Student Senate looks to ban smoking outside Milo Bail, introduce new parking options on campus

UNO students who mingle in the Milo Bail Student Center might have to find a new place to take a smoke break in the future.The Student Senate passed a resolution on March 4 in support of banning all tobacco products (with the exception of smokeless tobacco) under the covered walkways and entryway of the south exit of the Milo Bail Student Center.

The reasoning behind the support incorporated health concerns for students walking through the high-traffic area. The resolution, written by Sens. Kyle Schulze, Stefanie Hoffman and Marshal McGovern, said students could suffer from health problems triggered by smoke trapped under the covered doorway and blown indoors.

The senate passed three other resolutions including the supporting a pilot program to improve students' parking options on campus, an impeachment and a letter of condolence.

Another significant point of interest that was brought to table by Sen. Gerard Wellman was "Pass to Class," a pilot program that would provide more public transportation options for UNO students.

The senate observed that two-thirds of the nation's metropolitan universities offer subsidized fares for public transportation to students, while public transportation costs twice as much per semester as a commuter parking pass at UNO. This, it cited, leads to parking and traffic congestion, excess fuel emissions and an underused bus system.

For many UNO students involved in class and campus activities, international students, students looking to be more environmentally friendly and students who can't finance personal transportation, UNO is looking to collaborate with Metro Area Transit. MAT has committed $20,000 to cover half the cost of the program.

Next, Freshman Class Sen. Ephraim Hintz was impeached for failing to attend three Senate meetings and three weeks worth of office hours. Three missed Student Senate sessions is cause for impeachment, according to student government bylaws.

Hintz was elected as one of the two senators last fall with 132 votes. Who will fill the position has yet to be determined. The next candidate in line for the position last fall was Devin Bertelsen with 123 votes.

The Student Senate also resolved an official letter proposed by Sen. McGovern and Executive Treasurer Shari Tangeman expressing condolences to the family and friends of Sumner "Scott" E. Copple III, a member of the Department of Accounting at UNO before his death. Copple taught multiple classes, and was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Accounting Teacher by accounting students in 2003.

He was a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, the internship coordinator for accounting student interns and also contributed to several committees and councils for Accounting and College. It was for these and other accomplishments that the Student Senate acknowledged Copple's contributions to UNO students looking to be more environmentally friendly and students who can't finance personal transportation, UNO is looking to collaborate with Metro Area Transit. MAT has committed $20,000 to cover half the cost of the program.

Next, Freshman Class Sen. Ephraim Hintz was impeached for failing to attend three Senate meetings and three weeks worth of office hours. Three missed Student Senate sessions is cause for impeachment, according to student government bylaws.

Hintz was elected as one of the two senators last fall with 132 votes. Who will fill the position has yet to be determined. The next candidate in line for the position last fall was Devin Bertelsen with 123 votes.

The Student Senate also resolved an official letter proposed by Sen. McGovern and Executive Treasurer Shari Tangeman expressing condolences to the family and friends of Sumner "Scott" E. Copple III, a member of the Department of Accounting at UNO before his death. Copple taught multiple classes, and was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Accounting Teacher by accounting students in 2003.

He was a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, the internship coordinator for accounting student interns and also contributed to several committees and councils for Accounting and College. It was for these and other accomplishments that the Student Senate acknowledged Copple's contributions to UNO.