Saint Louis University may be looking a little bit greener. Yesterday the Student Government Association senate unanimously voted to recognize the Irish-American Student Guild as a chartered student organization.

Dedicated to promoting the culture of the Emerald Isle, the Guild has already attracted attention from students.

“More than 300 people attended the Irish-American Student Guild’s interest meeting, and they already have 100 members who have paid dues,” SGA Executive Vice President Evan Krauss said.

The Irish-American Student Guild hopes to organize special activities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

James Ryan, the Guild’s founder, hopes for a Gaelic Festival with speakers, decorations and Irish art and dance demonstrations. Although SLU does not have classes during St. Patrick’s Day itself-the holiday coincides with Spring Break this year-Ryan is considering “re-creating” the celebrations with a parade on campus after students return to school.

Senator Dominique Gonzales, a junior business student representing the Black Student Alliance, presented the results of a survey on the shuttle service.

According to Gonzales, many students expressed interest in adding a weeknight shuttle service. Gonzales said expansion to the shuttle system might be difficult, however, because students might be unwilling to pay additional fees.

Gonzales also discussed the possibility of a three-hour weeknight shuttle route on Lindell Boulevard, with stops at Walgreen’s, Schnuck’s and the Central West End. The route would cost $1420.80 per semester, a sum Gonzales described as “not too bad.”

SGA is organizing an online survey to gather more student opinion on the shuttle system, for discussion next week.

The Senate also held an extended discussion on the problem of student retention. SLU’s freshman-sophomore retention rate for the fall of 2004 was 88 percent; President Cari Johns said that current rates were “OK but could be much better.”

Senators offered a variety of explanations for transfers and dropouts from SLU. Many blamed poor advising, while others focused on unpredictable increases in tuition and adjustments in federal financial aid.

One senator also said that some students see SLU as a “temporary home” or “stepping stone” before they transfer to a more prestigious institution.