By Kirsten Mahon/tr news editor
While student parking issues were handled delicately, ideas of introducing a discount card for students and redistributing study spaces were introduced in recent TR Campus student government meetings.
Brian Stewart, TR vice president of academic affairs, and Adrian Rodriguez, TR vice president of student development services, have attended meetings to aid the Student Government Association in its actions.
Parking tops the list of things to improve, but Stewart offered help with the study spaces issue and gave pointers on the discount card.
“The cafeteria is one that we are working very hard on,” Stewart said. “I get that question all the time about the cafeteria staying open later, but the bigger question I get is about the price.”
The association is concerned that students under the poverty line are most affected by the meal prices in the canteen. Members have discussed the possibility of a discount card to use on campus if agreed upon by Educational Catering, the campus food service provider, or a card offering discounts with outside businesses, including gas stations and local restaurants.
While the association searches for solutions, ECI is also looking to expand its food selection in the coffee shop so students needing a snack after lunch have a wider variety. TR administrators are currently working with ECI to extend its hours.
The association also wants to tackle the study space shortage. These spaces originally were designed to keep students on campus between classes. With the study space elimination on various floors in the East Fork building, students now must study elsewhere or simply leave campus.
The spaces are normally occupied during the busiest times of day by some studying students and also by sleepers, social media butterflies and Netflixers.
Rodriguez encouraged the association to attend TCC trustee board meetings to make themselves more visible to the people who can pull the strings.
“That’s what we’re missing,” Rodriguez said. “We need a student voice.”
Many ideas discussed to make changes around the campus require funding, and the business relationship between the association, faculty and student body need a foundation to make it possible.
Association president Chani Neff said she wants to make sure the association avoids being redundant in its actions.
Keeping good contact with the necessary authorities will keep the association informed about issues already being reworked, she said.
