Wartburg College Student Senate

Transcription

1 Wartburg College Student Senate January 15 th, :30 am WBC 214 Buckmaster WARTBURG STUDENT SENATE 1. Roll Call/Attendance: What has been or is currently your favorite class that you ve taken at Wartburg? Joke: What did one hat say to another hat? Answer: You stay here, I ll go on a head. 2. Guest Speaker: President Colson Thanks, I m glad to be here. We kicked off the public phase of an advanced campaign called Transforming Tomorrow in October around Homecoming. Before that, we spent a couple years in the silent phase talking to specific donors. Once the leadership gifts were gathered, it helped to determine the shape the project. The rough plans for Clinton Hall were made in In we had a company called Credo come to campus and look at our residential buildings to assess how efficient they are. We had questions such as where a possible new hall could be constructed, and information on the effectiveness of the current dorms Credo consulted with at least 150 students. They were impressed with Wartburg s Residential program. The ratio of RAs was estimated to be 1:29. Credo was impressed by the square footage ratio of dorm and the way housekeeping and maintenance were handled. They thought the mix of residential hall possibilities were good. Credo discussed making the space in residential halls more designated for activities such as infusing game lounges and theaters, business centers, computer labs, a kitchen, offices, and study lounges. They also discussed updating the aesthetics such as incorporating more color, fire places, drinking fountains, and furnishings. Wartburg then moved forward after Credo made their suggestions. Credo was brought back during master planning of phase. They suggested a reshaping of library to utilize space and the construction of a Welcome Center. One issue they found was that Wartburg does not have a front door. It can give a sense of being unwelcoming. The one project that had greatest traction was the utilization of Residential Hall space. 1852

2 Credo learned that they liked the layout of the traditional halls, meaning halls with rooms facing each other. They are a necessity for creating community. We found that it is not better to have suites for first-years of college so they can foster more friendships Aspects of the new Clinton Hall would feature a seminar room, business center, and theater room. An apartment would be incorporated to house faculty or staff who could live there and helps foster a relationship between faculty and students. Residential Life permeates academic and social components. Heating would be fixed along with wiring. We would incorporate air conditioning also. We shaped the construction of Clinton Hall off of student opinion. The Complex would then follow with a similar vision, and then conceivably Founders Hall after that. Senator Revis: Thank you for coming to speak for us. There are two parts to my question. Will the extension apartment be for RHD? Also, such as in Grossman, will there be an academic department housed in Clinton? I believe not. The extension will house a faculty member. In the conceptual design we do not facilitate an entire department housed in Clinton. The housed professor may offer classes in Clinton. Senator Isvik: Would the extension take away the field area in front of Clinton? No, we were worried about this also. Crado said only some sidewalk space would be lost. Senator French: Will there be an addition of handicap ramps? Yes the law states that through any renovation, it has to be brought into compliance with the ADA regulations. Senate Malone: After the renovations, will Clinton still be predominately for first-years? There are two figures to this belief. Upper-class students may find appeal in the renovations and decide to apply to live there. However, many upper-class students favor suite style living for the privacy. Dean Loers: Some sophomores would possibly desire to stay and live in Clinton. We believe more juniors and seniors would still desire the suites and more intimate setting. Senator Wilson: Will the expenses be increased for living in Clinton? We have not got this issue yet. Dean Loers: Deposits would still be kept the same format Senator Milius: When does this plan start? We cannot do anything yet until we really see the money first and foremost, but ideally the summer of 2016 We do not wish to borrow any money. We need cash or promises of donations.

3 The renovation could cost 7-8 million dollars. We already have commitments reaching approximately 4 million. Senator Milius: What percentage of funds is coming from tuition? None. Senator Smith: Would renovations take place during the summer? Yes, Credo conceived in a 90 day span President Mueller: Do you have any idea if Credo will be coming back to talk directly to current students? They will be back in March or April to start preliminary plotting. Our planning points to a 2016 construction if the funds are raised. Senator Buckles: Early this year the Transforming Tomorrow initiative was started, what are the divisions of money allocations? The three big buckets consist of the following areas: People. Places. Programs The largest section is People which is for scholarship. We have established five new professorships have been created and endowment of social work as part of Programs. Places includes the Clinton remodeling. Two million of the pledged is a challenge where an additional two million must be raised. In any campaign of this sort there are deferred gifts, which means the money is given after the giver dies. At least half of this campaign is differed gifts. Senator Migisha: Will we reprise the amenities in Clinton? Yes, but we also do this a little bit each year. Dean Loers: Every year maintenance goes through what amenities need to be updated. We have good progress with furnishings. All furniture in older halls was extremely old. We began replacing the furnishings for approximately 40 rooms a year. Thank you all for the work you do for the betterment of the student body. I will leave the conceptual poster here to look at. 3. Devotion: Senator Kurt I don t know how I m supposed to follow him, y all. What worries you? Grades, future, family, health, love life or lack thereof, money, and time? Freshman year I had every day of my life planned out. I found it impossible to completely plan my work. I became stressed and a high strung nuisance. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? No. Worrying lets life fly past you. There is a way to stop worrying: faith. Whether it be in god, the world, or ideals. When presentations and grades bear down, have a little faith. Senator Revis devotion for next week. 4. Approval of Last Weeks Minutes: 1/8/2015 Minutes stand approved

