The Southeast Community College Student Senate meets at 3:30 p.m. every school-attended Monday at the SCC – Lincoln Campus Student Center.
President Nate Smith brings the meetings to order and keeps the meetings moving. During the Winter quarter at SCC, a number of issues pertinent to the student body were addressed.
Tuition rates for the 2012-2013 school year were widely discussed during the quarter. Lincoln Campus Director and Student Services Vice President Jeanette Volker addressed the senate personally to present the situation.
“On March 20th the (SCC) Board of Governors will take a vote on tuition for next year,” she noted. “Right now you are paying… (in-state) $51 per quarter credit.”
The Board of Governors had six options to choose from, ranging from no tuition increase to an increase in 9.80% to $56 for each quarter hour in state, and a 9.52% increase in out of state tuition from $63 per quarter hour to $69.
In the end, both the Student Senate and the Board of Directors approved Option 3. This will raise the cost per quarter hour up to $53 for residents and $65.50 for non-residents.
Winter quarter’s community service project benefited the Friendship Home – a shelter for women and children who escape domestic abuse. Donators were encouraged to provide pillows, pillowcases, cleaning supplies, size 5 diapers and feminine hygiene products. Although the project is concluded, further donations would be accepted at http://www.friendshiphome.org/
Events like the Green Screen Photo ranged throughout the quarter as well. Other events such as “Puss in Boots” movie nights provided family oriented entertainment. Wellness events such as Heart Day were also coordinated by the senate members.
Smoking and student health found its way to the senate floor on more than one occasion as well. The concept of a smoking tent, meant to shelter smokers from the outside elements as they took a smoke break was dismissed by the SCC faculty.
In addition, there had been some complaints by the student body that smokers were instead using the bus stop at the SCC Lincoln Campus entrance to seek shelter from the cold weather. Discussion ensued with two points of view emerging.
Wellness Chair Ryan Krueger suggested that two benches should be in place at the entrance. “Make one of them smoke free,” he suggested. Alternatively, Vice President Candy Hemmer had a proposed a different solution. “I’d prefer to make them non-smoking.”
The discussion is slated to continue soon. Smith asserted that he would bring the topic up with the Lincoln Campus Faculty.
Meetings take place every Monday SCC in the student center, starting at 3:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome to watch the proceedings. Visitors interested in representing their program in the senate must become verified by their departments, bearing a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average.