Managing attorney of the University’s Student Legal Services addressed Undergraduate Student Government at their general assembly this past Monday night on the subject of services currently offered to students.
Rodney Fleming explained Student Legal Services is a non-profit law office with two attorneys available for students for confidential legal help and advocacy. He said the office serves as a separate entity from the University and is funded by an optional participation fee of nine dollars per semester for students.
Over the last five years, Student Legal Services has averaged about 1,500 consultations and 1,200 court appearances per year. They offer assistance for landlord-tenant, criminal-traffic and legal document issues, and 99 percent of students who used Student Legal Services reported they received professional, high-quality legal services.
“Imagine your daily stresses you have right now, but add legal uses on top of that,” Fleming said. “75 percent of students who come to us report that their legal issue was affecting their stress levels. We’re looking to help with that.”
Brad Holmes, a member of the Environmental Action Group, addressed USG during open lobby time to obtain feedback about current ideas the organization has to improve campus sustainability. Specifically, he asked for input about continuing to cut down on campus waste, cutting down food waste in dining halls, composting post-consumer materials, restricting the use of plastic bags and banning the use of Styrofoam.
The University currently has two plastic bag recycling bins on campus in the Union and Falcon Heights, but EAG is concerned students are not aware of these bins or will not go out of their way to use them. An idea Holmes proposed to restrict the use of plastic bags on campus was to implement a 25-cent charge for the use of plastic bags, which would then be used to supply incoming freshman classes with reusable canvas bags.
Bowling Green City Council members Sandy Rowland and John Zanfardino also addressed USG on the subject of housing in town: the council members wished to update senators on housing issues and receive feedback from those who rent properties in town.
Due to decreased regulations and a lack of city oversight, housing conditions for rental properties in town have depreciated over the last 12 years. A Community Action Plan, a report done by two consultants about the housing conditions in the aging parts of town, will be presented to the City Council with 50 suggestions the city can potentially implement to improve housing conditions.
“Bowling Green is about to make decisions, whether major of minor, about housing in town,” Zanfardino said, “and we want to make sure we hear from those of you who will actually be affected.”
USG also discussed:
• The budget for Creed Day. The budget passed by a unanimous vote.
• The upcoming USG presidential debate. A debate between presidential and vice presidential candidates will occur March 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the student union theater. There are more than five candidates running for president and vice president, making it one of the most contested races in years.
