K-State’s Student Senate convened in the K-State Student Union’s Big 12 Room last night for the second-to-last time this semester to discuss funding for various organizations’ events and trips.
Commendations were given to Greg Eiselein, professor of English and distinguished teaching scholar, for being named 2013 Kansas Professor of the Year by Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Eiselein was also named Coffman Chair for University Distinguished Teaching Scholars, the university’s highest award for undergraduate teaching, in 2008. In 2010, Eiselein helped develop a series of first-year seminars which led to the creation of K-State First.
Senators encouraged the student body to stay for the final home game on Nov. 23 against the University of Oklahoma to help impress bowl game scouts. The hope is to be invited to the best bowl possible.
“Continue to tell people of the importance of going to Saturday’s game,” Student Body President Eli Schooley, senior in political science, said. “That’s big for us to put a strong foot forward and show that we do care a ton about our football team.”
Senators Garrett Kays, sophomore in agricultural economics; Ryan Patterson, senior in management; Alex Wiltz, graduate student in counseling and student development; Megan Walden, senior in industrial engineering; Cody Kennedy, junior in education; and Michael Murray, senior in political science, were named to Student Centered Tuition Enhancements Committee. Parker Wedel, junior in management; Sarah McKittrick, senior in accounting; and Marcus Bragg, senior in management information services, were also named to the committee. Ray Buyle, associate professor in architectural engineering and construction science, was named as the faculty adviser to the committee.
Funding was approved for the Harry Potter Alliance to host their annual Hallows and Horcruxes Ball, which will be held March 8, 2014 in the K-State Alumni Center. While funding was allocated, the educational value was strongly debated.
“Just because you like Harry Potter doesn’t mean this is something you necessarily should vote for,” Nick Thibault, senior in accounting, said. “I like Harry Potter too but I don’t really see the educational value in it.”
Allocations were approved for Sensible Nutrition and Body Image Choices’ National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. SNAC will be hosting Chris Blackburn, former Biggest Loser contestant, who will speak on both men’s and women’s nutritional health, on Feb. 25.
Allocations were also approved for the Japanese Student Association, Ecumenical Campus Ministries, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Kappa Kappa Psi and Collegiate CattleWomen.
The College Allocations Committee introduced legislation for funding for American Institute of Architecture Students for their trip to AIAS Forum Chicago from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2. Also introduced were allocations for the American Fisheries Society and the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
There will be free HIV/AIDS and syphilis testing at the K-State Student Union on Thursday, Dec. 5, as a part of HIV/AIDS Awareness Week.
Organization applications for K-State Open House are due Friday, Dec. 6.
