TSG apportions money for SEPTA token giveaway, plans to inform students

When the fall semester rolls around, some students will be able to save themselves the money – and hassle – of buying SEPTA tokens to take a ride on the subway. They may just learn something, too.

As promised in TU Nation’s, Temple Student Government’s executive ticket, campaign last spring, TSG will be implementing a new program in which students who “register” on its website will be eligible for free SEPTA tokens.

Colin Saltry, student body president, said in an email that the organization had a surplus of more than $10,000 at the end of last semester. This money, he said, is being used to “invest in office upgrades and equipment as well as supplies and promotional materials,” and to buy 1,500 tokens for the semester.

On a given weekend, the organization will distribute 50 sets of 2-tokens to the first 50 registered students who show up to the giveaway.

But registering isn’t just about getting free SEPTA Tokens.

Saltry said the point in having students register is actually to inform them and allow them to advocate for Temple.

By registering, Saltry said, the students’ information will be used to sign them up for TU Alerts, used by the university to communicate with students during emergencies, and for TALON, Temple Advocates Legislative Outreach Network.

Who knew that signing up for a free ride out of North Philly could simultaneously mean becoming more aware and involved with the university?

Will you be signing up for the free tokens?

Tickets for 2011 TSG Elections Announced

TU Nation and Owl Future will be facing off in the 2011 TSG elections.

Both campaigns took full advantage of the web and went live at midnight to announce their candidacy. TU Nation has already launched a Twitter Facebook and website, while Owl Future has only launched a Facebook with plans to officially launch their website and other social media in the morning.

TU Nation (left to right) Colin Saltry, Elliot Griffin, Ugo Obilo

On the ticket for TU Nation are Colin Saltry, Senate President for TSG, candidate for TSG President; Elliot Griffin, Vice President of Temple College Democrats, candidate for Vice President of External Affairs; and Ugo Obilo, President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, candidate for Vice President of Services.

Owl Future

On Owl Future’s ticket are Malcolm M. Kenyatta, who ran last year under the Owls United ticket will be the candidate for President of TSG; Megan Chialastri, President of Temple College Democrats, candidate for Vice President of Services; and Amanda Miller, candidate for Vice President of External Affairs.

Elections will be held April 5th and 6th.

Pennsylvania students rally at capitol

Students from Temple, the University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln University and Penn State University came together today to rally the support of state politicians for state funding.

Joining under PASS, the Pennsylvania Association of State-related Students, students lined the stairwell in the rotunda of the Capitol building in Harrisburg at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Throughout the Rally for Higher Education, students took turns taking the podium to share personal stories, sing, or begin chants.

Temple Student Government’s, the organizing body behind Temple’s participation in PASS and the rally, Student-body President Natalie Ramos-Castillo made an address at the beginning of the rally. Ramos-Castillo was joined by the leaders of the student governments from the other three state-related schools, as well.

The total number of students appeared to be around 250 students.

State representatives occasionally walked by, while others stopped to take notice of the rally.

Former Philadelphia Mayor and Temple alum John F. Street was in attendance for quite some time, wearing a Temple hat and watching the rally unfold.

The “T for Temple U” chant and a rehearsed “I believe, I believe, I believe that we need funds,” song were two of the chants used a number of times to entice the crowd.

The rally ended at approximately 1:45 p.m.

Check back on temple-news.com for a longer, web-exclusive article and a photo slideshow.