Jermyn's Platform [« Home ]

Fellow Students,

My platform is representative of the immediate problems our university faces, but also presents a plan for the future. I have tried to remain as straight-forward and honest as possible, and have included a realistic time frame for the accomplishment of these goals.

My being an active member of our campus community has helped me come up with a plan of action that I believe is comprehensive and one that everyone can identify with.

If you have questions about any of the points listed on my platform, do not hesitate to e-mail me (davijm6@wfu.edu) or Instant Message me on AIM (JDavis1839).

Jermyn

Academics [« Home ]

Many students have been in classes in which professor have not given a graded assignment until after the final drop date. As a result, students can potentially get stuck in a class they otherwise would have dropped. Jermyn proposes that in addition to the original drop date, students have an additional two days to drop a course after they receive a grade on a primary assignment that is worth greater than 15% of their overall grade in the course. Jermyn will achieve this by working with the Registrar, Mrs. Dot Sugden, the Dean of the College, Dean Best, and members of the Faculty Senate.

Currently, students who graduate without honors are not permitted to have their particular degree listed on their diploma. Instead, they receive a generic "Bachelor of Arts" or "Bachelor of Science" degree. Jermyn feels that every student should be rewarded by having their major included on their diploma. Jermyn will work with the student trustee, the Board of Trustees, and the Registrar to implement this change.

The Writing Center is not open during finals week--a time when many students need the Center’s assistance most. Jermyn will work with the Writing Center director to establish times during finals week when the Writing Center would be open to students.

Wake Forest offers a wide variety of inter-disciplinary minors that can prove beneficial in supplementing a student's major field of study. However, many of these minors go largely unnoticed due to a lack of information circulated about their availability and their requirements. Jermyn will work with department chairs and the directors of minor programs to make these fields more visible and more attractive options for students.

Academics Pt. 2 [« Home ]

Jermyn believes Wake Forest should hire more professors to maintain its small classroom sizes. One of the most attractive characteristics of Wake Forest is its low faculty-to-student ratio. With a future enrollment increase, it is critical that Wake Forest maintain its small classroom sizes. Jermyn desires Wake Forest to maintain its rich tradition of personal student-professor interactions.

The Academic Committee, over the past year, has worked extremely hard to implement this change. This change will enable students to have a fairer opportunity at selecting their classes by giving them alternating times (i.e. first week of registration at 3 PM but in the second week at 9 AM). This plan is almost complete and Jermyn will work in collaboration with Information Systems and the Registrar to make reversible registration a reality.

Both prospective and current students gain access to critical information about major fields and faculty members by researching departmental websites. However, students miss out on vital pieces of information when these websites are not maintained. Jermyn, along with the SG Academic and PR Committees, will work with department heads to make sure their websites are welcoming and informative and include all current and pertinent information.

Athletics [« Home ]

The athletic department and SG handled ticket distribution well this past year; however, Jermyn will work to develop a system in which every student is guaranteed a ticket. If every student is not guaranteed a ticket, Jermyn will work hard to make sure that the system of distribution is well-publicized and explained.

Wake Forest is lucky to have many great athletic teams. Unfortunately, our teams are not equally supported by Demon Deacon sports fans. Jermyn will work with members of sports marketing division to ensure that Deacon fans are well represented at all sporting events.

Due in large part to our renowned fan support, Demon Deacon athletic teams enjoy one of the best environments for collegiate sports in the entire country. Jermyn wants the University to develop a way to maintain this atmosphere among students even when the games are played away from campus. Jermyn will work with Student Government and Sports Marketing to create a venue which would allow students to enjoy prime-time away games just as much as home events. Jermyn's proposal includes turning either the Annenburg Forum in Carswell Hall or Shorty's into a viewing room for these events.

The launch of the Deacon Express, a shuttle system that took students to and from home games, was a success. Jermyn wants the Deacon Express available for every home game.

Jermyn will attend SAAC meetings once a month in an effort to improve communication between athletes and the broader campus community.

