David and Justin's Platform

1. David will reform the SGA to include everyone.

As SGA President, David will break down the barriers to entry in the SGA. Many highly qualified people were denied entrance to the SGA this school year for one reason or another. David believes that everyone should be involved with the SGA. David is running for SGA president because he believes that he can make a difference. David would not let petty personal squabbles impede making accomplishments that benefit students. Actions speak louder than words, and so judge David by his actions, not by his words! David will fight to ensure that the SGA is representative of the entire student population. To have an idea what David Gill's executive cabinet will look like; simply take a look at our campaign team. We have students on our campaign team from 5 continents. We don't just speak diversity, we live it!

2. David will fight tuition increases.

Tuition increases are something that affects everyone. David has studied this issue and is outraged that UMBC is one of the most expensive public universities in the country. While the current administration did little to fight tuition increases, David and his boss (the Governor's Budget Secretary) put a 43 million dollar increase in the state budget for the University System of Maryland (which includes UMBC) and for a substantial increase in financial aid. These measures will help to slow down or offset rising tuition rates. David knows many students that have been struggling to afford tuition increases. He also knows many university officials, state legislators, and budget officials in the state government that have the power to improve the tuition situation. David will search for means to adequately fund UMBC for years to come while keeping tuition down. He is pushing to be included on a state commission that will study this matter. David will also continue to go to Annapolis fight for reasonable tuition. David's knowledge of this issue and his personal connections will enable him to be an effective advocate in fighting tuition increases.

3. David will work to promote student activities.

David and Justin are big supporters of the many student organizations on this campus. They want to make it as easy as possible for student organizations to request and receive money quickly from the SGA. Also they believe that organizations not eligible for full SGA funding, such as fraternities and sororities should have an opportunity to request SGA funds for events they hold that are open to all students. David would work to ensure that as much space as possible is available for student organizations to reserve. Currently, student organizations are barred or severely restricted from reserving certain spaces on campus. Many of these spaces are unused most of the time. Another way David will help student organizations is to give assistance to any organization that comes to the SGA with a problem.



4. David will embrace diversity and multiculturalism.

Few people are as well culturally versed as David Gill, Justin Morgan, and his campaign team. They attend events put on by many different religious, cultural, political, and other types of groups. David is reaching out to all cultural student organizations and encouraging them to demonstrate unique aspects of their culture through events and awareness days. As SGA President, David Gill will support a Genocide Awareness Week in which cultural organizations of cultures that have been affected by genocide will be delegated a major role in the planning of events (yet another example of how David will include everyone in the SGA).

5. David Gill will work hand in hand with Sodexho dnning services and the university administration to improve food quality and options.

Students deserve responsible advocates who will represent student concerns about food to the administration in a courteous and professional manner. David Gill believes that there are ways that we can improve food quality in a way that will benefit both students and Sodexho. The Gill / Morgan administration would work out plans to approach Sodexho in a professional manner. David and Justin are supporting efforts to setup cafes that are not run by Sodexo. One of these cafes is already operating in the old UC (with very limited hours) and there is a separate cafe planned to occupy the "Harbor Hall Cafe" space.

6. David Gill will fight to improve the parking situation and ensure that students are not unfairly given parking tickets.

David and Justin would like to see more spaces on campus allocated for student parking. Also if you broke the rules and got a parking ticket, there is not much that David can do for you. However, if you did not break the rules and received a parking ticket, David Gill will be in your corner. Pre-law minors (or other qualified students) will be part of the Gill / Morgan administration and they will investigate all unfair parking ticket claims that are submitted to the SGA. David Gill will also fight to ensure that the rules are well known by all students in order to prevent them from breaking the rules. David Gill will not blindly promise that he will lower parking ticket costs. However, David Gill will do everything possible to ensure that you are not put in a situation where you would receive a parking ticket.

7. David Gill will work to ensure quality UMBC media.

As President, David Gill will expand UMBC channel 3 TV to encompass a greater selection of programs. Currently, the channel only hosts one program, a documentary about campus services. David believes that this channel can become a powerful medium for student involvement on campus. Sports games and highlights from student events would become a regular scene on channel 3. Arts events and other student programming will also be showcased on channel 3. As a DJ for WMBC, the campus radio station, and a media representative in the SGA House of Representatives, David understands the need for quality media. David also pledges to support the Retriever Weekly.