Yesterday’s Student Government Association meeting began with an update on the progress of the Busch Memorial Center from Denise Taylor, assistant vice president of facilities planning, and Lee Hahnel, project coordinator for the BMC.
Taylor reported that the project is “right on the budget and on time,” scheduled to wrap up at the end of next summer, around July or August. A reported 80 percent of the foundations have been completed.
Hahnel noted, “As far as progress to date, we’re in the process of reviewing and selecting finishes” for carpeting and other installments. He continued, “We expect to see frames and steel trucks by mid to late October.”
The move-in date is slated to occur on Aug. 1. Administrative Vice President Vince Giacabazi inquired about having a “lottery system” to have students tour the site with members of Clayco Construction. Taylor replied that this could be arranged.
Many of the original features are still in the plans, including a dividable multi-purpose room, an entertainment and dining area, an outdoor ampitheater-style plaza and offices for student organizations.
In addition, Taylor said that a Web site for students to check on the progress of the BMC construction would soon be created.
During the open forum, Nick Fagan, a fifth-year senior in the John Cook School of Business and a former senator, shared his sentiments on last week’s failure of the parking bill.
To the commuters, he said, “You weren’t present for the vote or you didn’t vote, [and that is] completely unacceptable. You are completely voting against your constituencies; I think you know who you are. You’re supposed to represent them.” His second point focused on the “inappropriateness of the debate–completely and absolutely unacceptable.”
Fagan found comments made about Japanese internment camps particularly distasteful. “You’re confusing your issues and a serious matter in history,” he said.
Also in the open forum, Village Senator Pat Contreras revealed his feelings about last Wednesday’s vote.
“I admit I was wrong,” he said. Contreras commented that people approached him to ask if he was on his own personal agenda. He added that he is working with the residents of the Village.
“We’re a Senate and we’re bigger than [this issue],” he said. “Let’s get this done.”
The Senate passed a bill to establish a connection with the Madrid campus, creating a non-voting seat, whose term would last one semester, to communicate with the St. Louis campus throughout the term.
Internation Student Federation President Kavita Rajah said that a resolution that would establish November as Diversity Awareness Month was, “the brainchild of ISF in 2001,” and its purpose as uniting and educating students about a subject that is often misunderstood. Rajah cited the support of 25 organizations. The resolution passed.
In addition, three new senators were sworn in. Committee Chair Reports commenced with Academic Vice President Lubna Alam announcing that the Convenience Store is open until 3 a.m.
Rozier said that President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., is offering a golf cart to run a shuttle-like service from Olive-Compton garage to other areas of campus.
The shuttle would run every 10 minutes from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Rozier said that volunteers to drive the cart were needed, and added that there was no budget for the shuttle drivers to be paid. Senators suggested that the shuttle should have a two week trial and that student escorts could drive it.
