foundation of your project and getting your name and objective around campus. Similar to our project( Brittany and I) it is a long drawn out process that requires time and patience in order for it to be implemented properly according to school guidelines etc.
December 7th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
As a member of the Student Government Association for this academic school year I agree with our president, Crystal Moore, the concept of your organization will be beneficial if you all are successful in implementing it. Students here at Xavier often express their concerns within their own social groups and fail to adhere to the avenues SGA has set out to hear their concerns. With numbers low at Student Body Meetings it is difficult for committees to speculate the problems they should address each school year. This is why I applaud you for seeking out the proper person to voice you concerns with and being willing to continue trying to implement the problem next semester when you gain clearance to go ahead with the plan.
December 7th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Eric, you were able to find support for your project from someone with authority at Xavier so that was a good start, and what you needed to do to get your project off the ground. Although its actual implementation will take longer than expected, its excellent that you are staying on top of things and getting prepared for your group presentation. What I would suggest is just continuing to perfect your ideas and make them as convincing as possible while continuing to gain support for your project idea, I have faith in it!!
December 9th, 2006 at 10:42 am
Even though your project took a little time to plan out, I think that it will be a success. I know that every student at this University will be right behind you 100% because they know how the parking at this University is. Students going to school and have to pay for parking tickets is ridiculous. Your plan to make a talent or fashion show is a great idea! Well, all I can say is Good Luck and hopefully things will go the way you planned!
December 9th, 2006 at 10:43 am
Even though your project took a little time to plan out, I think that it will be a success. I know that every student at this University will be right behind you 100% because they know how the parking at this University is. Students going to school and have to pay for parking tickets is ridiculous. Your plan to make a talent or fashion show is a great idea! Well, all I can say is Good Luck and hopefully things will go the way you planned!
December 9th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Eric I absolutely love your project. In fact I would like to be apart of your organization. I would love to have a t-shirt and to help as a volunteer in your video presentation. I have received four parking tickets at Xavier this semester. I am so upset about the parking and I would love to help with the effort. I think your project has been well planned and coming along. You should also put up flyers around school about the organization and get people to sign a petition saying they feel it should become an official organization. Then you should present it to Dr. Norman C. Francis at the meeting in January. Good luck and God Bless!
~Let me know if I can help you
December 9th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
Improving a problem that most students encounter and attempting to improve the appearance of this school should never be ridiculed. This university needs visual improvement and student parking here is ridiculous- not to mention the many potholes/ mini-craters on the roads. If you are trying to get a parking spot that isnt miles away from the classrooms, you have to be there at like 7:00 to get a spot. In addition, the student parking area by the faculty parking lot directly by the NCF building looks very hazardous and cramped. I like your project because many of us tend to complain about problems, but not take the initiative to change them. Most of Xaviers buildings are reasonably new or in good condition; however, there are several other buildings which need a lot of work.
December 9th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Hey Eric, well it looks like your project has been doing very good. I know some of these projects get very tedious and its hard to continue doing them but you just have to keep faith and believe that you can do it. That was good news that Student Government Association President helped you with your project. I like how you rearranged your project to fit you. Parking has defiantly been a problem of Xaviers campus and I am happy to hear that your have informed Norman C. Francis about this problem. We need more people to speak up about the problems facing our school, that way more stuff can be done. Overall I think your project has been going great and I hope that you can continue implementing your project. Good luck and keep up the good work!
December 9th, 2006 at 11:46 pm
eric, you took on a huge problem here at Xavier! you really seem to be making quite a bit of progress through being persistent and searching for other outlets. i know that you will be working on this project even after our class is over and done with so i commend you for that! good luck in the next week and semester!
December 10th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
It is great that Crystal stepped in to help you all with improving the parking for Xavier students. Everytime there is a meeting please try your best to attend. This will benefit all of us. It is a shame that this was not thought of before you attended this university. I commend you. You are truly praiseworthy.
December 11th, 2006 at 10:17 pm
Eric your project sucks!!!!! Naw just kidding! Eric your project has started off on a good start. Taking the initiative to try and improve the conditions of Xavier University is a great approach. By you having Xavier’s Student Government support you was a big step as well. In agreement with Treece we do need more people like you to speak up when there are problems on Xavier’s campus. Just make sure you stay on top of things, Good luck!!
December 14th, 2006 at 8:37 am
I am proud of your project!!! The overall mission of the organization will help all students on campus. Your project is a unique one and that’s what makes it so special. I am glad that you have dedicated your time to addressing a major issue on campus. Best of luck in the future!!!