By Dan Henson
Reporter
Student Government debated a bill at length Thursday that calls Baylor’s administration to action to make $10,000 worth of improvements to the Bear Trail.
The bill’s author, Arlington sophomore Dominic Edwards, explained to the Student Senate that the bill calls for the administration to install two stretching structures at the start of the Bear Trail, additional water fountains along the trial, as well as additional lighting and signage showing the correct path to follow.
The stretching structures will cost the administration $7,000, while the water fountains, lighting and signage will cost $3,000.
San Antonio junior Grant Senter said he thought endorsing the administration spending $7,000 on the proposed stretching structures was absurd.
Senter added that he thought the structures look like a playground, would look out of place on Baylor’s campus, and would be a detriment to Baylor’s image.
One student senator commended the bill, saying that the cost of the structures is not too high considering they will last 10-15 years.
Another Student Senator clarified what the structures would include. In addition to stretching equipment, the structures would include a curling bar, a pull-up bar, and several other exercise stations.
After the Student Senate expressed concerns about the cost of the proposed improvements, Edwards explained that the bill will not cost student government a dime.
Edwards added that the structures and other improvements would be something to promote Baylor’s image for prospective students and faculty.
Edwards’ bill passed with a vote of 30 to 11 in favor of calling the administration to action to improve the Bear Trail.
The Student Senate also discussed a bill that would call the administration to action to find a donor to provide Baylor students interning in Washington, D.C., with a house to live in.
When asked what the projected timeline for the housing project would be, the bill’s author mentioned that the chances of the administration being able to find a donor willing to provide a house for Baylor students interning in D.C. this summer are pretty low; he added that the program should be up and running within a year.
Student government hosted special guest Marjorie Ellis, Executive director of Baylor’s office of Career and Professional Development.
“We’re there to show [the students] all of what their options are,” Ellis said, explaining the role of the Office of Career and Professional Development.
Ellis expressed the importance of thinking outside the box in terms of career opportunities.
When asked whether she thought there were any areas of improvement by senior academic affairs chair Cody Orr, Ellis expressed her desire to improve her department by progressively increasing the number of counselors until there are 30 counselors in her department, as well as improving their facilities to make them more accommodating to students seeking their help.
