Two meetings into the year and Student Senate isn’t pulling any punches. Despite losing senators after the change in semester, there are already a few resolutions on the table.
Last semester’s suggestions to change homecoming to a week-long event and to place new scanners in the library have both been enacted. The ROTC early registration and Internet upgrade resolutions are still in discussion among the administration, according to Vice President for Student Affairs Nathan Thomas.
The administration chose not to act upon a resolution concerning new body-length mirrors in Markin. Thomas said the resolution was rejected because there are currently other rooms available with full-length mirrors and the rooms in Markin are purposely designed.
Student Body President Jason Blumenthal outlined Student Senate’s plans for the semester and reflected on the previous semester.
“I feel that we’ve accomplished more over that one semester in regards to quantity of resolutions and with the ability of our relationships with administrators to make things happen,” Blumenthal said. “I truly feel that we, as my administration, [have] done a lot more than [we] previously have.”
This semester already has a few new resolutions on the table. The first concerns a possible tuition freeze. The resolution proposes that students’ tuition is frozen at one amount for their four years at Bradley, instead of increasing each year.
Another resolution involves the long wait time to schedule a counseling appointment at Health Services. This proposes that Health Services decrease the waiting time down to no longer than one week by hiring new employees.
While Student Senate passes resolutions, it is still working on revising its constitution and changing into a three-branch government system instead of a single legislative branch.
“I want to see senate continue to pass resolutions that matter and stay on the path that we are on—we have a great momentum going right now,” Student Senate Vice President of Student Affairs Helen Lagerblade said. “I am proud of what we have done so far. From the internet resolution, to fee-change notifications, to extending homecoming and now to the counseling services and tuition freeze resolutions and everything else in between, our resolutions have been meaningful and important to students and campus. I want to see that continue and our communication of that back to students continue and even improve.”
