By Brooke Moody–

After an eventful summer for the university, U of L’s Student Government Association met for the first student Senate Meeting of the academic year.

SGA President Aaron Vance began the meeting by addressing the U of L Foundation meeting that was abruptly canceled Monday.

“Some things are still being worked through for the foundation meeting that was canceled for ambiguous details that I do not know,” Vance said.

In relation to another controversy from the past summer, in the upcoming weeks the executive board will discuss the action to appoint two trustee members to the senate to enable normal functioning of the board of trustees.

“There is invested interest from many of the trustees to know how students feel about the matter,” said Vance.

After continued concerns regarding safety on campus, a safety committee has been appointed.

“It is one of the biggest projects I want to work on this year,” said Services Vice President Lauren Greenwell.

Also announced during the meeting, students can expect fencing to be put up around the student annex as a part of the SAC renovations. The fencing, which will be erected in the upcoming weeks, will detour foot traffic from the parking garage and make room for demolition to begin on the annex.

Included in the discussion on ongoing campus construction, Greenwell gave an update on dining-related changes. In summary:

  • The P.O.D Market taking place of SubHub in University Tower will be opening
  • Tulip Tree Café has been shut down for the construction of the new Starbucks. Students can expect those renovations to take until December. Until then, a small coffee station will be available in its place and students can continue to study in the area surrounding the café
  • Twisted Taco will be opening in a few weeks
  • Construction of Au Bon Pain at Kornhauser Health Science Library will begin and should be completed by December

Other initiatives discussed include an initiative by Executive Vice President Amanda Nitzken to get feminine products provided on campus and one by Medical School Council President Natalie Bilchuk to address university health insurance.

“Students approached me, who are non-traditional, who found it nuts that the more than $1,200 that they pay per semester doesn’t include dental care,” said Bilchuk.

The senate will meet again in two weeks to continue the discussion on these initiatives.