The recently inaugurated executive branch of the Government of Student Body isn’t wasting time getting to work.

GSB president Jon Turk, junior in political science, and vice president Chandra Peterson, junior in political science, have already started to work and say they have a deep agenda for the summer months.

“We made a promise to the student body to do the things we campaigned on,” Turk said. “The worst thing we could do, as executives, is to slump in the summer and try to get in the hang of things again in the fall.”

Turk said he and Peterson have been working hard and they will continue to be equally efficient in the summer months.

“We have held three cabinet meetings and have laid out the ground work for projects and ideas,” Turk said.

Recently, Turk attended University Budget Advisory Committee meetings.

“I am getting myself up to speed about the direction the Provost office is going on budget proposals,” Turk said.

Additionally, Turk held his first meeting with Warren Madden, vice president for business and finance, and the special student fee and tuition committee, of which Madden is chairman.

Turk and Peterson will meet with ISU President Gregory Geoffroy and Tom Hill, vice president for student affairs, Tuesday.

Peterson said he has begun working on the diversity platform and sustainability goals. 

Peterson spoke at the opening ceremony for Asian Pacific Americans Week and has begun meeting with different groups on campus to work on recycling initiatives. She said she is currently focusing her efforts on the potential for a campus-wide “go green” event to raise awareness and educate students on environmental issues.

The focus of the summer, however, will be to work with New Student Programs to get GSB more involved with Destination Iowa State and welcoming new students to the university.

Turk said he wants to be sure new students are aware of what GSB can do for them.

Tuition and fee proposals is another item Turk and Peterson will focus on this summer.

“We will be meeting multiple times with the special student fees and tuition committee to work on the proposals,” Turk said.

Additionally, Turk and Peterson will focus on updating the GSB Web site, as promised during their campaign. 

The pair said they will also work with university committees and boards to appoint student representatives to them.

“We will also be meeting with the State and Federal Government Relations officers to work on GSB’s lobbying plan at the state Legislature,” Turk said.

In the fall, Turk and Peterson said they plan to begin finalizing the tuition and fee recommendation and begin their public relations and outreach campaign immediately.