Written By: LaShawn Oglesby

The Red Cross, student complaints and the financial budget were the main topics of discussion at SGA’s Monday meeting.

Kathy Dallas from the American Red Cross was SGA’s first guest speaker. She talked about VSU’s annual blood drive and the challenge that goes along with the drive. VSU competes with the University of West Georgia for the most blood donations given, and the winning school receives a trophy.

According to Dallas, the challenge began about 12 years ago.

“I’m happy to say for the last five years VSU has come out on top,” Dallas said. “Last year though…we got it by one unit: 113 to 112. It was close.”

However, VSU has been slowly declining in the amount of blood donated over the years.

“The number one reason people say they don’t give is because they were not asked to give,” Dallas said.

The American Red Cross is looking for help from SGA to raise awareness of the blood drive and get more people involved, not only to keep the trophy in Dr. McKinney’s office, but to help people who need it.

People can get involved by simply asking others to donate, be it stranger or friend.

“Just because you can’t give doesn’t mean you can’t participate,” Dallas said.

The American Red Cross recently got a new app called “The Red Cross Blood App,” which offers upcoming blood drives, appointment schedules, reminders and alerts, and the ability to rate the experiences giving blood and keep track of all blood donated by the user.

Tyler Barker, SGA president, was informative about recent issues that the student services and activity faculty senate committee discussed. Students have been complaining about the bus services and the recreation center’s hours.

SGA is looking to create surveys about both issues at the end of the semester for students so SGA can “try to get a better understanding.”

The current SGA budget, $9,673.75, was briefly discussed along with the $1,000 that will be going toward the Kel Mitchell event. Kel Mitchell, a Nickelodeon celebrity will be visiting VSU for a meet and greet Oct. 10.

Concerning Kick Butts day, which began Oct. 1, a reinforcement of the smoking policy was discussed. Repeat offenders will be referred to the office of the dean of students. Students can report repeat offenders straight to the dean’s office or to the campus police.