The Student Senate voted 21-1 in favor of removing the textbook rental hourly cap for the 2003-2004 school year.

The cap is currently set at $95.15 for 12 or more semester hours.

Currently, students taking 12 or more hours pay the maximum fee of $95.15.

If approved by the Board of Trustees, the $7.95 hourly rate will be applied to each credit hour taken, regardless if the total exceeds 12.

With the removal of the cap, “you’re paying for what you get,” said Amy Leonard, student vice president for business affairs.

“If we do not pass this cap removal, we are going to see a very large fee increase in the future,” said Student Senate member Josh Jewett. “By taking away the cap, that red number gets smaller and smaller.”

Marty Ruhaak, student executive vice president, had a different opinion.

“This is bad timing,” he said. “This is something that does not need to happen today.”

The senate’s approval followed a proposal by Dan Klingenberg, director of textbook rental services, to increase the fee by an additional 4 percent at Tuesday’s Tuition and Fee Review Committee meeting.

“I am pleased,” Klingenberg said referring to the senate’s decision to pass the removal of the cap.

“We are still going to be the lowest (university) by far compared to other universities (in terms of textbook prices),” said vice president for student affairs Shirley Stewart.

The Student Senate voted unanimously to allocate $400 from next year’s fiscal budget for the printing of new shuttle bus schedules.

“Four hundred dollars will roughly get us about 4,000 schedules,” said senate member Brian Scios.

With the completion of 202 shuttle bus surveys, Scios said he will begin working on new shuttle bus routes.

Speaker of the Senate Bill Davidson delivered his State of the Senate address, highlighting the accomplishments of the Student Senate members.

Elections for the new Speaker of the Senate followed Davidson’s address.

Mike Walsh was named Speaker of the Senate for the fall 2003 semester.

The senate voted on and named its “senators of the semester” and of the year.

Larry Ward, newly elected student vice president for business affairs, was named “senator of the semester.”

Senate member Ryan Herdes was named “senator of the year.”

“He’s the James Brown of Student Government, the hardest working man,” said aenate member Jessica Jarrett.

The senate passed a resolution recommending additional security at next year’s Homecoming Parade.

Those marching in the last parade complained of items being thrown and foul language directed at those marching in the parade.

The resolution upholds Eastern’s Student Code of Conduct which allows an individual or a group to be punished for inappropriate action.

Senate member Kyle Donash said increased security measures at the parade could include students acting as parade marshals and fining individuals for inappropriate behavior.

The senate also passed a resolution suggesting Eastern restrict purchases of coffee to only Fair Trade Certified Companies.

“This is a vary possible thing,” said senate member Lauren Kluge. “It’s going to happen at Java B & B next year.”

Senate members also suspended bylaws to pass a bill to extend routes for the Bus One route of the Panther Express. A new route to Coleman, County Market and Art Park West will be added.

Newly elected senate members took their seats for the first time during the meeting.