The EIU student senate heard a presentation pertaining to companies that could provide services on campus at its meeting on Wednesday. 

According to a presentation by Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) Anne Flaherty and Director of Procurement Services Megan Wells, the university put out a request for information (RFI) for potential services for the EIU bookstore, textbook rental services and for digital consumable products like E-books. 

The RFI went out to see what options are available as the digital consumable products are currently not included in the fees for textbooks. 

“We are hoping our RFI process will help us identify a company that can help us better deliver those products to students but doing so in a way that won’t drastically increase your fees,” Flaherty said. 

The university heard back from five companies, three of which were brought to campus last week, according to Flaherty. 

The names of the companies are not being released currently. 

“They’re proposing enhanced services, including renovating the bookstore, potentially providing these digital access codes, enhancing what books are available [and] other digital resources,” Flaherty said. 

She said that the textbook rental fee is $8.75 per credit hour and that these proposed changes would put service fees between $18 and $25 per credit hour. 

“All this doesn’t mean we are going to do this,” Flaherty said. “It’s very exploratory.” 

Members of the senate were asked their thoughts on what ideas they would like to see, which included revamping the bookstore and adding more merchandise related to departments and to sports teams. 

Also at the meeting, the student government unanimously approved the College Republicans at EIU as an official RSO with College Republicans at EIU President Ben Anderson, a sophomore political science major, speaking to the student senate. 

Anderson said that one goal of the RSO is to help with voter activity. 

“I have met with Coles County Republican Chairman Mark Esarey, and he alluded to me that the precincts on campus not only struggled for Republican voter activity but just voter activity in general,” Anderson said. 

Anderson said another goal of the RSO is for students to feel open about being a Republican. 

“I struggled to be an open Republican on campus,” Anderson said. “I’d like to help people get more comfortable earlier.” 

The RSO has already held an unofficial meeting in collaboration with the EIU Democrats.  

“I’d love to continue that and work with as many political organizations as possible,” Anderson said. 

Sen. Emilee Boyd spoke on the RSO. 

“I do hear a lot of people speak openly about being Democrat,” Boyd said. “I think Republicans should have the same opportunities.” 

Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) Claire Weber spoke positively about the RSO. 

“I think it’s great,” Weber said. “Especially an RSO that is meant to be a space for people to feel welcomed regarding their beliefs.” 

Speaker of the Senate and President of the EIU Democrats Megan Fox also spoke positively about the RSO and the dual meeting held by the two organizations. 

“The event we had last Friday was so wonderful, and I look forward to all this political unity on campus that you are going to spread,” Fox said.

Jason Coulombe can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].