Stipends for SGA e-board decrease this year
The Student Government Association (SGA) executive board will see a decrease in stipend payments this year. In accordance with an agreement last year between the Office of Student Affairs and SGA, Student Affairs pledged $60,000 for stipends to be dispersed during a four-year period. After matching the payments the first year, the total distribution for the five executives decreases by a little less than $7,000 for the incoming executive board. The Student Affairs pledge came after the university decided to get rid of the free tuition that was given to SGA executive board members. While the Leadership Scholars Program was created to give student leaders a chance to earn up to $10,000 a year, many in SGA felt the removal of the full scholarships was a hinderance to its e-board members. The Student Affairs’ support ends with the 2009-10 school year, and while the new e-board is aware of this decrease in payment, SGA needs to increase its fundraising and self-sufficiency, Vice President of Administration and Public Relations Krystal Beaulieu said. – Jessica Torrez-Riley, News Staff
ResMail beat 300 sites, named “Team of the Year”
Northeastern University’s ResMail was named “Team of the Year” for the Northeast Region by the Pitney Bowes Service Leaders Award, Customer Operations Manager Kier Byrnes announced May 9. The ResMail team beat more than 300 sites to win the national award, which is given by Pitney Bowes upper management to recognize outstanding performance in providing high-quality, cost effective service to their customers. Pitney Bowes Management Services President Vince DiPalma and Regional Vice President Tom Benvenuto came to Northeastern to meet with staff and present the award. ResMail also received the company’s “Site of the Month” award earlier this year. – Jessica Torrez-Riley, News Staff
President Aoun and staff move to Columbus Place
President Joseph Aoun, along with 10 members of his immediate staff and supporters of the Board of Trustees, moved into their new offices at 716 Columbus Place March 29. More members of the administration may move, pending a review of how moving certain people will maximize “our effectiveness as a leadership team,” Chief of Staff Mark Putnam said in an e-mail. The move was planned last August and announced in September. The purpose is to consolidate the president and board’s office in one location, since the offices were previously separated in their space in Churchill Hall, Putnam said. They hope the move to this building, which also houses the Alumni Center, will bring them closer to alumni, and to the surrounding community. “We were pleased for the opportunity to locate the Offices of the President and Board of Trustees closer to the communities that surround the campus emphasizing the importance [of] our relationship with our neighbors,” Putnam said. -Kate Augusto, News Staff
Associate dean helps pass legislation on hate crimes
Last month, Jack McDevitt, associate dean of Northeastern University’s College of Criminal Justice, testified before the State House Judiciary Committee in support of legislation addressing hate crimes.
