Graduate students voice concerns for housing, fees

Graduate and Professional Student Council did not have enough members to meet quorum Tuesday.

But there were enough present to ask housing and fee questions to Julie Payne Kirchmeier, director of University Housing, and Willie Ehling, director of Recreational Sports and Services.

Several issues arose involving graduate and family housing.

The issue of Wakeland Hall prices, Internet connection and information available online regarding the residence hall were discussed between senators and Kirchmeier.

Alejandro Strong, GPSC vice president for graduate school affairs, said he was concerned about the description of Wakeland on the housing Web site.

Kirchmeier said she hoped there are no mistakes but urged the students to let her know about any errors.

"If there's something in any of the publications we're sending out, on the Web site or even things that may be coming from the graduate school ... that's incorrect, let us know," Kirchmeier said.

Kyle Stevens, GPSC president, said he knew of some concern about the lack of Internet access among graduate students.

However, Kirchmeier said they have already looked at solving the problem.

She said one thing they have discussed is the possibility of either lowering rates of that unit or minimally raising them to make up for what it would cost to provide Internet connection.

The senators also showed some concern about fee increases from the Student Recreation Center.

However, Ehling said the fee increase was the smallest he could make to cover costs.

He said the money would be used to maintain a more "human-friendly" infield for the intramural softball field.

"Basically, the $1.69 is to take care of the infields we're going to get built," he said. "We didn't use to pay that because they didn't take care of it."

Christian Holt can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 259 or cholt@siu.edu.



SOURCE: siude.com