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The Student Government Association at UNCA does the majority of its work in committees. The Student Affairs Committee is the one that works on student concerns, issues and problems.

This semester Student Affairs has tried to tackle the new Card-Access system to gain entry into the dorms. They are also currently addressing the administration's attempt to ban smoking on campus and working on a Student's Bill of Rights.

Another recent endeavor is the "BIG CARD FOR A BIG MAN" campaign. Here are details on each issue, and why we need your help.

Security on campuses around the country has become a mammoth concern, with good reason. We all agree that we should do whatever possible to prevent those tragedies from happening at our school, but at what point are we doing too much?

The Housing Office and upper levels of the administration responded to the need for better security with recommendations handed down from the top of the UNC system. That is why last year the doors to residence halls were locked with a keypad entry-system.

This year, they have upgraded to an automatic system that recognizes residents. This is an amazing use of technology and an improvement over last year's physical locks.

When I was freshman we were mostly free to roam about the dorms, and it was fun to meet other people that I normally saw on the quad. As I understand it, this aspect of college is fairly restricted.

The question is, how do you, the students, feel about this? Is that bit of security worth the hassle? Is it even a hassle?

I'm sure some of you feel more strongly than others, but unless you tell your Student Government how you feel, the administration will continue to make decisions without you.

More recently, the administration has moved to ban smoking anywhere within the University Heights loop (leaving only the designated smoking areas beside the dorms).

We have heard concern about smoking in front of building walkways, but a general consensus that other places are not inhibitive (beside the library, on the quad, etc.)

But this decision to completely ban smoking anywhere near classes is impolitic. Tobacco is a horrible substance, but that doesn't mean people who don't smoke have the right to control another's liberty.

Our country is based on liberty, freedom, creative expression, and personal rights. How does that famous cliché go? "I disagree with what you have to say but I support your right to say it?"

We need to find a compromise and are working with administration to find that.

The Student Affairs committee has created a survey to measure students feelings on the Card-Access system. Your input could very well determine whether or not the 10 p.m. restriction can at least be pushed back.

Administrators need to know how you feel about more security on campus. Please come by the Student Government office, look out for people with clipboards in the next few weeks and ask your RA. Even if you are not a smoker, please contribute your opinion and let all us students stand together in order to be heard.

If you are interested, there is a petition on the door of SGA. Alternatively, e-mails about either of these issues may be sent to Alex Bumgardner at awbumgar@unca.edu. You could also check out Facebook for a UNCA Students for a Fair Smoking Policy.

Also, please support Kenny George! We all know getting hurt is not fun, so let's try and cheer him up and show that UNCA takes care of its own.

The "Big Card" is on the wall by the Student Government office in High smith, but the Student Affairs committee will be tabling in the next few weeks. Any group or department that would like to prepare something special for him is welcome to contribute.

Thanks a lot!

Alex Bumgardner

Senior Senator

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