Walker gives State of the School address

After opening his speech jokingly about the potential elephant on campus, SGA President R.B. Walker quickly got to business, delivering his State of the School address Thursday night to a joint session of SGA Senate and First Year Council members.

In his speech, Walker highlighted increased funding for the Student Legal Clinic by $4,000, the addition of wireless Internet to the Quad, the first publication of a UA student newsletter, re-evaluating Bamamail and bringing student opinion into the debate over bar closing hours as some of the accomplishments in the past year.

"I could not be more proud of our accomplishments thus far, but tonight is not about reviewing our successes," Walker said. "Tonight is a reminder that though we have met our goals, and gone on to surpass them, there is still so much left to be done."

A few of the goals Walker mentioned included making the Crimson Promenade wireless, eliminating the sales tax on textbooks, having front yard parking allowed on game days, protecting student tickets in Bryant-Denny's stadium expansion, changing the way Homecoming is run and the addition of a Student Bill of Rights.

"From day one, I have asserted that one of our top priorities should be the expansion of technological resources on campus. As the American workforce changes, technological skills become more and more important every year," Walker said. "As one of the nation's finest public universities we have an obligation to prepare students for this changing world."

Other than technological advancements, sales tax on students' textbooks is something Walker said he would also like to see changed.

"We will also expand upon the hard work that has already been done in lowering the cost of all textbooks in this state," Walker said. "Students spend roughly $900 on textbooks per year, making up approximately 20 percent of tuition at the average public university. We are tired of paying this tax on our education."

Walker closed his speech by encouraging state legislators to take action on their plans.

"This is a time for student leaders to step up, this is a time for us all to come together to better the lives of those who have elected us to serve," Walker said.

Graduate Sen. Rebecca-Rose Lutonsky said she thinks Walker's accomplishments exemplify his commitment to the job.

"It shows he has done a lot of work and is truly effective for student needs, such as football tickets and making sure our voice is heard," Lutonsky said. "I think R.B. has been a very effective and dedicated president."

Sen. Joesph Fine, a sophomore majoring in history, said he agrees.

"He had good points, he definitely looks out for our interests," Fine said.

Other SGA members such as Jesse Heifner, a freshman majoring in political science and member of the First Year Council, were not as fond of Walker's address.

"He tries to up-play what little has been done. Through his speech, more of the same things from last year are to come," Heifner said.

Executive Vice-President Madeline Barter said she does not look at the same accomplishments in the same way as Heifner.

"That's an interesting way to look at it, because I feel were trying to accomplish as much as we can as student leaders for our fellow students," Barter said. "I think [Walker] has an amazing amount of dedication to his job."

After the State of the School address, the SGA senate passed a resolution encouraging Midtown Village's Barnes and Noble to accept Bama Cash for students' convenience. Wednesday was also announced as school-wide Meet Your Senator Day, so students can better know their SGA representatives.