Undergraduate Student Government - BAN

USG is hosting an event in conjunction with F.Y.E dedicated to addressing aggressive panhandling. The event will be a good way to learn about how to deal with panhandlers as well as how to help the situation of homelessness. City officials will be speaking at the event including Erika Jones, Director of Homeless Advocacy, and Council member Andrew Ginther. The Panhandling Discussion is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18th at 5:30pm in Jennings Hall 0040.

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"Breaking with both the House and the Obama administration, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee unveiled a draft financial regulatory overhaul Tuesday that would consolidate federal regulatory authority over financial institutions."

Article brings up advantages to using college health insurance even if already covered on parents' plan.

The House of Representatives will vote on health insurance reform tomorrow. All signs point to it being incredibly close, possibly even coming down to a single vote. See the BAN links on the left of this page for contact info for your representative. ( Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH-15) (202) 225-2015)

“The Blue Jackets are good for Columbus and have a positive economic impact on our city. They help create jobs and serve as a real and powerful economic stimulus for Columbus,” said Mayor Coleman. “While we will not use city tax dollars from our general operating fund that are dedicated for basic city services, the public and private sectors should explore options that keep them in Columbus.”

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State looking to create legislation to crack down on towing operators who lurk around parking lots.

Issue 3 constitutionally allows for casinos in Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo and Cleveland. the casino developers promise that Columbus will benefit, not regret it.

Southwest Columbus city schools will be able to restore extra-curricular activities due to the passage of Issue 47.

HB 333: "Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergency Act". USG would like to encourage you to read the bill and write your opinions to legislators (links on side menu).

The Create Columbus Commission, a group of young volunteers working to improve life in our city, is asking residents and people who work and play in our community to share their opinions with the “What I Love About Columbus” database.

Student Forum on the STOP Program: Local enforcement officials will come to OSU for a forum on Campus Alcohol Enforcement and the STOP program. The goal is to find out how students are feeling about the programs. The forum will be held on Thursday, Oct 29 at 6:30p in Hitchcock 0031. They encourage students to come and bring friends to help enrich the program.

Mayor Coleman and Columbus City Council President announced the Columbus Reform Accountability Committee. The committee will be charged with monitoring the progress of the Columbus 10-Year Reform and Efficiency Action Plan, which is expected to save between $100 million and $150 million over the next decade. The committee will report annually on the city’s progress in meeting the city’s efficiency goals, which include new approaches to public safety reforms, management and tech and strategic partnerships.

"The City of Columbus continues to partner with the federal government to obtain every possible dollar to fund our public safety forces. Ordinance 1166-2009 allows the City to accept a $12,742,800 Community Oriented Police Services (COPS) grant through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding for this award is for 50 officer positions. There will be officer costs not eligible for federal funding.”

House supports bill to overhaul student loan program by removing private lenders and providing loans directly from the government. The bill plans to increase the Pell Grant by $1,400 to $6,900 and providing loans to more students. Lawmakers are split on the issue, with critics claiming it won't save as much as suggested and noting that private lenders would then suffer some job losses from the change.

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The economic recession appears to have correlation with higher default rate on student loans. The default rate has raised from 4.3% in 2005 to 6.0% in 2007 for public school attendees.

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Issue 3 regards an amendment which calls for one full-service, first-class casino within each of the cities of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo with plan to create jobs and provide millions to Ohio cities and schools. It has been certified by the Secretary of State to appear on the November ballot. *** See the documents tab to the left for literature.

"Students at the state's community colleges and regional campuses will no longer be eligible for up to $2,496 in state aid through OCOG. Qualifying students at four-year public universities can only get $1,008 annually now. Students at private, nonprofit colleges are still eligible for the full $2,496."

"The hardware platform secured through several vendors .. will allow the University System of Ohio to avoid $2.2 million in costs needed to maintain separate hardware throughout the state, as well as reduce power consumption by 50 percent."