Stephen Bilas, a business management and finance junior, will be the 2012-13 student body president, with Mary Katherine Kington as his vice president.

He became involved with Student Government his freshman year and has held several leadership positions on campus. Bilas discussed his goals for next year, his involvement on campus and his life outside of Student Government.

Q: As next year’s student body president, what are your goals for the university?

A: From a Student Government standpoint, I want to put together the right people in the right positions.
This will be my last year at UK and I want to make sure this administration leaves UK in the right hands. We can only do so much and we could do the greatest job, but if we leave it to people who are unprepared then that is all lost.

We want to see some sort of teacher accountability system in place, kind of like Rate My Professor, but credible. We want to match the intentions and expectations of teachers to the students. Not everybody operates in the same fashion in terms of scholastic achievement and some people have different expectations. It’s not an attempt to find the easiest classes, but to see who the best teachers are for my needs. We feel like a lot of administrations tried to implement this, but it wasn’t their main focus. It was kind of put on the back burner.

As for the Board of Trustees, I want to open the lines of communication so it’s not just me making decisions. I want to connect with other people in SG and other people who are interested.

I want to have an open-door policy because at the end of the day, I will have to make a vote and I want as much information so I can represent everyone instead of just one person.

Q: What inspired you to run for SG president?

A: It was a long, drawn out decision. It was always in the back of my mind. I remember sitting at freshman orientation in Memorial Hall and listening to the student body president talk. I went back and forth wondering if it is something I wanted to do.

When the decision came, I thought Mary Katherine Kington and I would do well. It’s not the two people at the top, but who they surround themselves with. I felt like I could put together a group of people, not just juniors and seniors, but new upcoming students who can hold higher positions and really benefit.

I am really passionate about serving others. You have to give up your life for a year, but I know the benefits of working hard for this position.

Q: Aside from Student Government, what do you do for fun?

A: I am very involved in several other organizations. If you stay just in SG, you limit yourself. The important thing I stress to freshmen is you have to be involved. It doesn’t matter where or with who. Once you get involved, the campus turns into a tinier, home base of networks and you feel more at home.

I joined Sigma Chi and held several leadership roles, worked on DanceBlue corporate committee and helped raise record numbers. It was such a great feeling.

I started right away in SEAM — Scholars of Engineering and Management. It’s a great opportunity and great program to get involved on campus. It instilled in me the idea of getting involved.

I just like staying active. I played golf in high school and try to play as much as I can throughout the year. And no one can say no to Keeneland.

If there is an event on campus, I try my best to experience it. Now is the time to experience different things, so why waste it?

The only thing I dislike hearing people say is that they want to get their feet settled before getting involved. I am a junior and my feet aren’t settled. I am still a little nervous.

Q: Do you think President Eli Capilouto was a good choice to represent the university?

A: I couldn’t be happier with the new president and the work he has done.

I am excited to work on a higher level and on a regular basis with him. I have spoken to other universities and the willingness to cooperate with the president isn’t always there.

It’s interesting the amount he is going to be able to accomplish if given the opportunity. He already broke new ground for a new dorm in under a year. He works tirelessly to figure out ways to benefit students and has been a positive example to me.

He doesn’t have a hidden agenda, which is rare. He is very clear and thinks realistically and constructively. I am interested to see, going forward, how he interacts with certain things.

It’s a tough position to hold, especially in a year when UK is making a $20 million budget cut, with a $45 million deficit when he is trying to build.

At the same time, he is trying to break even but have the university play catch up. It is very difficult, and he is working tirelessly to make this place better. I will do my best to help him.

Dead week is upon students, and that means cramming for finals, finishing up term papers and turning in last minute assignments.

However, the UK community will have a chance to unwind at Cram Jam Thursday night at Memorial Coliseum.

Student Government officials want to give students a chance to relax, kick their feet up and temporarily take their minds off of school work with the second Cram Jam.

The goal of Cram Jam is to accomplish what the Student Activities Board’s Crunch Brunch does every fall. Although in its second year, SG hopes Cram Jam can become a dead week staple, making students’ lives a little easier.

“Students should go to Cram Jam because it’s the perfect opportunity to take their minds off tests, papers and projects and have fun,” said Kyle Snapp, the SG deputy chief of communications. “They will be able to spend time with a diverse array of students who are all there to get away from the stresses of the classroom.”

This year will feature a “carnival” theme, with snacks such as corn dogs, nachos and cotton candy. Other events will include cornhole, pickup basketball games, a massage table, music and tours of the Joe Craft Center.

