After a successful Student Appreciation Dinner Student Congress, STUCO, met briefly to go over a few points but didn’t have an official meeting until Nov. 20. There was plenty to be discussed between the three presentations, student complaints, leadership gala and campus construction.
Firstly, Project Outdoor Classroom was presented in hopes of recognition. The project involves the care, communication, and education of Doane’s Nature Explore-certified classroom. The group was formally recognized and received $500 for funding they also have an Instagram, @doaneoutdoorclassroom, where they post updates and events. Next was the Doane Game Development Club, newly organized this year by Computer Science majors. The group was also formally recognized and received the $180 they requested. Posters on the club meetings and purpose have been posted around campus. Additionally, the APO Special Allocation has received more funds.
Following the Student Appreciation Dinner, STUCO has turned its sights to the Leadership Gala which will be held at the Welcome Center on Dec 10. The Gala will have a Winter Wonderland theme. Food will include fried ravioli, mini tacos, cocktail sausages, fruit, cookies and brownies. Refreshments will feature lemonade, water, hot cocoa and sangria.
While the Leadership Gala will have plenty to offer, there have been student complaints about the Cafeteria refreshments. The lemonade in particular has been out for two weeks.
Students have also complained about food on the weekends, saying it is poor quality and frequently runs low. STUCO would like to remind everyone that the napkin containers have QR codes where you can give feedback. Additionally, Lakeside has a staffing issue leading to frequent and random closings of Lakesides. STUCO would like to remind everyone that meal plans can be changed during the semester as long as it’s before census day. This is done through Erezlife.
Mobile ordering was being worked on during Thanksgiving break. STUCO has testers planned during dead week in hopes of having mobile ordering ready next semester. Following the success of their pie-eating contest, STUCO will host an apple bobbing competition. This will be held at the start of finals week, Dec 9. STUCO continues to work towards employing a new Director of Campus Engagement Encouragement. Currently, three are being reviewed.
Lastly, construction on the Communications building has commenced and will change Crete residents’ daily commute. The communication parking lot will be closed along with the one-way road. Additionally, paths leading to the Communication building from the south will be closed. This includes the bridge across Doane Lake, the bridge to Lied and the path along the one-way road. Students have complained that this will require them to take longer paths to their classes and commitments. Icy conditions as it gets colder scare students as well. STUCO believes this is a short-term pain for a long-term pain.
