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Parliamentary Inquiry

Every month our SGA gathers for general session meetings. Each branch or division usually updates the rest of the SGA… or maybe the SGA President updates us on the future of the university. We had our last general session on February 16th and this time was different. It was my turn to take the stage.

The Constitution Committee has been working on making changes to the SGA Constitution — changes that require a vote usually conducted at this meeting. As the committee chair, I get to propose the changes and facilitate the discussion and voting.

Overall, I proposed four major changes. One of which was controversial enough to provoke discussion that lasted over 30 minutes and included a written statement.

This was my first-ever experience conducting a large meeting; furthermore, there were more than 35 people in the audience and many of them had something to say. Before the meeting, I had convinced myself of no outcome. I knew that things would either go slow or fast, be debated on or ignored, approved or not. However, nothing could have prepared me for this kind of public speaking occasion. I had to be very focused and respectful. I had to use parliamentary procedure like nobody’s business. I had to count votes and declare the outcome.

It took me nearly a day to recover. I was drained from the entire ordeal, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Some lessons learned are: to prepare well, then prepare some more, and plan for the unexpected. Prepare.

In the end, the most controversial change did not pass. I’m not upset with with the outcome. Nor am I upset with myself and how I guided the meeting. It’s quite possible that we’ll reintroduce it next month. Or maybe the month after. Either way, I’ll be better prepared.

Good Listening: DAB Tower

One of my buddies went flying out of Daytona Beach airport last week. After hearing his stories of the overly busy ground controller and the local controller in training, I had to download the air traffic control recording.

There is a lot to be learned by listening to someone who is learning… Listen to how the controller-in-training works with pilots and pay attention to when his trainer helps him out.

Attached is a 30 minute clip of the 7R local controller from LiveATC:
DAB Tower (Secondary), Feb 9th, 2011, 16:30z-16:59z

I recommend fast forwarding about 19 minutes into the recording.

Dr. Oxley speaks on Integrity & Honor

Yesterday was awesome: classes were great, my student instructor position in AT315 is getting better (as I slowly get more comfortable teaching), and my constitution committee meeting was wickedly involved.

Anyways, I’d rather focus on today… I have had a seriously packed day. My school day included: working in the Student Activities office, a quiz in Thunderstorms class, office work in SGA to prep for our Student Representative meeting, review of the Student Representative meeting, working with the IT department for the SGA website to figure out the mySQL database access, discussion in Technology in Modern Culture class, followed by discussion on Integrity & Honor for NSCS, and then a conference call for AFICU in April. Today was packed.

Regardless of what I did today, I want to talk about the NSCS meeting with Dr. Oxley that focused on Integrity and Honor.

Wow, Dr. Oxley did a good job. Before we start: define integrity.

Furthermore, define honor.

… hard huh? I defined integrity as an overall respect for yourself and others while honor was a solid respect for other people. Boy was I off.

Dr. Oxley related the importance of integrity towards the end of our discussion, “Honor comes from your social groups… so pick them wisely. Integrity comes from within.” And was he right. Honor is relative to the culture you are in; Integrity is specific to you. Be respectful to yourself and the values you know to be true; that is what I now define integrity.

A scenario: Your plane crashes on a remote island. You eventually meet with the local inhabitants whom greatly respect you. In honor of your presence, the group hosts a ceremony in which a young girl will be sacrificed. And you, as the honored guest, shall yield the knife to kill her. Their honor culture is to give you the gift of killing a young girl. What do you do?

One of many important parts in today’s great discussion was that honor is incredibly culture-based. Every culture will have a different idea of honor and how to uphold it because honor is based on the environment you are in. Integrity is different. Integrity involves you and your values… and how well you can stay true to them.

So, if you answered the previous scenario saying that you would not kill the young girl. Why?

How would you stop it from happening?

What if the native inhabitants say, “If you won’t kill her, then we’ll sacrifice you?” … how strong are your values? Your integrity? At what point will you give in?

I must go now — but before I do, let me end with personal thoughts:

Respect is key. I mean that respect for other students, faculty, staff, and buildings is key.

