Student activity fees remain up in the air

Student Activity Fees were once again the main topic of discussion at this week’s senate meeting.  

While the discussion was rather brief, both President Lukas Klueber and Vice President Konery Klueber were adamant that senators understood exactly what they were voting on and how it would affect students.  

“It’s hard to go and talk to your people if you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Konery Klueber said.  

Senators were instructed to look into the fees and the numbers to get a firm grasp on what would happen if the student activity fee was raised to an even $7 and if the 12 credit hour cap would be removed.  

The Kluebers also made the point that not both of these have to happen, it could be a variation depending on what the senators thought was best for the student population.   

The discussion will continue next week when Vice President Administration and Finance Kari Gaswich will come in and answer any questions the senators have. 

Senate leadership is also looking for feedback from the student body to help with senate’s decision.

 A vote on the student activity fee’s is expected to come in the upcoming weeks.  

Also mentioned at the meeting, Associate Professor Markus Jones pointed out to senators that textbooks are available in the library and encouraged them to speak with professors to get more books into the collection and to let students know that they are available. 

“I think that goes along with this calling ourselves cheap,” Lukas Klueber said. “We’re not cheap we’re affordable and provide a great education for our students. That’s one way we can provide a great education for our students and get people in the library.” 

In other business: 

> Family & Consumer Sciences Professor Kim Madsen approached senate with a request of $3,500 to bring Nick Scott, CEO of Wheelchair Bodybuilding and motivational speaker, to campus in September. AFB is looking into the request.  

> Sigma Tai Delta requested $2,177 to fund their annual trip to the Sigma Tai Delta international conference held in Los Vegas. AFB recommended $1,291, stating that the cost decrease is from putting four people to a room rather than the proposed two. Senate approved the recommended amount. 

> Band Club requested $1,300 to send eight people to an honor band for Nebraska college students in Lincoln. AFB recommended $1,147, stating that senate can only pay $94 per room when hotel rooms are over $200. Senate approved the recommended amount.  

> PBL requested $1,800 to send 10 people on a three day two night trip to Kearney. AFB recommended $800 due to the fact that the club had issues providing proper information regarding the last trip they went on. Senate approved the recommended amount.  

> Around 780 people attended The Eli Young Band concert held last Wednesday.  

> Senate tabled a request on adding a water bottle filling station to Miller Hall. The senators are looking into the decisions made about filling stations in the past and whether the request should be delayed until next year.  

> Senate has $4,989.06 in unallocated funds and $6,902.81 in unallocated trip funds.