Student Senate

Student Senate unanimously approved the allocation of $6,870 for the Ag Club. This budget, for the International Society for Range Management Meeting, consisted of $2,070 for five nights of hotel stay, and $4,800 for the registration of 20 students. This fund, and all funds of Student Senate, CAB, and AFB, come from student activities fees. If all of the allocated fund isn’t spent, then that money will go back to the Senate fund. Student Senate also received their unallocated funds for this semester.

Student Senate debated ways to increase staff and faculty traffic flow to the coffee shop, Book Ends, in the library. At the meeting Monday night, Director of Food Services Tracy Shuck answered questions regarding, and spoke to Senate about Book Ends, saying that “student use of it not the issue,” but the lack of use by the faculty and staff. Each day, the coffee shop gets roughly 45 to 65 visitors, most of these visitors being students. Students can use their Eagle Bucks to purchase coffee, and snacks, but profit comes from the use of credit cards, or cash.

Student Senate discussed a new project in the works to create walking trails on campus.

The future of the coffee shop in the library, Book Ends, continues to be a topic of debate. Some members of Senate including President Carly Slaght felt that Book Ends was quite costly, “not being used enough,” and presented some complaints regarding noise. Senate proposed ideas and alternatives, such as a barista could be hired on campus. Until the Student Senate comes to a verdict, however, Book Ends remains on the first floor of the Reta E. King Library. Student Senate discussed plans concerning future senators of the resident halls.

Senate allocated $215,840.93 to clubs for next semester’s budgets. The money for the clubs’ budgets will come from the Student Senate budget in the fall; any unallocated funds from this semester will roll over to next year’s budget.

Hurley announced a detailed schedule of events for Spring Daze at the open forum Thursday in the Student Center.

Senate discussed purchasing new automated external defibrillators after a senator claimed the ones on campus are not compatible with the equipment on the Chadron ambulances at a meeting 5 p.m. Monday in the Student Center.

With Vice President Karson Langley gone for golf and Senate President Katrina Hurley gone to an AIPAC meeting in the District of Columbia, Student Senate Secretary Olivia Vester ran the Senate meeting, where $2,000 was allocated to bring an inspirational speaker to campus next semester.

Senate discussed bringing inspirational speaker Holly Hoffman, former “Survivor: Nicaragua” contestant, to campus next year at the open forum Thursday night.

Senate announced its budget with the spring semester numbers in, and allocated $48,863 of the $196,793.30 unallocated funds. Senate also amended bylaws for the Activity Fee Board, amid much discussion between senators.