Communication [« Home ]

Jermyn will attend IFC, Pan-Hellenic, and NPHC meetings once a month to stay informed of current Greek affairs and general student issues. Jermyn will also make efforts to attend the meetings of other student organizations to maintain open lines of communication between all members of the Wake community.

Jermyn will publish a bi-weekly column in the OGB to ensure that students are kept up to date on current Student Government affairs. Jermyn also plans to maintain open lines of communication by posting information on The Student and making frequent appearances on Wake TV.

Jermyn will ask President Hatch and Provost Tiefenthaler to attend forums, open to all students, during which they can answer questions about issues important to students.

Jermyn will host roundtables with various student leaders twice a month to gain a better understanding of the issues that are important to students.

Jermyn will request that one RA per staff serve as a liaison between SG and residence hall staff to ensure important information is being relayed throughout the university.

Communication Pt. 2 [« Home ]

At the end of every half-semester term, Jermyn pledges to distribute surveys to the entire student body to get feedback on Student Government’s performance to make certain that SG is meeting the needs of students.

Jermyn will keep a blog to inform students of his and SG's work.

Jermyn will work with University administrators to ensure that forum times are held during hours that accommodate student schedules. Jermyn believes it is essential that students are permitted access to these forums as important University decisions are debated and discussed at them.

Jermyn will ensure that TV screens displaying important University announcements are strategically placed throughout Benson Center and other high-traffic locations.

Community [« Home ]

Jermyn will work with Wake Forest's arts community to expose the broader campus community to students' unique talents by hosting concerts and exhibitions in visible and unusual locations such as Manchester Plaza.

Although many students engage in community service work in both the domestic and international arenas, Jermyn will work closely with Dean Gillespie, Associate Provost and Director of the Pro Humanitate Center, and Brighid Jensen, Director of the Volunteer Service Corp, to encourage students to take a more active role in the Winston-Salem community.

Jermyn will work with Wake TV executives to give our artists greater exposure by publicizing their concerts and exhibitions on Wake TV.

Jermyn believes in students' abilities to develop, implement, and independently govern their own startup businesses. To this end, Jermyn will work closely with administrators to create greater incentives for students to cultivate their entrepreneurial talents on campus.

Dining Services [« Home ]

Although administrators are in negotiations to keep the Magnolia room open for dinner service, Jermyn will push hard to ensure this becomes a reality. Jermyn will also work with Aramark to extend the hours in which the Pit would be open for dinner and would encourage Benson to remain open, with all food choices available, until the posted closing times.


Jermyn will work with Campus Grounds management to ensure it remains competitive when Starbucks arrives. Jermyn will encourage students to visit Campus Grounds and Shorty’s.

The North Campus Sundry is very expensive and is rarely visited by students. Jermyn will work with Assistant Vice President, Jim Alty, in an effort to turn the North Campus Sundry into a small bar. This would provide a great addition to social life on campus for both Greeks and non-Greeks. Jermyn also envisions the Sundry being used as an independent lounge space where any student can host an event.

Jermyn would work with Aramark to try to extend the hours in which the All-In-One meal plan can be used. Many students do not use their meal plan, especially those students who reside in Polo and Student Apartments. Jermyn would propose that students in Polo and Student Apartments be allowed to opt out of purchasing a meal plan (LT and ST). Additionally, Jermyn will work with Aramark to have more vegan and vegetarian options included in lunch and dinner menus (Pit).

Tuition and Fees [« Home ]

Tuition is a necessity in the operation of Wake Forest. It is also imperative that our university raise tuition each year. However, Jermyn would like for the University to consider the idea of tuition freezing. Jermyn would work with the Student Trustee to see if this is an option for our university. There are many schools that have established some form of tuition freezing. (http://www.finaid.org/questions/tuitionfreeze.phtml)


Jermyn firmly believes that students should not be punished for choosing to study abroad on non-Wake programs. Currently, students who chose to study abroad on non-Wake programs are charged the program’s tuition in addition to an enrollment fee (calculated at 12% of semester WFU tuition). Jermyn recognizes the importance of maintaining high enrollment in our university-sponsored programs; however, students should not be forced to pay any Wake Forest tuition if not participating in a Wake Forest program.

