|
Requests for Fee
Increases Dominate SGA
By Stephanie Orr
Several raises in student fees
were proposed to the Student Government Association at its
meeting on Sunday. Dr. Chris Miller, vice chancellor for student
affairs said the increased fees needed to be approved in a
timely manner so they could be presented to the central
administration board by Sept. 22.
 Lynne
Price, director of Campus Health Service, spoke at the meeting
to request an 80 percent raise in health fees for the 2006
fiscal year making the fee $27 for the fall and spring semesters
and $13.50 for the summer. The current health fees, which were
approved by student referendum in 2003, are $15 for the fall and
spring and $7.50 for summer.
Price said that the CHS needed to
increase the fees due to budget cuts of 30 percent over the last
three years.
According to Price, the CHS needs
to purchase a $35,000 immunization program in order to organize
student health records. This program will require the creation
of a medical records position in CHS, and the new health fee
would provide the necessary funding. Price also said a portion
of the money would be used to open a dispensary on campus where
students would be able to fill some prescriptions.
Jason Kennedy, treasurer, said he
couldn’t see supporting an 80 percent raise in fees for new
programs when other departments were struggling to maintain the
programs they already had.
Saira Malik, representative from
business and management, said that a dispensary on campus was
not a necessity at this time. Price said that one had been
requested by students, but that if there was not a need it could
be cut.
Tyson Roan, president, said he
was wary of supporting the raise. Roan asked why a higher fee
hadn’t been requested last year. Price replied that she hadn’t
thought it would be necessary. Roan said he was concerned that
requesting the funds from the SGA was a way of “circumventing
the students to get more money for Health Service.” Price said
that was not her intent.
Roan recommended to the SGA that
the fees be raised to $22 for the fall and spring semesters and
$11 for the summer. The SGA voted to approve the higher fees for
2006. This increase should cover the creation of a medical
records position and will be used at the discretion of CHS. The
issue may be reviewed again next year.
“The counseling center and
health service provide valuable services to the campus. Their
position is a bit unique in that they have experienced
significant numbers of students using the services in the past
couple of years, while at the same time funding is cut
drastically due to state appropriations. For that reason I’m in
support of the increase and the fee,” said Roan.
Jonathan GoldbergBelle, director
of the office of international student affairs, and Terri
Jackson, coordinator of the office of minority student affairs,
made a joint fee request at the meeting. They requested a $6 fee
be charged as of the 2006 fiscal year to provide for
international programs. A portion of the money will be used to
subsidize the study abroad program. The SGA voted to approve the
fee.
Kathleen O’Brien, a
representative from USA TODAY, spoke to the SGA about enrolling
in The Collegiate Readership Program. This program allows
colleges to choose a selection of national and local newspapers
and have them delivered directly to campus. The papers are made
available to students in order to promote awareness of the
outside world. The SGA plans to further discuss the possibility
of bringing this program to campus at a later date.
The SGA will next meet on Sept.
26 at 7 p.m. in the PAC conference room G.
The best part of
waking up is Capital Perks in your cup
By Chris Sabo
Move over, Starbucks. Capitol
Perks, the first coffeehouse on campus, offers a refreshing
twist to the typical trendy, over-priced bean grinders.
With its grand opening on August 23rd came a small cult
following. Employee Mike Cherrone said business has been great
and he looks forward to an exciting semester. "Students come in
and out all day. We usually have our largest rush between
classes."
 Behind
the blue curtains on the southeast side of the PAC lays Capitol
Perks. If you’ve cut through the building to get to class or
are looking for a nice place to hang out during inclement
weather, Capitol Perks is a new option.
Early morning eats include donuts,
cinnamon rolls, pecan pastries and soon, fresh fruit. If you're
looking for a quick, early morning blast of caffeine, try a
double espresso added to your beverage of choice. This
combination is sure to keep you awake during your eight o'clock
pre-calculus class.
If McDonalds or Hardee's are
usually involved in your morning routine, try stopping by
Capitol Perks and support your on-campus eatery.
If the phrase "early morning" is not in your vocabulary, relax.
Capitol Perks is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday
and 8 a.m. –2 p.m. on Friday. Lunch snacks include biscotti, ½
pound cookies (which Cherrone referred to as "huge"), and fresh,
all-natural smoothies.
Emelie Laursen, a frequent customer of Capitol Perks, enjoys the
coffee and the atmosphere both inside and also on the outdoor
patio. "I usually stop in sometime early morning for a coffee
before class and then one more afterwards. It keeps me going
all day!"
If you're looking for a weekend
caffeine boost, you will be happy to know Capitol Perks is open
before and during all Friday and Saturday shows at the Sangamon
Auditorium.
Cherrone was busy working
but took a second to tell me their smoothies are definitely the
most popular item. "I'd say we sell between 60-70 smoothies a
day. The raspberry margarita and strawberry banana are by far
the favorites."
In addition to being a convenient, inexpensive option for food
and coffee on campus, Capitol Perks accepts cash as well as
I-Cards.
With the location of Capitol Perks being open-air and inside the
Public Affairs Center (PAC), closing for the evening can be time
consuming. Cherrone entertained the idea of walling off the
area surrounding the
coffeehouse. He said it would help limit the duties required
for all employees and add some personality to the place.
 Another
problem with the location of Capitol Perks is its drainage.
"All we have is a garden hose, we can't even put the coffee
grounds down the sink," Cherrone says. "It's a good thing
however Peggy Dunn collects all of the used grinds and uses them
for fertilizer."
A "perk" of having a coffee house on campus is giving not only
commuter students a place to gather between classes, but
residents as well. Justin Liss, a student at UIS, believes
Capitol Perks is a great place to meet new people. "I've spent
a few afternoons at the Perk and had some great study sessions
with kids in my class. It's nice to have a place to chill while
waiting for my next class."
Whether you're a new student or
old, on-campus or commuter, Capitol Perks offers something for
everyone. I recommend taking a break in between classes and
checking out the newest on-campus hot spot. |