Free food and drinks will be offered, and the first 1,500 students will get a free T-shirt.

“I love the diverse population of UK students that come out to Cram Jam,” said Stephen Bilas, SG president-elect and current chief of staff.

Bilas said the event is good to relax and take a break from studying.

“Our goal is to provide a relaxing event during a traditionally stressful time for students,” he said.

In addition to events, there will also be several new additions for this year incorporating the theme, including carnival games, the snack shack and a safety-dog petting station.

UK Athletics will also provide a 64-foot inflatable obstacle course.

“Cram Jam is special because it’s a time for students to hang out with friends they haven’t seen for a while,” said Tamika Tompoulidis, director of student organizations for Student Government. “During the craziness of finals week, we often forget to say goodbye to all our friends and Cram Jam is a great opportunity for this.”

“It’s going to be a smörgåsbord of fun and relaxation,” said Clay Lampl, Student Government’s deputy chief of staff for campus issues.

Click here for details

UK Student Government held initiation Wednesday for its newest members.

SG President Stephen Bilas and Vice President  Mary Katherine Kington, as well as 21 new members, were initiated at 8 p.m. in the Student Center.

To open the meeting, senators from the 2011-12 school year thanked their fellow members, including former SG President Micah Fielden and Vice President Nikki Hurt, for their contribution and hard work toward SG.

Fielden, who is an agricultural biotechnology  senior, offered advice to the newest members.

“Always remember that it’s all about the students here at UK. The students are depending on your voice,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for all the new members and we all know you’ll do very well.”

Bilas and  Kington were sworn into office, as well as the 21 new members for the 2012-13 school year.

Kington, a finance junior, has been a senator since her freshman year.

She said the new members “have lots of leadership potential” and she is “looking forward to this great opportunity of working with them this next school year.”

Eli Edwards, an English education, English and Linguistics junior, was elected as Senate president.

Edwards has been involved in SG for the past two years.

“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” he said.  ”This is an exciting time for the Senate and this next year will bring about plenty of new ways to improve the Senate even more.”

The other positions were later initiated.

“I have a lot of faith in the newly elected members,” Fielden said.  ”We know UK’s students will be represented well.”

Four years ago, Micah Fielden was registered for classes and ready to attend the University of Miami. But during his last week in his hometown of Lexington, he decided to give UK a shot.

After a four-hour tour and seeing the agricultural biotechnology program, he changed his mind.

“I’ve had an amazing experience here,” said Fielden, the outgoing student body president. “I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else.”

For Student Government this year, it wasn’t about creating new, large programs. It was about focusing on its mission.

“Student Government is getting back to its roots,” said Todd Cox, the Student Government adviser, “and they accomplished that.”

As this year comes to an end, the new Student Government staff members will transition into their positions, including incoming president Stephen Bilas.

While students are preparing to move on, Fielden is, too.

“I think a year in office is a good thing to have, then you need to elect new people and get a fresh perspective,” Fielden said. “With one year, there’s really not a ton you can do.”

Fielden said that’s why it is important to be focused on what needs to be accomplished.

“I tried to be cautiously optimistic about getting a lot done,” he said.

In the past few years, administrations have created big projects that people can see, Cox said. Though he said that isn’t bad, “I think they kind of lost their way when it came to governmental relations.”

This year’s administration made sure they improved major programs, “but they weren’t going to necessarily add a huge program because they really want to get back to their roots,” Cox said.

From implementing the Wildcat Interest Group, to rallying in Frankfort for higher education as well as in Washington, D.C., Student Government has been active in state and national politics.

“I think both Micah and I wanted to use this opportunity to be transparent and represent students,” Vice President Nikki Hurt said. She said it’s a reason why they created Wildcat Interest Group.

Cox said Fielden has had more of a presence in the political realm, such as hosting the gubernatorial forum.

“I think that this administration really understood what the purpose of Student Government is, which is to provide services and programs and really be the voice of the students,” Cox said.

The best thing the administration has done this year, he said, is returning to being a representative body.

“It’s hard to make everybody happy, but I think they did a much better job this year of living their actual mission statement,” Cox said.

Representing students

A lot more goes into being student body president than one might think.

Fielden represented students as a member of the Board of Trustees, working with more than 20 influential individuals who make decisions for the university.

He also is the face of the student body to the community. He is present at public events, ranging from the recent groundbreaking of the New Central Residence Hall, to being a leader at the Rally for Higher Education, or by encouraging students to stay safe during Final Four celebrations.