Diversity (LT and ST) [« Home ]

Greek Issues [« Home ]

Jermyn will lead collaborative efforts with the Inter-Fraternity Council, the Pan-Hellenic Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and independent student groups. A large majority of this work would take place with Jermyn’s roundtable discussions.

Jermyn will work to find solutions to remedy the declining relationship between Greeks and University administration. He will work with Greek governing councils to mend this relationship and make sure that their voices are heard.

Jermyn will work with IFC and university administrators to help alleviate Fraternity fears about having parties on campus. Jermyn is not doing this as a means to promote underage drinking, but as a way to create a much SAFER way for students enjoy parties.

Judicial Reform [« Home ]

Based on his experience as an RA, Jermyn will work Dean Holmes and Dean Cerutti to make the Alcoholic Paraphernalia distinction more clear.

Although Residence Life has made the commitment to review the antiquated policy on visitation, Jermyn will work to make sure that this policy is changed before the start of the 2008-2009 school year.

Parking & Transportation [« Home ]

Jermyn has researched parking fees at Wake and at other peer institutions. What he uncovered was disturbing. Our university is the only school which does not offer students transportation to and from the downtown area. This makes having a vehicle a necessity. Increases in parking fees also make having a vehicle on-campus more expensive. Jermyn will work with the Student Trustee and Board of Trustees to lower the parking fee.

Jermyn will work with Parking Management to reduce the overall number of tickets a person can receive in one day. In addition, Jermyn will work with Parking Management to implement a system whereby a student is contacted as a safety precaution if their car has accumulated a number of tickets.

Jermyn will work with Campus Police and Parking Management to try to abolish the 24 hour reserved lots. Most faculty and staff members are not here past 5:00 or on weekends. Those parking spots can be used for students.

Commuter students often state that it takes longer to find a parking space than it does to drive from their home. Jermyn will work with Chief of Police, Regina Lawson, to improve campus parking for everyone, but especially for commuter students.

In an effort to reduce the parking congestion, Jermyn seeks to implement a shuttle system which transports students to and from the surrounding apartment complexes.

Residence Life [« Home ]

Because there is no Fraternity Row, Jermyn would work with Residence Life to provide fraternities and sororities access to their suites 24 hours a day.

As an RA and a member of the Judicial Branch of Student Government, Jermyn has seen many students reprimanded for unauthorized parties. However, authorized areas for parties on campus are non-existant. Jermyn will work with Vice President of Student Life, Dr. Kenneth Zick, RL&H Director, Dr. Donna McGalliard and other administrators to help create a space that students can use to host special events.

For freshman to share the same experience, they must be housed together. Freshmen housed in Palmer and Piccolo, upon arrival to Wake Forest, are segregated from both fellow freshmen and the rest of the Wake Forest community. Jermyn believes Palmer and Piccolo would be ideal for Theme or Greek housing.

There are general improvements that could enhance residence life. First, facility staff should make sure that soap dispensers stay full. Second, facility management should provide softer tissue for students. Third, facility management should be sure that students have an adequate supply of paper towels. Lastly, facility management should be sure that heating and cooling systems are set appropriately, especially during season changes.

Recreation Center [« Home ]

The University has recognized the need for new student recreational facilities. Jermyn will continue his work on the University Committee on Building to ensure that the desires and needs of students are taken into consideration in the planning of the new recreation center.

While the new Recreation Center is being constructed, there are immediate problems that need to be rectified. Jermyn will support the changes made by an ad-hoc committee on improving the current Miller Center. Click here for the SG Miller Center Recommendations.

Student Groups [« Home ]

Over the past year, the University has refused to give the Student Budget Advisory Committee more money. Jermyn wants to work with the incoming and outgoing SG Treasurer to determine ways to get more funding for our student groups. If we cannot get more funding, Jermyn will solicit outside organizations to assist in the funding of our student groups.

