Senators started off their last meeting of the semester with Rep. Sydney Carlin speaking about their voice on-campus and asking them to reach out to her for political help if needed. She explained that big budget cuts are expected again for the next year. Carlin also reminded senators that many Kansas representatives and senators will be looking for interns for the coming year.
Ryan Swanson, associate vice president for campus planning and facility management, addressed senators about the plan to eventually close campus roads during school hours and the new plans for chilled water distribution. The entire chilled water project will take approximately $56 million.
“One of the nice things about this master plan is the consistency that it provides for the whole campus,” Swanson said.
Swanson also said that bike lanes are anticipated to be included on campus since main campus roads will be closed. Roads will still be maintained for weekend use and for emergency access.
President Reagan Kays, senior in agribusiness, reminded senators to give their voice to Workshop Architects, who are renovating the K-State Student Union and will be back on campus to hear from students in January. He also urged students to download the LiveSafe app and gave an update on the Lifeline 911 policy.
Bylaw changes were approved for the Tuition Strategies Committee to explicitly include the allocation of fees under the committee’s jurisdiction. The new amendment also states that fee reviews and reports will be given to the university president and provost on a three-year cycle.
“I think these are good changes to make our process for fees and charges more structured and detailed,” Kays said.
WellCAT Ambassadors received funding for “Fit to Be Me” Week which it will host from Feb. 23 – 27, 2015. The club will bring in Amber Krzys, creator of bodyheart.com, to speak to students about the importance of a positive body image for both men and women. It will also show “America The Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments.”
Senators approved funding for Student Mobilization to provide four $100 scholarships for students to attend its winter conference in Oklahoma City. The Food Science Club also received funding for members to attend a food industry trade show in San Francisco. Funding was also approved for Collegiate Cattlewomen to send members to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Conference in San Antonio.
Funding was approved for the American Fisheries Society to travel to the Kansas Natural Resource Conference in Wichita, Kansas. Engineers Without Borders also received funding to travel to Joyabaj, Guatemala for the Elementary School Renovation Project Assessment Trip. Funding was given to the Kansas State Horseman’s Association to travel to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Commendations were given to Jessica Woodworth, freshman in animal sciences and industry, and Tristan Davis, freshman in animal sciences and industry, for being awarded the 2014 American Star in Agricultural Placement and 2014 National FFA Swine Production – Placement Proficiency Award, respectively.