Related link: UK students participate in rally for higher education

“He really tried to advocate for the students,” Hurt said regarding Fielden’s role on the Board of Trustees and in Frankfort.

Having similar interests and the same major, Hurt said they made a good team.

“We were able to build off each other’s strengths,” she said.

Hurt said Fielden communicated well with senate.

“I would like for (students) to remember that SGA was an open environment where if you had a question or idea or concern you could come talk to us,” Hurt said.

She thinks that Fielden has done a great job, and said he will be successful no matter what he does.

“He’s really passionate about what he does, and I think that’s evident,” she said. “He is already a hard worker and he really tries to make a difference in the lives of UK students.”

Future plans

Last semester, Fielden also was the president of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He said that was the hardest semester he has ever had.

After graduation, Fielden will be taking a year off to do an internship and then will apply to law school.

Fielden said he will miss “just the whole college feel,” after he graduates, but he is ready.

This summer, Fielden will return to Haiti, where he and his family have been doing service work for most of his life. There he will teach English and meet two new students who will come to UK through the Kentucky Haiti Partnership, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Earlier this year, Fielden was involved with bringing students Pedro Jean-Baptiste and James Blanc to UK from Haiti through the program.

He said it was one of the top moments of the year.

Related link: Aspiring doctors hope to change lives, better communities

Another accomplishment Fielden noted was helping found the National Campus Leadership Council. Fielden currently serves on the executive committee of NCLC, which represents a little more than 2.5 million students.

The council helps facilitate communication among students with policymakers.

“The goal of it is to represent the student opinion to the lawmakers at the White House,” Fielden said.

A humble president

Cox said the position of president and the power and influence that comes with it can often go to presidents’ heads.

“I think the best thing I’ve seen with working with Micah is that it never has,” Cox said. “He continues to, at the end, remain humble.”

From the first time they met, Cox said he has been impressed with Fielden.

“He wants to be a better version of himself,” he said.

Fielden is willing to accept feedback, he said, and asks those around him what he can do better.

“I think that’s a real testament to someone’s character and maturity,” he said.

Cox said he has seen that Fielden has Student Government’s best interest at heart.

“He still is the same person he was a year ago, from the perspective of an everyday student,” Cox said.

The Student Government Senate approved a constitutional amendment last Wednesday that will donate excess money from the budget to the general scholarship fund.

Any funds more than $60,000 from the previous administration will be donated, said SG President Micah Fielden.

“We think the best thing we can do is that if we have extra money,” Fielden said, “we should donate to student scholarships.”

The left over money rolls over to the next administration’s budget. Senate President Annie Tiu said on average, there is a $60,000 turnover from year to year.

“We didn’t want to make it so that we weren’t turning over enough (money), in case there’s a year with unexpected costs,” Tiu said.

By allowing the next year’s administration to have the $60,000, it is enough cushion room in case something happens and the money is needed, she said. Each year the excess money varies from $10,000 to $120,000, Fielden said.

“I don’t like spending money, especially unnecessarily,” he said.

Fielden and Vice President Nikki Hurt have been discussing this for the past few months. Together with the Senate, they worked on a way to do something beneficial with the money.

Tiu said the senators wanted to amend the Constitution so future administrations wouldn’t have too much extra money and make up new programs just to use the budget.

“I just really think it’s good so that new administrations will know every year how much money they are working with,” Tiu said. “As much as I support new student programs, we are going to have an increase of students coming to UK, so there will be an increase of the budget. Just because we have the money, doesn’t mean we need to make up programs for them.”

Fielden said SG is conscious of the money it spends.

“It’s good for people to know that the people who have been elected are being responsible and that we don’t just waste money,” Fielden said. “We don’t do stuff that is inappropriate.”

Other than the scholarship fund, the money can also go to non-student groups, he said.

Tiu said senators decided that the money could remain in SG if there is a larger project that needs the money.

Eight people have to unanimously agree on the project — the president, vice president, senate president and the five members of the summer senate.

“We like that it’s a direct way of giving the money to the students to who it belongs to,” she said. “It takes it out of our hands, it’s not SGA’s (money) … our responsibility is to make sure that money goes back to the students somehow.”

UK President Eli Capilouto sat down with a handful of students Wednesday and discussed the universities’ social media use, the new dorms and UK’s Top 20 Business Plan.

Capilouto talked about how he was impressed with UK head coach John Calipari’s social media use and how he is able to keep all of his followers and fans feel closely involved.

