The Student Senate focused on special events, including an address from Student Body President, Hugh O’Hara, and other guest speakers before shelving proposed bills and bylaw changes and admitting a new Recognized Student Organization.

The senate meeting started with a special presentation by interim President Lou Hencken, who discussed the proposed tuition hike, a choice many Illinois universities face in conjunction with lean economic times, causing decreased state funding.

Hencken stated the most important issue is to maintain academic quality at Eastern and that while raising tuition is a difficult decision, it is better than having to lay off staff members or administration.

O’Hara gave a brief State of the University address acknowledging the academic year’s achievements, including the opening of Booth Library, the University Food Court and the success of the concert committee.

Following the events, the senate approved the Apostolic Center Campus Organization of EIU, a Christian organization, as an officially registered RSO.

A senate bill to allocate $382.50 for printing 9,000 new shuttle bus schedules next year as well as a bill to maintain the route of the current schedule were both tabled until the next Student Senate meeting.

Ronnie Deedrick, Shuttle Bus Committee chair, supported cementing the route for next year, saying, “We weighted the complaints from various constituencies…it didn’t seem like the complaints outweighed the compliments.”

Other issues discussed included the upcoming Student Senate elections and concern over a shortage of student volunteers necessary for staffing the five polling centers.

Student vice president of academic affairs, Jessica Catto, urged students and service sororities to participate by volunteering at the polls and stated that doing homework on the job will be tolerated.