Getting the Student Senate name out to students is what Cole D. Rogers, the Student Senate’s Student Relations Committee chair, is focusing on in his fourth semester on the Student Government.

When Rogers arrived on campus in the fall of 2004, he knew he wanted to be involved. He was attracted to the Student Government, but it wasn’t easy getting started.

“(Student Body President) Ryan Berger actually lost my application,” Rogers said. “I called to check on it, and then filled out another one.”

As chair of the Student Relations Committee, Rogers has many responsibilities. Recognized Student Organizations need his approval to become an official group, he notifies students of their bill of rights and approves all on-campus surveys.

Rogers said the misconception that the Student Government is boring is one that bothers him.

“(The Student Government) is actually a place for them to voice their concerns.”

Rogers has served on the Tuition and Fees Committee, the Internal Affairs Committee and the Student Relations Committee, working as chairs of all three.

“If you take the initiative, you can move up very fast,” he said.

Rogers has passed out a student awareness survey and is currently working on the money for the Big Red Dot Campaign.

The Big Red Dot Campaign is an idea aimed to appear all over campus, and Rogers is working on getting all the money for the posters for the campaign as well. The campaign idea is for students to become aware of the Student Government.

“It is focused along the lines of the smile-face with Wal-Mart,” Rogers said. “We would like for the red dot to be associated with (the) Student Senate.”

Rogers also said he would like to see more feedback from students and more people at the meetings.

One meeting sticks out in Rogers’ mind because a concern was brought up to the senate.

“A girl came in last year with concerns about not being able to use her card for meals at any time,” Rogers said. “Soon after that, Mark Hudson (director of Housing and Dining) worked for (improving the system) and then got a two-hour gap between meals.”

Rogers said it’s easier for the Student Government to provide for its students when the organization is presented with an idea.

He also participates in the Education Scholars, the Student Action Team and just got involved with the College Democrats.

“Everything he works (on) is for the students,” said Student Senate Speaker Sean Anderson. “He will go far and accomplish whatever he wants. He will be very successful with whatever he does.”

Eric Glenn, the senate public relations coordinator, also sees many positive attributes in Rogers.

“He is outgoing, energetic and gets stuff done,” Glenn said. “He brings a general care for the students.”

Once he gets his bachelor’s degree in education, Rogers sees many things in his future.

“Because of my major, I obviously want to teach. Then I see myself in politics, perhaps moving up in the state, and then to Congress,” said Rogers.