Three key issues dominated at Monday night’s SA meeting: Changes coming to Larson Commons, 24/7 access to the Briggs Library, and an update from Title Title IX / Equal Opportunity coordinator Michelle Johnson.
Larson Commons will not close for the spring semester, according to Sen. Mason Pulse. Renovations that will require Larsons to close will not start until following the spring semester.
Next year, Larsons will have to be temporarily relocated. No information on where the relocation of Larson Commons will be next year was shared.
Pulse also announced that Larson Commons and The Market in the student union will be getting new managers. The hope is that this will combat stocking issues that have been seen frequently.
24/7 access to the library was also discussed at the meeting. Sen. Grace Barnett, who sits on the Library Committee and Government Affairs Committee, said that 24/7 access to the library was brought up and rejected by President Dunn and Provost Hedge due to “student health concerns.”
“The concern is that students would be staying up too late studying,” Barnett said. “From my understanding, it doesn’t sound like any forward momentum has been made there.”
SA also discussed the possibility of library renovations.
Library renovations are not in the budget and will most likely not happen in the near future, according to Sen. Grace Peterson.
Sen. Alex Schemek said that he believes there is a plan drafted for library renovations, but it is yet to be approved.
“They’re trying to get the ball rolling at least,” Schemek said. “Hopefully we’ll have more information for you in the future.”
SDSU is looking to move from a Research 2 university to a Research 1 (R1) university. SA’s adviser, Christopher Schmit, pointed out that most R1 universities have 24/7 access to their libraries.
“We talk about getting more PHD graduates and the resources for research, but there’s other aspects of that on campus,” Schmit said. “Everyone needs to come up.”
The Students’ Association was briefed on steps taken this past year by the office of IX/EO to enhance communications and awareness.
“This year we’ve taken a very intentional approach to increase the awareness of the office, what we do, and where students can report concerns,” Title IX / Equal Opportunity coordinator Michelle Johnson said.
Some things done this year by the Title
IX/EO office:
- Presentation at Yellow Blue and You freshman orientation
- Policies and bystander intervention
- NSO training
- Guest speakers
- Giveaways
- According to Johnson, the office gets about 30 reports a month and always welcomes feedback.
In other news:
SA is looking to amend their bylaws to reallocate a senator seat to the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors college.
“This is trying to give recognition to the Honors college that I believe it has deserved and earned, and at that, for a senator’s seat,” Sen. Matthew Schell said. “There’s no true representative for this large mass of students who may not be represented.”
SA will vote on this issue at their next meeting.
President Trinity Peterson announced election dates for SA. Nominations for president and vice president will be open Feb. 3, 10, and 24. Debates will be held March 24, and the election will be March 25-26.
Announcements:
Sen. Grant Sternhagen shared several new construction projects going on in the College of Engineering. There are plans to eventually add on to the Architecture, Mathematics and Engineering building and to add a new concrete industry management outdoor laboratory outside of Crothers. A few new staff members will also be added to the college.
The ROTC battalion allocated around $17,000 to get an obstacle course up and running, according to Sen. Blake Gibney.
