By Steve Peoples
Executive Editor
Officials address new parking fees
Two University officials were invited to discuss the new parking and transportation fee (see page 1).
Judy Ryan, executive assistant to the president and Bob Caswell, executive director of Media and Community Relations spoke about the fees and the proposed 1,200-space parking garage.
Next year students will pay $4 per credit hour for a parking and transportation fee. A student taking 12 credit hours will pay $96 for the year. The following year the fee will be doubled, at $8 per credit hour, or $192 a year for a student taking 12 credit hours.
Ryan and Caswell discussed the community education facility that will feature a 500 to 600 seat lecture hall and new offices. They also named the architects, Einhorn, Yaffee and Prescott, a Massachusetts firm.
Senators asked questions about the project and voiced concerns.
The concern was brought up that students taking 18 credit hours would pay significantly more than those taking 12. Some senators wanted to know if there would be a cap on the fee, but Ryan said there would not.
In general, however, the Senate supported the plan and voted 14-0 to support the proposed fees.
New technology
The Senate voted to give $1,318 to Student Legal Services to purchase a new computer.
Apparently, its old computer crashed and a replacement was needed.
Student Legal Services helps students who need legal advice. They handle landlord-tenant issues among others.
Student Legal Services can be contacted at 780-4792.
Here’s to Martin Luther King Jr.
The Senate approved a proposal to give $64.75 to be used for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event.
The event called “Building Bridges: honoring Dr. Martin LK Jr., ” will be held this Thursday in the Woodbury Campus Amphitheater at 1 p.m.
Americorps organizers say the event will celebrate community service as a means to fight racism. They’re anticipating 40 to 50 people.
Say hi to George W.
6 senators will be headed to Texas this February for the national Conference of the Student Government Association.
The three-day conference will begin Feb. 23 at Texas A&M.
The Senate voted to allocate $1,500 to send Senate Secretary Tyler Stanley, Vice Chair Brittany Esposito, and Commuter Sens. Harry Wright, Anthony Pergola, Mike Norton and Jessica Roy.
Sharpen this
Senate Secretary Tyler Stanley has been telling the Senate over the past few weeks that he was concerned about the pencil sharpener situation on campus.
He expressed a desire to send an official letter to various University officials formally requesting that something be done about the sharpener shortage.
Stanley’s concerns sparked a fierce debate as some were concerned that the request might give off an unprofessional image.
In the end, however, the Senate voted to send a letter to The Free Press (see page 5) and to Dave Early, executive director of Facilities Management.
The motion passed 8-6.
New appointees
Resident Senator Sarah Hines was appointed as the Student Senate representative to the Faculty Senate.
The Senate also appointed a new Resident Sen. Gretchen Chesley.
Chesley’s addition brings the number of senators up to 17. A full Senate is 21.
Funds
The Senate currently has $4,762.30 left in its unallocated account.
Absent
Senate Treasurer Justin LaBerge was not at Friday’s meeting. The absence was excused.
Next meeting:
The Senate will meet this Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the Woodbury Campus Center, rooms B and C, Portland. All are encouraged to attend.