In many cases, student leaders are forced to cover expenses such as gasoline and plane tickets out of pocket. Jermyn wants to make it possible for students leaders to have access to a university debit or credit card which would allow access to SBAC funds.

Safety Issues [« Home ]

Jermyn will make the path safer by adding more lights along walking trails and installing more emergency blue light boxes.

Jermyn will work with Jim Alty to improve the lighting on the fringes of campus. Jermyn will work hard to help get lighting for areas such as Student Apartments and the Phi Mu townhouses.

Senior Class of 2009 [« Home ]

Jermyn will appoint one Senior Representative who will serve as Student Government Correspondent to both alumni, friends, and Student Union. This senior will also part of the group responsible for leading the Senior Campaign and helping plan Senior Day.

As one of the co-chairs of last year’s "Class of the Finest," a senior event which offers an alternative to the Senior Fifth, Jermyn would make sure next year’s celebration is even better by making sure it is publicized more effectively.

If Student Union is willing, Jermyn and Student Government will work in conjunction with Student Union to construct a SAF proposal that would bring a well-known figure to speak on campus in honor of our seniors. This would be something the entire student body could enjoy.

Strategic and Master Plans [« Home ]

Communication Pt. 3 [« Home ]

Jermyn will go to great lengths to inform all students about SG elections and opportunities for appointments in an effort to make certain that all segments of the student population are represented.

Jermyn will make available a list of SG legislators on the SG website. This list will be categorized by last name and classification so that constituents are more easily able to contact their respective legislators.

Student and Social Life [« Home ]

Greek parties, for a number of students, play a large role in their social lives. It is important to Jermyn that we make every effort to bring parties back to campus. Jermyn would work with IFC and university administrators to help alleviate fraternity fears about having parties on campus. Jermyn wants a substantially SAFER, more convenient way for students to enjoy parties.

With firsthand knowledge of what life is like as a transfer student, Jermyn wants to enhance the overall experience of Wake's transfer students. Jermyn will propose that transfer students be housed in close proximity, so that they may serve as a support system for one another.

A major goal of the University is to become a crossroads for the exploration and debate of important local, national, and global issues. Jermyn feels that this can only be accomplished by attracting highly acclaimed speakers to campus for commencement, lecture-series, and graduation activities. Jermyn will work closely with the Office of the President and will petition student groups to present SAF proposals, in order to ensure that Wake Forest attracts speakers of the highest caliber.

Sustainability @ WFU [« Home ]

It is important to Jermyn that we work in protecting and sustaining our University. Below are things Jermyn believes he can do in Wake Forest’s quest to become a more eco-friendly campus:

1) Paint receptacles different colors to make clear what types of waste go in each container.

2) Urge University to install motion sensors (automatic cutoffs) in classrooms and offices.

3) Making sure that facility management staff install only compact flourescent light bulbs in rooms.

Technology & Resources [« Home ]

It is fair to say that most of us have been disappointed by our Thinkpads. Many students' computers have been the cause of many headaches and bad days. When the current IBM contract expires, Jermyn would like to work with Information Systems, particularly the CIO, to select a new computer manufacturer or give students the option to choose the computer they would like (similar to the Cavalier Computer System @ UVA).

Jermyn will work with the Director of the Library, Lynn Sutton, and Information Systems to get more power strips in the library and Tribble.

Your 50 free library printouts should be available at the copiers in the library. Jermyn wants the copies or prints you don't use rolled over to the next semester. More importantly, Jermyn will work to increase the 50 free prints to a minimum of 100.

Wake Forest’s webmail is antiquated and needs a complete overhaul. Jermyn will work with Information Systems to allow students access to a new webmail system. This system would allow students to access their entire e-mail account.

Multiple printing locations around campus would make life much easier for students. Jermyn will work with Information Systems to install printers in various locations such as Benson and academic buildings.