4 5. New Business a. Resolution #31- Supplemental Funding Request, CGIC Motion to suspend the rules by President Mueller, seconded by Senator Schulz. Rules are suspended. b. Resolution #32- New Senator Approval, Vice President Yotter Vice President Yotter: We have had one resignation and we had one applicant Lola Favaela. Please give her a round of applause and hear from her. Senator Favaela: Student senate provides a great opportunity to form possible solutions and represent the student body. All were in favor. Resolution passes. Motion to reinstate the rules by President Mueller, seconded by Academic Ombudsperson Steils. 6. Old Business a. Resolution #29- Supplemental Funding Request, IBA $1,340.00/$ Motioned by Treasure Budding, seconded by Academic Ombudsperson Steils Mollie Emerson: A group of us attended Iowa Band Master Association conference in Chicago. Eight attended last year. Numerous opportunities were available and we were able to bring back what we learned to Wartburg. Treasurer Budding: A cap on funding was applied for $800, leaving $100 per student which fits with the 80% rule and $800 cap for conference funding. All were in favor. Resolution passes b. Resolution #30- Supplemental Funding Request, NSTA $6,254.50/$ Motion by Treasurer Budding, seconded by Senator Kurt Bethany Mixdorf: NSTA conference will be held this spring and we have 13 students signed up to attend.

5 Treasurer Budding: The 800 dollar cap was applied and food was removed from consideration. Senator Revis: How are the meals allotted? Mixdorf: We averaged funds for each specific meal Resolution passes. All were in favor. 7. President s Report.....Teri Mueller The Board of Regents report is due here at the end of the month; I am working on it currently. I will need sections from the committee and hall council chairs Keep thinking about Campus Improvement ideas. I will create a more concrete list of some ideas. Some examples include: Outdoor seating, volleyball court updates, new printers, and addition of more water bottle fillers On January 26 th applications are due for President/Vice President, Treasurer, and Recorder. An election timeline poster will be put up soon in the academic buildings [swearing in of Lola as a senator] 8. Treasurer s Report...Jacklyn Budding [Showing of spread sheet with allocations] 49 groups applied for funding of $34,000 Only $3,400 has been claimed Forms are due March 24 th 5 PM for allocation applications Meetings will follow with exec members from the th of March. If you have any questions about Treasurer please contact me. 9. Recorder s Report Tyler Vogel I want to remind you to please apply for the Senate Leadership Scholarship if you have not already Leadership and Service Awards applications are due February 6 th. These awards recognize students for their achievements in leadership and service. Please consider nominating someone you know who deserves recognition. The link is Please me if you have any questions about the Recorder position Congratulations to our new senators! 10. Academic Ombudsperson s Report Alec Steils Please continue filling out the Faculty Staff Advisor Awards found at If you haven t received a poster yet talk to me after senate. If you have any questions about appointed positions of the executive team please talk to me or Sean.

6 11. Administrative Ombudsperson s Report Sean Lancaster I have sent all the new updated lists. Please check them over. Great job to new senators on ing. New senators will get boards. Molly will send out an when to take pictures of new senators Hall Council please wait for sending out doodle poll until I get you the updated list of hall council members All newspapers through Readership Fund will begin being distributed again. We have two new stands. Due to scheduling conflicts I can no longer sit on EESI. If you are interested in sitting on the committee please let me know. It deals with environmental and sustainability concerns and was one of the most interesting committees I have ever sat on. Senator Schmitt: Is there a reason we don t carry the Waverly Newspaper? The way the program is structured it does not include it. There will be a Dorm Storm on the 26 th I will only need 4 students so let me know if you are interested. I ll provide breakfast food! 12. Executive Assistant for Diversity s Report....Alex Gheysens I have nothing to report on today. 13. Vice-President s Report....Adam Yotter Thank you for asking great questions with President Colson here. I am happy to announce that on March 14 the second annual Senate semiformal dance at Tendrils will be held! We are still narrowing down the time. We have one more opening for senate. 14. Committee Reports None 15. Dr. Loers/ Dr. Pothast Dean Loers: If you are in an organization that has not claimed money from allocations, please go back and ask your organization about why this has not happened. Treasurer Budding: There has been peaked interest in claiming allocations after last senate meeting. Dr. Pothast: I hope you guys have had a great start of classes for the New Year. 16. Liaison Reports Senator Isvik: Remember to sign up for service projects for MLK day.

7 Senator Malone: German Club is trying to start up again, contact me if interested. 17. Student Issues Senator Schulz: Some suggestions I have heard are more bike racks around parking lots. Also the possibility of integrating more with the community through campus trick-or-treating on Halloween with a mini-carnival. I know the VAC does some work. President Mueller: Also direct them towards the CCE because it provides many opportunities for integration with the community. 18. Open Senate/Reminders Senator French: There is a wrestling meet tomorrow against Luther. There is a Women s basketball game at 2 and a Men s Basketball Game at 4 on Saturday. Senator Revis: Tuesday at 4:30 Around the World in 15 minutes will be the event in the Study Abroad office. Come try some great foreign food! EAD Gheysens: Diversity Committee will meet tomorrow during Chapel time. Academic Ombudsperson Steils: Any senator who has not received a poster should pick one up regarding faculty and staff awards. President Mueller: Next week is MLK week and events are happening on more than Monday. Please attend as many things as possible. Senator Nullmeyer: The first indoor track meet is tomorrow. Please come and show your support! 19. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by Senator Kurt, seconded by Senator Smith Meeting adjourned at 12:42 p.m.