Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: News

Senior Rachel Galligan, right, and other members of the Eastern women's basketball team speak to Student Senate about a possible fan bus to be approved at Wednesday night's Student Government meeting in the Arcola/Tuscola room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Galligan said having a fan bus accompany them on their road trip to Nashville, pending their entrance into the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, would bring an extra level of excitement to the game. (Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

While there were no bylaw changes during Wednesday night's Student Senate meeting, the senate discussed legislation introduced at the General Assembly and a possible technology fee increase.

Eric Wilber, student executive vice president, brought the Renewable Energy Center bill to the members' attention.

This bill was introduced Wednesday to the General Assembly floor, with the support of State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, and State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mattoon.

A capital request of $20 million has been asked from the state to help subsidize the cost, Wilber said.

"The entire project's scope, which includes the steam plant, the windmills and wind farm, along with all the other improvements, is a total of $80 million," Wilber said. "Without the windmills, it becomes $60 million."

No estimated date is available for when the bill will pass through legislation, Wilber said. This is because of the overall slowdown of the General Assembly's agenda from budget problems.

In other business, Jackie Alexander, student vice president for academic affairs, said a new technology fee was discussed that may go into effect during the fall of 2010.

The recommended additional fee is $31.25.

The possible increase would be added to the $57.44 already paid each semester by every student.

Of this new fee, $25 will go toward extending the Microsoft license agreement to every student, and $6.25 will fund the transition of making every classroom on campus "laptop friendly."

Additional electrical outlets and wireless Internet in every classroom would be included with this transition.

The laptop room conversion will improve 10 rooms each year.

Jarrod Scherle, Student Senate member, proposed an electronic sign to advertise Eastern events.

This sign would be produced by Daktronics and would cost between $20,000 to $24,000, excluding framing. The sign is hoped to be placed by the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union and would include advertising from local businesses.

In other business, the bill for Student Government banners was passed, costing $116.

Student Senate Speaker Drew Griffin said the banners would help with Student Government's on-campus visibility when members start tabling.

The five allocations on the agenda were tabled for further discussion next week.


Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or at kzyskowki@eiu.edu.

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