11:50 a.m. — Stroll with the Senate
“While the job description is pretty much ‘in charge of the administrative functions for the senate,’ it’s a whole lot more than just that.”
Next on Broadbent’s agenda is the Stroll with the Senate, a series of clips to be aired online and on the plasma screen TV in the Student Center. Broadbent is the first to be taped, as he walks from Merrill Hall to the Student Center and discusses USS issues. Broadbent attracts a lot of attention. A photographer, a reporter, and videographer follow him across campus. He chats away about current USS projects and plans for the rest of the semester, hardly noticing the puzzled looks he receives.
As executive director, Broadbent is in charge of administrative functions for the senate, which represents the more than 22,000 undergraduates at Kent State. He acts as the spokesman for the senate and supervises the other eight senators.
“A lot of it is just paperwork and prodding people along, making sure they do their jobs and do it right,” Broadbent says. “Also, I sit on a lot of committees and handle student complaints, that kind of stuff. While the job description is pretty much ‘in charge of the administrative functions for the senate,’ it’s a whole lot more than just that.”
12:03 p.m. — USS office
Broadbent looks through the Daily Kent Stater in his office with Adam Croweak, the Undergraduate Student Senator for student relations.
(Photo: Gavin Jackson)
Broadbent arrives at the USS office with little time to prepare for his next interview. He does have time, however, for the Thefacebook.com, his newest obsession.
“I’m a nerd,” he says. “(Senator for Business and Finance) Chris Bowers and I are having a contest to see who is the most popular person at Kent State.”
At time of publication, Broadbent’s friends numbered 450, but it’s probably increased since. Bowers had 346.
After checking his Facebook, Broadbent checks his voice mail and e-mail.
The USS office is quiet on a Friday afternoon, but that does not mean the work stops. Broadbent and the other senators are working on many projects. One of the biggest is working with the Inter-University Council, a group of student governments in Ohio, for greater state funding in higher education.
Broadbent also has a pet project he’s working on: Getting the university to change its mascot from the Golden Flashes to the Black Squirrels.
Shortly after arriving in the office, Broadbent has a meeting with Valerie Fatica, the senator for university affairs. They discuss Fatica’s plans for the rest of the semester.
Fatica says she enjoys working with Broadbent on the senate.
“He’s like a cartoon character in that he’s always smiling and excited about life.”
“Gary is great to work with because he always has a positive attitude,” Fatica says. “He’s like a cartoon character in that he’s always smiling and excited about life.”
Broadbent says he has enjoyed his time as executive director.
“It’s been a great learning, growing experience for me,” Broadbent says. “I can remember when I came in this spot a year ago, I wasn’t the same person I am now. It’s changed my perspective on things. I’ve matured a lot in this role.”
1:17 p.m. — Lunch in the Hub
Broadbent calls a few friends for a lunch date, and finds Jake Myers in the credit union office.
Broadbent orders a roasted turkey sandwich and a yogurt with granola from Einstein Bros. Bagels, where his girlfriend, freshman pre-marketing major Hillary Lovell, works.
They have been dating since October. “It’s going well,” Broadbent says. “She’s a great girl, but I really worry about what will happen when I go off to law school because I don’t know where I’ll be.”
Broadbent is heading to Case Western Reserve University in the fall. He would like to work in public services, possibly as a judge or member of the executive branch, he says.
Even at lunch, Broadbent doesn’t take a break. Myers and Broadbent sit at a table near the windows and discuss business. They discuss putting more ATMs in the residence halls and campus buildings, but the difficulty that could cause because of the university’s contract with Huntington banks.
The Burr is produced by students at Kent State University twice per academic year.No part of The Burr may be reprinted without permission.