Issues
S-BOSS has formulated a list of issues they feel are personally critical for the student body and will be relating to St. Olaf administration officials over the course of the summer.
Adequate Provision of Student Space
S-BOSS is concerned that the space will become oriented too closely with the needs of administration because of the inherent space-sharing nature of the building between administration, faculty and students. S-BOSS is hoping to ensure that the space is developed with the needs of students in mind, including spaces to plug in laptops, backpack cubbies, study tables, etc.
The Advancement of St. Olaf’s Sustainability Initiatives
S-BOSS found one of the most startling results of the college strategic plan survey to be the disparity of opinion between the students’ and the board of regents on the issue of the importance of the college’s sustainibility initiatives– students valuing the initiatives highly; the board of regents marginally. S-BOSS hopes that the trend started with the LEED-Platinum Regents Hall will continue, including proper drainage and reuse of rainwater from the roof, bike rakes, and dedicated parking spots for hybrid and electric vehicles.
A Building Completed at Low Cost
St. Olaf students have been exposed to repeated tuition raises the past few years, and despite the amount of these raises becoming comparitively smaller over the last two years, they are price raises nonetheless– not to mention they are occurring in a recession. St. Olaf students want to ensure that the price tag of Tomson Hall will not filter down to students in a disproportionately high amount. $21 million is a big amount, and S-BOSS hopes that students of the moment will not be punished for the sake of the college in the long-term.
