Blumenthal, administration lead first Student Senate meeting

By Anthony Sperando

COM 360

36-Hour Assignment

Student Body President Jason Blumenthal ran his first meeting on Monday

            The last Bradley University Student Senate meeting of the 2013-2014 school year on Monday, ended with celebration.

            A root beer keg was provided by the senate to all student body officers, senators and the public, along with ice cream to allow for root beer floats.

            The party did not continue for long, as there was business to be done. The student body officers were conducting their first meeting since their election on April 7 and 8. These officers included President Jason Blumenthal, Speaker of the Assembly Sarah Handler, Secretary of the Assembly Olga Krapivner and Secretary of Finance Hunter Vaughn.

            “It was the first time that I’ve been able to be in front of everyone and setting the agenda. I’ve always been someone that was handed the agenda. That’s a large change for me,” said Blumenthal.

           

 2014 Student Body Officers being sworn-in during the April 21 meeting

            Vice-President of Campus Affairs Emily Corona announced this would be her last meeting after serving 3 ½ years on senate.

            “No idea is too big to try to go after,” said Corona when giving advice to her fellow senators. 

            The university will be purchasing bike racks to be placed in front of Markin and Morgan Hall, according to Vice-President of Campus Safety Cody Lonigro. Vice-President Matthew Kern said the speed limit on University East was changed from 25 mph to 20 mph.

            The major discussion of the evening was about the engineering fees being raised from $5 to $50 per class. This is a 100 percent increase. Senator Mitch Ruopp said he received almost 30 complaints about the raise.

            “The equipment is very expensive, so that’s why it was raised,” said Handler.

            Vice-President of Technology Services Mitch Pericak said he was sent an email with the subject “Free Ice Cream” and then was informed about the fee increase. Vice-President of Diversity Affairs Jay Mehta recommended a forum should be created so that engineers can express their concerns to the department.

            The meeting concluded with many of the vice-presidents sarcastically welcoming all of the senators to come back next year. This provided the opportunity for all to look forward to next year.

            Blumenthal said he is extremely excited about what can occur from this new administration and he looks forward to working with Director of Student Activities and Student Senate Advisor Tom Coy, as well as the president of the university, Joanne Glasser.

            “[Glasser] is very excited with the goals I have created. She is willing to help in any way possible to achieve them,” said Blumenthal.

One of the goals Blumenthal’s administration has created is to keep promoting the Brave Life app, which was created earlier in the school year, by Pericek, for fellow students. The app currently has 1,230 downloads and is in the process of being promoted by the university through the marketing department.

“I’m ready for a brave, new future,” said Blumenthal.