Senate is Working Hard for YOU!

Senate has been very busy this fall! We are ahead of schedule on many tasks like our survey and we are diligently working on the following issues on campus:

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1. Smoking Policy [ongoing]
-Should smoking be banned on campus?
-Should Calvin transition to become a smoke-free campus?
-Are smokers' pits located in community-friendly places?
*Latest update: Senate has assigned the issue to a Senate committee. The committee is investigating campus attitudes and opinions concerning smoking and is expected quality data from the Student Senate Survey. Once all things are taken into account, the committee will submit a proposal to the full Student Senate and will take action accordingly.

2. DeVos Communication Center Open Sunday [completed!]
-Students were concerned that there were not enough venues for studying on Sunday
*Latest update: After discussions with key administrators, the decision was made to open the DeVos on Sundays from 1pm-6pm with extended hours during exams. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

3. New Mascot! [ongoing]
-After many years of the same, hot-dog-looking mascot named Cal Calvin, Senate has decided to get the job DONE and get a new mascot that we can be proud of in the new Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex.
*Latest Update: Senate has received preliminary designs and will tweak the designs based on student input from the Student Senate Survey. Senate is hoping to have a new mascot by the time of the dedication of the new facilities.

4. Parking Issues [ongoing]
-Would raising prices alleviate space and environmental concerns?
-Should designated parking areas have pricing differences?
*Latest Update: Senate is waiting on preliminary discussions and the survey before moving forward.

5. Dining Hall Hours [ongoing]

-Senate is looking into the possibility of having dining hall hours being made more flexible (one dining hall opening earlier and the other closing later) to accommodate those with varying schedules.

6. TV Channels [ongoing]

-Senate is investigating what TV channels students want and will make a proposal to Residence Life.

7. Gym Hours on Sunday [ongoing]

-Areas of the fieldhouse will open for Sunday use in January 2009

8. New Sand Volleyball Court [ongoing]

-Senate is looking into the possibility of a 2^nd sand volleyball court near the dorms

9. Community Bike Program [beginning Spring '09]

-Bikes will be available for rental beginning in the Spring of 2009 at each dorm and in the Student Senate office for Off-Campus students
-Many thanks to the Calvin Bike Club for making this a reality