SAS Supports Changes to Wesleyan Wheels

In the weeks leading up to Spring Break, the Student Affairs Senate focused its attention on two pressing issues. The first concerned Wesleyan Wheels changes, and the Chicago Urban Cultural Immersion Trip was the second.

On Mar. 2, SAS discussed SR-13. The legislation asked that SAS approve the new contract made for Wesleyan Wheels. Two changes were made to the old contract. First, the program is now limited to provide rides from off campus locations to on-campus locations.

Previously, the program gave rides to students to other off-campus locations, but the ad hoc Wesleyan Wheels committee found that allowing students to be taken to off-campus locations resulted in people, former Nebraska Wesleyan University students in particular, abusing the program. "This committee was created to cut costs…and also to cut abuses," said Travis Johnson, the committee's co-chair.

Second, the contract now restricts the cab company from reporting names back to campus.

Cab companies will take the students' names and student ID numbers, but those numbers will not be reported unless a unique circumstance should arise, making
the university need to conduct an investigation.

Overall, much support was generated for the legislation. "I think this program overall is needed in the Senate to control our budget and our spending," said Jessica Danson, Student Body President. SR-13 passed.

On Mar. 9, the Student Affairs Committee introduced SR-14, which concerned the SAS sponsorship of the Chicago Urban Cultural Immersion Trip. The trip is a five-day program being held over Spring Break, during which NWU students have the opportunity to experience some of the different cultures present in the Chicago area. It is an event that SAS has funded in past years. The trip's organizers requested up to $2,532.30 be allocated; however, money will be given back to SAS as the trip has also been granted Wolfe funds.

Some debate occurred over whether or not the trip should be funded this year. "I don't think we should fund this kind of trip at all," said Evan Janzen, in arguing the trip was similar to other Spring Break trips students take that do not receive SAS funding.

"I have been on this trip, and I can tell you it is not a vacation," said Meera Bhardwaj in response. "It's about opening your world view, and I strongly support this trip."

In the end, SR-14 passed. SAS will resume meetings the Tuesday
immediately following Spring Break.