- If a student-suggested fire pit is constructed on campus, students will be able to ditch their candle warmers and head outside for a bonfire.
At its Nov. 16 meeting, SGA discussed an upcoming meeting with President Christy. The meeting, to take place Nov. 23, will address the Heemstra housing situation and petition.
This meeting is a result of a motion passed on Nov. 2 to invite Christy and local Board members to further discuss the situation. Wes Garcia, SGA president, explained that SGA has only directly invited Christy.
“Out of respect to the Board members, we felt that the invitation should be extended through Christy,” Garcia said. He went on to say, “When we invited President Christy to the meeting, we also stated that we would like other Board members present and have left the decision and the invitation up to him.”
Upon the request of several Heemstra residents in mid-October, SGA has taken on the role of liaison between Heemstra and the Board of Directors.
SGA hopes to convey student concern over the proposed suite-style housing as well as give Heemstra representatives an opportunity to present alternative options to administration.
Heemstra representative senior Matt Leither explained, “We have laid out a couple of alternatives, including building a traditional dorm instead for about the same cost, or fixing Heemstra temporarily.” Either of these options, Leither maintains, would cost the college significantly less than the suites.
“Knowing the amount of signatures that Heemstra has collected has prompted us to make sure the student voice is heard by the administration,” Garcia stated. “This meeting will only serve to reinforce the validity of the student voice and the discontent of that voice.”
This meeting serves to continue the discussion between the student body and the administration. Garcia doubts any significant decisions regarding the situation will be made at the meeting.
SGA meetings are open to all students and those with a vested interest are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in RSC 149.
Also discussed was a proposition by a student for SGA to fund the construction of a fire pit on campus. The idea was positively received by members and it was decided to invite the student to the Nov. 30 meeting to further discuss potential costs, locations and obstacles such as fire code.