By Rocio Hernandez
Public Comment
John Sagebiel, assistant director of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Environmental Program, and Mike Averett, Assistant Director of Building Services, came to the senate meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5 to discuss initiatives to make the university a more environmentally-friendly place.
They informed the Associated Students of the University of Nevada senators that there are two new Waste Management solar compactors on campus: one in between the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center and Joe Crowley Student Union, the other across the street from the Fitzgerald Student Services Building. Averett said that each compactor compresses the trash within it, which allows it to hold three to four times more trash than the average trash can.
The compactor also comes with a recycling compartment. Averett stated that this makes the compactors some of the few outdoor recycling bins on campus. According to Averett, if his department sees that the compactors are being used frequently, it would look into installing more in the future.
Senator for College of Education resigns
Speaker of the Senate Caden Fabbi read former College of Education Sen. Jade Mack’s letter of resignation. In the letter, Mack expressed her apologies to the senate and students she represented. Mack wrote that she felt the need to resign in order to give full attention to her classes, as she is entering her final semester of college next spring.
Students interested in filling this position can find the job posting on unrsearch.com.
Senators support increasing counseling center fee
Sens. Anthony Ramirez of the College of Engineering and Catie McCrillis of the College of Science presented a senate resolution “in support of the proposed counseling center fee increase.”
Counseling Services aims to increase the counseling fee, which is paid by all UNR students, from $35 to $50. The International Association of Counseling Services recommends that the staff to student ratio be 1:1,000-1,500. If approved, the money raised will be used to lower the staff to student ratio from 1:2,143 to 1:1,500 by hiring additional psychologists.
Sen. Ryan Hood of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, voted for the proposition. While he is generally opposed to fee increases, he said that he thinks that the increase could benefit the student population because the counseling center’s services can improve their mental health and safety.
Sen. Thomas Green of the College of Education said that he didn’t agree that all students should pay the center’s fee if they don’t use the services and therefore, was against the raise.
The resolution passed in a 18-2 vote.
The Board of Regents will make the final decision on the fee proposition during its two-day meeting on Dec. 4-5.
Rocio Hernandez can be reached at rhernandez@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @rociohdz19.