“I feel like an amateur among experts with your generation when it comes to social media,” he said.

Capilouto said he was concerned that some students may damage their image by posting photos or items that others may view as embarrassing. He asked how UK can improve their use of its social media platforms.

Ideas were discussed about how to bridge the distance between faculty and students when it comes to social media.

An idea was brought up that a student run social media workshop for the faculty could be a way to teach the faculty on how to use social media more and even use it in their classrooms.

Social media has brought about new ways to teach and educate, and the use of “distance learning” was brought up and discussed. Distance learning is an alternative way of learning.

The student isn’t in a traditional classroom with a professor, and a course can be completed by getting assignments and completing them on the student’s own time, much like an online course.

Capilouto said he wants to see UK use distance learning more because it helps students finish their curriculum sooner and has been proven to be as effective as traditional learning.

The president also discussed the plans for new campus housing. He pointed out the concerns and logistics that need to be addressed while the new dorms are being built.

These concerns consist of the increase in construction and demolition around campus, along with the lack of “green space” that will be taken up by the new dorms.

The president addressed these issues by telling the students that the current dorms are outdated and UK only has 600 modern beds out of the 6,000 beds that exist, and that 8,500 students apply yearly for those 600 beds.

With these new dorms being built, the old ones will be taken down and turned into green spaces for students to enjoy.

“I thought the discussion about the upcoming dorms and the construction that will come with it was the most important issued talked about tonight,” Brian Garcia, a human nutrition junior, said.

Lastly, Capilouto explained UK’s progress with the Top 20 Business Plan.

By 2020 the state government wants UK to be a top 20 research college, and Capilouto pointed out that he has not seen a lot of structure commitment to this idea by the state government.

Capilouto said that he was not going to make any excuses because he sees UK continuing to grow. He said he is still committed.

He also pointed out that out of more than 3,500 universities, UK is in the top 100 research institutions in the U.S., and that UK has continued to move up the list.

Some factors that go into the rankings of top universities do not meet or deal with UK’s mission and that staying committed to the mission is what UK will continue to do, he said. “I enjoyed how accessible and open the president was tonight,” Garcia said.

Facebook Page: http://go.uky.edu/UKSMWFB

By Emery Mason Campbell

Students, faculty and staff can learn more about social media next week, where events will be held each day about the media.

Student Government is facilitating Social Media Week April 9-13, collaborating with different groups, including the president’s office, Office of Student Involvement and the VIP Center.

Events will be held each day, along with a photography contest, that will help students, faculty and staff use social media to their advantage.

“We want to see a more conscious use of social media so students, faculty and staff can get as much use out of their social media platforms as there is to offer,” said Kyle Snapp, SG deputy of chief communications.

Beginning on Monday there will be several events that discuss how students can make a strong personal online brand and how to avoid personal and societal risks.

Tuesday consists of a Skype presentation with Foursquare co-creator Dennis Crowley and Josh Newman of Mediatavern.

They will discuss how they help their clients build stronger brands, according to an announcement on the College of Communications and Information Studies website.

Students will have the opportunity Tuesday to learn how to use social networks for them and not against them, since employers use social media more and more to screen potential candidates.

Wednesday includes an open and candid discussion with President Eli Capilouto about how social media and technology have an effect on the professional world.

Integrated strategic communications professors will discuss on Thursday how social media is being used in branding, including information from the recent Word of
Mouth Marketing Association national meeting.

“Social media is not just for entertainment, but can help with research, future employment, finding a home in a new area and even networking,” TallyCats Coordinator Katelyn Banks said.

“Ultimate Follow Friday” consists of every department that collaborated with the SG in hosting Social Media Week, tweeting relevant information out about their department and what they are doing.

“SG and their other collaborators hope that all these events will increase social media use throughout campus for students, faculty and staff,” Snapp said.

“We want these events to be not just for students, but for faculty and staff as well,” Banks said. “We want the faculty and staff to feel comfortable coming and participating in these events.”

For more a full list of events, click here. You can also find information on the following websites:
Facebook: facebook.com/UKSocialMediaWeek
Twitter: @UKSocialMediaWk
#UKSocialMedia

The Commonwealth Stadium K Lot parking lots will be off control and available for parking without permits beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 2, through noon on Tuesday, April 3. The C6 (BCTC) will remain on control and require valid C6 parking permits. Free bus service is available between main campus and Commonwealth Stadium. For bus routes and schedules, visit www.uky.edu/pts/buses-and-shuttles_campus-shuttles.