Student Senate discusses recreation options, student tuition information

Students at the Student Senate meeting. From left to right: Ella Gilzean, Josiah Horvath, Maddy Peters, Emilee Price, Quinlan Hendrickson.

Photo credit: Kayla Korb

By Nora Betts

Senate President Josh Burmeister at Tuesday’s meeting said the Senate officers met with Concordia’s Chief Financial Officer Dave Kumm about potential campus projects such as planting more trees, encouraging use of the outdoor grills, and making students aware of tuition increases.

Burmeister said he talked with Kumm about improving “different recreational spots around campus, like in the quad, by the outdoor chapel.” One idea which has not been finalized is planting more shade-producing trees.

“We talked about planting more trees for more shade, getting some fast-growing trees so that’ll be in like 10 years instead of 50,” he said.

Burmeister also called attention to the grills outside of dorms, which he said very few students know about and utilize.

“We’re basically trying to spruce up the whole grill situation, so everyone knows they’re there and uses them instead of letting them sit there,” said Burmeister.

Treasurer Emma VanTol said the Senate officers are working to let students know about tuition increases before they happen.

She said that in years past, members of Concordia administration came to spring semester Senate meetings to announce raises in tuition and hear student questions. The Senate officers are working to reinstate those meetings.

“In the past, around February– maybe this was before COVID– Dave and President Bull would come in and talk to Senate about [tuition] and then we could ask questions,” said VanTol. “So we’re going to try and bring that back for the spring semester.”

Vice President Quinlan Hendrickson reminded students that each club must send a representative to Senate meetings to receive club funding, which is allocated by the Senate. After three free absences, each absence deducts a percentage of the club’s budget for the following year.

“If you miss more than three meetings, [your budget] starts to get cut for next year,” Hendrickson said.