Yesterday the Student Government Association unanimously passed a resolution to extend the John Cook School of Business’ operating hours. Starting on Nov. 6, the business school will be open until midnight Sunday through Friday.

At the beginning of the fall 2005 semester, the business school’s closing time changed from 2 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Safety and security concerns motivated the change in operating hours.

Many business students were upset with the new closing time, protesting with 43 written and more than 100 verbal complaints. Some business students said they need facilities unique to the business school-such as breakout rooms and a large atrium-for work and study after 10:30 p.m.

Jamie Nichols and Jeff Bigner, both senators representing the business school, and Jordan Koene, president of the Business School Governing Assembly, brought students’ concerns to the administration. After discussion, they agreed to institute new security measures and establish a “trial period” extending operating hours to 12 a.m.

To improve security, a new student desk worker will watch the business school entrance from 10 p.m. to midnight. The administration will increase cooperation with the Department of Public Safety. A card swipe system and an alarm system are also being considered.

The business school’s closing time will remain midnight Sunday through Thursday throughout the trial period. If students consistently take advantage of the later closing time, the administration will make the new hours permanent or will extend them.

Senator Chris Pingel, a junior representing Marguerite Hall, discussed a recent meeting held between SGA’s Committee for Civic Affairs and representatives of the city of Saint Louis and Saint Louis University. They discussed ways to improve the pedestrian crosswalk across Grand Boulevard. Len Efthim and Kenneth B. Cox, representing the St. Louis Department of Streets, said they were willing to improve the situation by posting new speed limit signs and installing video traffic monitors. They also said they planned to add new pedestrian crosswalk stripes; city workers painted them the next day.

“The quick turnaround-the fact that it took less than 24 hours to get the crosswalk stripes painted-proves that you really can get things done, even when you are working with the city government,” President Cari Johns said.

Senator Nick Varuso and Senator Patrick Richards, both of Parks College, and Executive Vice President Evan Krauss presented legislation requesting that Mike Farmer, the president of the of the Association of Parks College Student,s be added to the college’s Dean Executive Committee. Many senators objected, preferring that one of the Parks College senators serve on the committee instead. After much debate, the authors rescinded the bill; the legislations will be changed and brought up again at the next SGA meeting.

The Senate also filled two vacancies on the Student Conduct Board. Lisa Udofia, a junior criminal justice major, and Rebecca Whitworth, a sophomore studying economics in the business school, will serve as associate justices. President Cari Johns said Udofia and Whitworth stood out in a field of ten other applicants.