At Thursday night’s SGA Senate meeting, another incident of racial bias came to light, which occurred Wednesday night, according to Jana Lynn Patterson, associate vice president for student life. Calling it a non-violent, but nonetheless “traumatic” situation, she added that more information is expected to be released.
In other news, SGA President Avery Steadman said Elon University will not be providing hoses outside campus residences for Festivus, expected to occur this Sunday, due to concerns over the growing size of the event.
The senate also passed a recycling bill and a recognition of Robin Russell, the Elon University bookstore employee who died March 28. Also, food trucks are due back on campus in early May after a successful first visit.
Recycling initiative bill inset a verb; this is passive and says nothing
A bill presented by sophomore SGA member Kyle Porro and junior Cash Armstrong allocated $1,519.17 to “strengthen the recycling problem.”
According to Porro, a pilot program, which will place recycling bins in every room of three selected residential halls, is expected to begin this fall. If successful, the program will formally launch for the 2016-2017 school year.
Armstrong said he hopes placing a recycling bin in every room will encourage recycling and reduce costs for students because students will not pay for a bin out of pocket.
“From personal experience, I am a lot more willing to recycle than if I have a bin,” Armstrong said. “Reusing bins is better for the environment and cuts costs for students, instead of them buying a new one every year.”
The bill passed 37-0-1. Porro, a sponsor of the bill, abstained from voting.
Bill honoring Robin Russell
Senate members and juniors Robert Danis and Sean Barry presented a bill “acknowledging the heartfelt loss” of Robin Russell, spouse of Alan Russell, associate professor of mathematics. Robin Russell worked at the Elon bookstore and lived with her husband in the Colonnades E faculty apartment, where she passed away in her sleep March 28.
The bill, which passed 38-0-0, also allotted $500 towards the Chaplain’s Fund.
Food truck frenzy
In other news, it was announced that the Food Truck Frenzy hosted Thursday, April 16 sold more than 3,000 tickets, prompting the discussion of more food trucks — this time eight trucks instead of five — coming to campus May 7 or 8.