Students react to senate fire-pit project

At its meeting last week, Student Senate allocated $158,500 for construction of a fire pit on CSC’s campus. Some students were unaware of the plan to allocate the money until it was already done, others were still unaware when asked about it this week. 

The allocation, like all senate allocations, is funded by student activity fee money. That activity fee costs students $7 per credit hour up to a maximum of $84 per semester.  

Reaction to the cost of the fire pit among asked students remained substantially similar, with most believing the cost was somewhat expensive. 

One student, Hope Stone, junior from Maywood had not yet heard about the fire pit when asked Tuesday. Upon hearing a description of the project and its price, she expressed mild reception. 

“I think it would be nice, but I feel like there was other ways they could have spent that much money,” Stone said.  

She thinks Student Senate could be spending money on other things around campus for students, like dorm improvements. She also says she would have liked to hear from senate before they voted to allocate money for the fire pit. 

“I think it’s important for students to know money that they pay to the college, that essentially is student money, is going to something that everyone would use and would be beneficial for everyone, because some people don’t like fire pits or they won’t use it,” Stone said. “So, I think it would be important for students to know that it’s going to be there and that is what their money is going toward.” 

Another student, Isna Patel, a junior from Huntsville, Alabama, also had not heard about the Student Senate fire pit project, but says the project was an appropriate use of student money. 

“I think that a fire pit will obviously be there for a while,” Patel said. “Knowing how cold it gets here, I think it will enable us to still be out and about.” 

She thinks students will use the fire pit but still acknowledges it was a large sum of money allocated. 

“It is a big chunk of money, but it’s not like they’re throwing it away – at least I hope they’re not throwing it away,” she said. “I hope that they’ve been reasonable in their research that goes behind it.” 

Jaylon Martinez, sophomore of Douglas, Wyoming, heard about the fire pit project after discussing with friends and being approached by his Student Senator of High Rise, Colton Brienza. 

“I know a lot of people on my floor want it,” Martinez said. “It gives us something to do outside – be with our friends, have a good time around a fire, be with everyone here.” 

Thomas Scherbarth, junior of Hay Springs, read about the project in the paper and likes the idea of the project but admits it is expensive. 

“That’s a lot of money for something that I could do for less,” Scherbarth said. “I feel like that’s a lot just for a fire pit.” 

Both Martinez and Scherbarth believe the design details and quality of construction will determine if the fire pit is worth the price tag. They also believe Student Senate could have done more outreach to students before allocating the money. 

“I think maybe they could have sent out an email survey or something like that because the only time I heard about it was in the paper and it had already been decided,” Scherbarth said. 

Scherbarth added that he hopes the fire pit is used by students. 

“I hope it’s used, you know, because I feel like if it’s not it was a waste of $158,000.” 

Cameron McClintock is a sophomore resident advisor in Andrews Hall. He heard about plans for the fire pit at a Residence Life Association meeting before senate allocated the money.  

“I think it would be a pretty neat thing, you know; you can host events over at the fire pit, and students being able to use the fire pit; it’s nice,” McClintock said. 

He thinks the fire pit seems slightly expensive, but like Martinez and Scherbarth, he believes the details will determine if the cost is reasonable. 

“I think it’s a tiny bit pricey, but I don’t know the specifications behind really any of it I guess,” McClintock said. 

He hopes senate reaches out to students for approval once they come up with an actual design for the fire pit. 

“Getting approval from the students that are actually wanting to use that fire pit would be nice,” McClintock said.