2008 Woodie Awards
Senate wants rec presentation
Administration's fee consideration request to Board of Trustees concerns some senators; anticipate answers
by Brittney Hansen
Issue date: 1/17/08
Section: Senate News and Notes
Minnesota State Student Association President Chris Frederick informed the senate body yesterday that over winter break, MSU administration put forth a request to the Board of Trustees for the addition of an $80 wellness facility fee. This fee would be added on as a continuous fee in addition to current student activity fees.
Senators raised concern about the way the fee has been presented. Administration went directly to the Board of Trustees with their recommendation and has not yet given a presentation on the matter before the senate. Frederick said he looks forward to having a presentation from administrative officials before the senate within the next few weeks.
Updating the campus recreational facilities is on President Richard Davenport's list of goals and initiatives for 2008. A similar fee proposal was defeated in student referendum last spring.
In other news:
• Director of the Academic Computer Center Wayne Sharp and Director of Technical Services Bryan Schneider presented on behalf of Information and Technology Services (ITS) Wednesday. ITS encompasses web programming, video production, customer support, network infrastructure, as well as academic classrooms and labs.
The total ITS budget before inclusion of the MnSCU IT Initiative funding from the Office of the Chancellor is $6.3 million. Salary accounts for 48 percent of this total budget and is provided by the General Fund. NAI Tech-Fees account for 36 percent or $2.3 million. Meanwhile, only two percent, or $125,000, goes toward institutional equipment. The general fund provides four percent, or $233,000, of this total budget for other equipment.
• Student senators will be sporting new purple polos purchased from Maverick Solutions, a new business started by the Entrepreneurship Club. The group hopes that student clubs and organizations will come to them first with their customized apparel needs instead of going to outside sources.
When asked if they would be competing with the on- or off-campus bookstores - which also sell MSU apparel - Balow responded, "We are not looking to compete with the bookstore, but to set ourselves apart."
The club plans to provide customized apparel to student groups at a discounted rate, as well as Minnesota State apparel with more creative appeal.
"We want to go to the art department and get input from them for shirts and designs," Balow added.
Maverick Solutions has been working with Creative Ad Solutions in North Mankato to produce their products, but hopes to eventually be able to print their own.
"Hopefully a year or two from now we'll be producing our own shirts. Right now we're just working on learning how to start a business," Balow said.
The grand opening for their new store location, located in the old TuneTown behind Boomtown, will be Jan. 28.
• ITS will be holding a series of meetings with students and the Learning and Technology Roundtable to discuss student technology fees throughout January and February. The first meeting is to be held Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Students can view a breakdown of the ITS budget at www.mnsu.edu/its/cio/techfee.
In other senate news:
• MSSA will be sponsoring Meet Your Senators Week Jan. 28 to Feb. 1. Activities will include hot chocolate and doughnuts in the Taylor Center, serving lunch to students in the student union, a Guitar Hero competition in the dorms, a medallion hunt with an iPod Shuffle to be given away and an open house in their office located in CSU 280.
• Senator Vacancies are available in Gage A, Off-Campus and Undeclared.
Brittney Hansen is a Reporter staff writer
Senators raised concern about the way the fee has been presented. Administration went directly to the Board of Trustees with their recommendation and has not yet given a presentation on the matter before the senate. Frederick said he looks forward to having a presentation from administrative officials before the senate within the next few weeks.
Updating the campus recreational facilities is on President Richard Davenport's list of goals and initiatives for 2008. A similar fee proposal was defeated in student referendum last spring.
In other news:
• Director of the Academic Computer Center Wayne Sharp and Director of Technical Services Bryan Schneider presented on behalf of Information and Technology Services (ITS) Wednesday. ITS encompasses web programming, video production, customer support, network infrastructure, as well as academic classrooms and labs.
The total ITS budget before inclusion of the MnSCU IT Initiative funding from the Office of the Chancellor is $6.3 million. Salary accounts for 48 percent of this total budget and is provided by the General Fund. NAI Tech-Fees account for 36 percent or $2.3 million. Meanwhile, only two percent, or $125,000, goes toward institutional equipment. The general fund provides four percent, or $233,000, of this total budget for other equipment.
• Student senators will be sporting new purple polos purchased from Maverick Solutions, a new business started by the Entrepreneurship Club. The group hopes that student clubs and organizations will come to them first with their customized apparel needs instead of going to outside sources.
When asked if they would be competing with the on- or off-campus bookstores - which also sell MSU apparel - Balow responded, "We are not looking to compete with the bookstore, but to set ourselves apart."
The club plans to provide customized apparel to student groups at a discounted rate, as well as Minnesota State apparel with more creative appeal.
"We want to go to the art department and get input from them for shirts and designs," Balow added.
Maverick Solutions has been working with Creative Ad Solutions in North Mankato to produce their products, but hopes to eventually be able to print their own.
"Hopefully a year or two from now we'll be producing our own shirts. Right now we're just working on learning how to start a business," Balow said.
The grand opening for their new store location, located in the old TuneTown behind Boomtown, will be Jan. 28.
• ITS will be holding a series of meetings with students and the Learning and Technology Roundtable to discuss student technology fees throughout January and February. The first meeting is to be held Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Students can view a breakdown of the ITS budget at www.mnsu.edu/its/cio/techfee.
In other senate news:
• MSSA will be sponsoring Meet Your Senators Week Jan. 28 to Feb. 1. Activities will include hot chocolate and doughnuts in the Taylor Center, serving lunch to students in the student union, a Guitar Hero competition in the dorms, a medallion hunt with an iPod Shuffle to be given away and an open house in their office located in CSU 280.
• Senator Vacancies are available in Gage A, Off-Campus and Undeclared.
Brittney Hansen is a Reporter staff writer
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