Remember to respect those around you.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail with questions or concerns.

Regards,

Alton(Joe)Anderson   386-334-3939   andersa1@my.erau.edu

Integrity Week and Invitation Season

It’s invitation time! The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) has sent 300 invitation packets to high-achieving freshman and sophomores at Embry – Riddle. To join NSCS you must have at least a 3.4 GPA and be at the top 20% of your class.

Last Thursday NSCS held its first formal meeting of the semester in COB268.  We got together to welcome the newest invitees, and let them know how we operate at Embry-Riddle.  This informational session turned out quite well, and was followed by a reception catered by the always popular Jimmy John’s.

The following Friday the executive board and around fifteen members gathered at the Chili’s on International Speedway for food, friends, and great times.  This is just the beginning of an energy filled next week for NSCS.

This week the National Society of Collegiate Scholars is recognizing, promoting, and celebrating technology through several events starting tonight:

• Tue 2/8 – Integrity Discussion Night Featuring Dr. Robert Oxley in COB118 at 6:00PM (food served)
• Thu 2/10 – Integrity Banner signing and Survey on the Flight Deck in the UC 11:15-1:30PM
• Fri 2/11 – Integrity Day BBQ on the West Lawn 5:30

So we hope students, faculty, and staff will come out to join us in supporting integrity this week, personally, professionally, and academically.

NSCS revolves around academic integrity and is founded on three pillars: scholarship, leadership, and service. The Embry – Riddle chapter works hard to promote personal, campus, and community growth through programs such as Planning to Achieve Collegiate Excellence (PACE).

NSCS is an honor society that works hard for its members. One of the most incredible benefits that NSCS offers is its access to exclusive scholarships: almost $250,000 in scholarships to members each year! Other benefits include amazing leadership opportunities, networking possibilities, career development programs, and discounts with over 50 business partners. NSCS’ member fee is only $75 for lifetime membership.

Still have questions? Visit www.nscs.org or contact AJ Woods via e-mail woodsa@my.erau.edu or phone (206)-304-2185.

Track our meetings and events on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nscs.erau

 

End-of-Year Report

I have started working on my SGA End-of-Year Report.

I see this report as something to pass onto the next College of Aviation Representative, the next Constitution Committee Chair, and the next Parliamentarian.

This year has brought many firsts for the committee, the parliamentarian positions, and for me! I have a lot to share.

Just wait for this report. Keep your eyes wide open.

Air Traffic Department: New Mentor Program

We are lucky to be enrolled in Embry-Riddle’s air traffic control program: state-of-the-art simulators and excellent professors with copious amounts of experience. Having said that, our program is now more enhanced. With the help of air traffic controllers at Orlando-Sanford tower, a new option has been added to the Advanced Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower class. Announced last week by Professors Lauth and Rinkinen, the program will make it easier for students to coordinate a job shadow in a real ATC facility. The professors have coordinated five days each week that a student can choose to visit the Federal Aviation control tower..

Realistically, any US citizen with photo ID can take an ATC facility tour. The difference this program offers is that students who already have a good knowledge base will be able to experience a full work sshift with an active controller. Students will leave the facility with a better understanding of ATC and the environment that controllers work in – it can be a shock if you haven’t been there before.

Experiencing the environment first-hand will also reinforce long-term goals and invigorate our already-dedicated students. Joe Anderson, an air traffic student, commented on the new program, “I’ve visited many air traffic facilities and every single one has been different. The experience I received from interacting and watching the controllers was invaluable.” This is an outstanding opportunity that professors and students alike are excited to be a part of.

The optional program will have some limitations: it is only available to students enrolled in the Advanced ATC Tower (AT415) class, it is only available when the controllers at Orlando-Sanford are available, students can only shadow one day, and you have to provide your own transportation. Ryan Billings, an air traffic student, commented that every opportunity is a good opportunity, “It might be only one day, but that’s still great experience regardless. Not everyone can coordinate a full eight hour job shadow.”

To the Orlando-Sanford controllers and Embry-Riddle professors: Thanks for all of your hard work in starting this program. The students truly appreciate your enthusiasm.