Senate jumps into pool project, allocates $20,000

Plans for the new pool were the main topic of discussion at Monday night’s Student Senate meeting.

Dale Grant, vice president of administration and finance, came to speak to Student Senate about the Armstrong renovations. Grant said that if the students are committed to a new pool, it would cost approximately $2.5 million. The school would enter a twenty-year bond, which would mean paying $200,000 a year.

“Those of you who visited the pool understand that everything is shot,” Grant said. He added that no matter how much money the school might put into the Armstrong pool, it would never be as inviting as a new pool in the PAC.

“At this point,” Grant said “I just want to get a feel for how committed you are to this project.”

Senators asked if the possible raise in student activity fees could be waived in any way, for example if the money from current student activity fees used for the PAC could be put toward the pool. Grant said that it was possible, however, there have been renovations done in the past few years, such as the renovations on the racquetball room, and the school continuously buys new equipment to replace worn out equipment.

“The PAC is always an ongoing project,” said Randy Rhine, vice president of enrollment, management, and student services.

Grant said that the new pool would be a process and at best the school will see it finished by fall of 2014, but more likely by spring of 2015.

Senate voted in favor of supporting the new pool, and allocated $20,000 for a project statement.

Tami Fosher, manager of RLA, and Mary Landen, Andrews Hall resident director, spoke about fitness equipment in the resident halls.

According to Fosher and Landen, RLA wants to get students out of their rooms and socializing, and often students don’t want to go to the PAC.

RLA’s goals are to update the equipment in High Rise, Edna, and Brooks, and to redesign current areas and make them more appealing.

RLA would like to get new resistance bands, treadmills, ellipticals, televisions to mount on the walls, and other new equipment. The final price is estimated to be around $32,000.

Fosher also said that this does not have to be a one-year plan, it may take many years to complete this project.

In other matters, Vice President James Bahensky said the Constitutional Committee is currently revising the Senate’s constitution.

Secretary Chrissy Black said that the walk-through results had been tallied. Many students mentioned that they’d like to see improvements to technology. She also said that the improvements to the library, including the coffee shop, have seen positive results. Students also mentioned things such as better exercise equipment in the dorms, bigger events and charity events on campus, and getting plasma screens in all the dorms.

Treasurer T.J. Thomson said there is $11,508 in un-allocated funds.

Jacob Rissler was approved as a senator-at-large.

Student Trustee Riley Machal said applicants interested in the Student Trustee position can get forms from her.

Applications are due to the VP of Student Affairs office by noon Feb. 24.