SGA to serve not just lead, says Beaird

An open door policy is how the newly elected Student Government Association President Ryan Beaird plans to run his administration. "We are open to every idea," said Beaird, "even if it's a bad idea, you can pick up points from it and add to it.

"We want to learn from wherever we can and from whoever we can," said Beaird.

The campaign slogan that Beaird and Quan Poole, the VP, used, "Serving by example," is one they plan on using for their entire term.

"SGA should be about the serving, not just the leading," said Beaird. "We want to see new faces in the SGA office everyday."

Though a native of Sikeston, Missouri, Beaird comes from a long line of ASU graduates. "My father came here and my grandfather."

This charismatic, lover of outdoors sports and honor student has always loved to get involved in student organizations, having held 15 titles and been given eight honors awards.

According to his Facebook page, Beaird's interests include technology, BBQ, and Welsh Terriers, and he believes in living everyday like it's Saturday. Well his Saturdays will be pretty full from now on.

A business management major, Beaird would love to go into politics someday. "I want to be established first," said Beaird. "Have a family and be financially stable before I go into politics."

Beaird also belongs to the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (PIKE), a well-established organization on campus.

Beaird considers himself to be a hard worker and someone who is focused on getting things done.

"A lot of things are possible to get done with the right work ethic," said Beaird.

Beaird joined the SGA his freshmen year and knew right away he wanted to one day become SGA president.

"I've wanted this position for so long," said Beaird. "It's was a big goal for myself. I love being involved and informed."

There is controversy over Beaird being president already.

The controversy is over the new amendment that allows students with sixty credits hours to run for SGA president. Beaird was chair of The Student Affairs Committee that gave the proposal, and some students feel there was a hidden agenda on Beaird's part.

But Beaird assures that there was no hidden agenda and that this amendment was not just for him, but also for every junior at ASU and for all those to come.

According to Beaird, if the law wasn't passed, there would only be a few people eligible to run. "It opened the door for a lot of students," said Beaird. "And it promotes democracy."

"It's the students' responsibility to vote who they think is qualified for the job. If a junior who knew nothing was running, they (the student body) wouldn't vote for that person."

Beaird plans to prove he is committed to the students and wants SGA to become an active and vital tool for students.

"We (Beaird and Poole) want to get to know the student body better. Our blog is still up, and Quan and I encourage students to ask questions even if they think we might not know the answer, we'll find out. "With the assistance of my staff, I hope to make SGA the forefront of all organizations," said Beaird. "I have faith that the staff and the senate will get things done."

Beaird plans on really promoting SGA events and projects. "I want the campus to be decorated, I want people to be excited.

"I want senators to talk with their constituents, otherwise they'll vote on personal preference, not what the constituents want.

"I want SGA to sponsor more events," said Beaird. He also wants every student be involved when something that is going on.

"We're planning on doing a lot of good things with PR (public relations)," said Beaird.

When it comes to the school's new mascot, the Red Wolves, Beaird sees this as a great way to promote ASU.

"This is the best marking tool in decades," said Beaird. "We want to spread excitement."

Beaird plans to get SGA involved in any aspect of promotion for the Red Wolves to help increase pride within the student body.

According to Beaird, he and Poole are already prepared to get to work.

One project that Beaird and Poole have already begun work on is new ways of increasing salary for the Student Health Center in order to get more staff and to reopen it's pharmacy.

Lisa Shefelton, Family Nurse Practitioner and the SHC director, has been pushing for more funding for the SHC for years now. Shefelton presented a presentation during the fall of 2006, but it wasn't until this year that a proposal was presented to the SGA.

The Student Affairs Committee gave the proposal on the SHC, making it the second of only two resolutions presented this year.

"Quan did a ton of research on that (SHC) and found out that 70 percent of the students that go to the Student Health Center can't be helped," Beaird said.

Initially the proposed resolution would increase tuition, but Beaird says that he and Poole are still coming up with improvements for the proposal.

Alternatives they have been considering is to use a General Education fund, which pays the salaries of ASU faculty and staff.

"We want to show the Administration and Board of Trustees that this is a problem, and we (the student body) want it fixed.

Because Beaird will only be a junior during his presidency, he'll have the opportunity to run for president again, the question is will he?

"I'll cross that bridge when it comes," said Beaird, who added that if he feels it's time for him to step down once the year is over with, he will.