Senate seeking student help in concert planning

Chadron State students could see their favorite Country and RnB performers in the near future, but Senate is asking for help in the selections. 

Senate adviser Megan Northrup told Senate that future concert planning is underway, but student input is needed before bids are placed on potential artists. With a budget of $100,000 to work with, Northrup said the entertainment company CSC has worked with in the past sent a list of performers in that price range, but there are options when it comes to bidding.

“The important thing is picking out a few (performers) and putting in bids, but if you really only want to have one and you don’t get that one, then you don’t have a concert. And that’s an option too,” Northrup said.

Vice President Konery Klueber, junior of Rapid City, South Dakota, said the list of possible country artists includes Kip Moore, Scotty McCreery, Chase Bryant, Dustin Lynch, Jerrod Neimann, Jon Pardi, Tyler Farr, Kellie Pickler, Hunter Hayes, Eli Young Band and Russell Dickerson. On the hip hop/ RnB front, 2 Chainz, A$AP Ferg, Ciara, Cee Lo Green, Busta Rhymes, Fetty Wap and Juicy J are in the short list.

Klueber asked senators to spread the word and visit with constituents about who they would like to see on campus, noting that some of the big-name performers aren’t necessarily out of the question.

“Be spreading the word because this is something that we need to start a pretty big conversation about to make sure when we do bring them (performers) in, it is the best event it can be,” Klueber said. “Be asking and throwing names out there, because some people might think ‘Holy cow, there’s no way we can have any of these people here,’ but if you start that process now there’s the potential that some of these people might be able to come here and perform for us, which would be a pretty crazy thing to have.”

Students should contact a senator with any ideas regarding potential entertainers. 

Student Trustee Dawson Brunswick, senior of McCook, reported he, Student Trustee Sam Klammer, junior of Juanita, Dr. Randy Rhine and Hansen loaded two pallets’ worth of bottled water into their vehicles and delivered them to Peru at last week’s Board of Trustees meeting. Brunswick said Peru was “very grateful” for the donations, explaining that because Peru has been on a boil order they will be “using all the drinking water they can.”

Brunswick also added that Chancellor Paul Turman will be visiting Chadron State on April 12 and 13 for a groundbreaking ceremony and The Big Event.

The homecoming committee has decided to open discussion to more students, citing the wish for more students to step into leadership opportunities.

“We want to make sure that all students are being heard. I know you guys do that as well, but maybe we can take a little bit off your guys’ plate as far as all the events that go on throughout the week,” Northrup said.

Though a meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, students can contact Northrup for more information.

Vice Chair of Finance Lily Umeta, sophomore of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said AFB is finished with hearings and will present budget recommendations to Senate at next Monday’s meeting.

Senate unanimously passed minor NPAC by-law revisions, including a GPA requirement of 2.0 for members.

Senator Travis Mills, senior of Fort Collins, Colorado, reported that he has been in contact with Director of the Office for Academic Success Thomas Tylee on creating or working with a campus mentorship program. Mills said he met with Tylee as well as two full-time mentors on staff to see what can be done to “ramp up” the program for this fall.

Chief Justice Samantha Merrill, senior of Oral, South Dakota, said that petitions have been received and are currently being checked to confirm that petitioners meet the requirements of the petition. Merrill will announce when the process is completed.

CAB Chair Kimberly Hernandez announced that CAB executive position nominations opened Monday. Nominations will remain open into the following week.

Scholastic Day is scheduled for Friday, April 12. Clubs can contact Hernandez to set up a booth. Free pizza will be provided.

The Pit, RLA and Blue Key are hosting Casino Night from 9 p.m. – midnight, Thursday, at The Pit. Games include craps, roulette, Texas hold’em, slots and black jack. Free food and prizes will be available.

RLA is hosting “Movie n’ Smoothie” at 7 p.m. in the Edna Conference Hall. Edna staff will pick the featured movie.

Free Bowling Night is from 6-9 p.m., Sunday, at Hill Top Lanes. Free pizza will be provided.

Senate currently has $9,931.91 in unallocated funds.