On Wednesday, Wilkes University’s Student Government held its weekly meeting.

Purvit Patel delivered the club report for the Badminton Club. Right now, the club is trying to reserve a permanent spot in the RAC so they can play, but this is proving to be difficult with winter sports needing to practice. Practice spots will be more accessible during the spring semester.

Emma Leach gave the club report for the Pre-Law Society. The club meets once of twice a month and they usually take LSAT practice tests during their meetings, which is the test they need to pass to gain admittance into law schools. On March 29, the club will hold a law day, where both Wilkes students and students form local high schools will be able to participate in panel discussions. The club plans to volunteer at CEO Food Bank in December.

Cody Morcom delivered the club report for Phi Beta Lambda. The club currently has about 50 members. They participated in the alcohol awareness walk, plans to participate in the March of Dimes and judge for FBLA events. Phi Beta Lambda is currently selling Gertrude Hawk candy and they will be selling beanies soon as another fundraiser. They are planning to attend the state competition on April 10 in Harrisburg.

Dean Gretchen Yeninas came into the meeting to introduce herself. In August, Yeninas became the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. She deals with disciplinary issues, as well as complications and problems that students have. She is currently working with students who live off campus and she recently formed the Off-Campus Wilkes Liaisons (OWLs) committee.

Yeninas and Sarah Bedford, commuter council president, are working closely with OWLs to help alleviate some parking problems on campus. They are looking to create a restricted boundary area so that any students who live in walking distance of campus will not be allowed to have on-campus parking permits.

This will alleviate a large amount of the commuter parking issues. In addition, all incoming freshmen will follow the same deadline as the rest of students and there will be a parking application schedule that would need to be followed. Another change in parking is that all lots on campus will be open to anyone from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., as opposed to 4:30 p.m., which is the current policy. All of these changes are supposed to go into effect in January to then be installed in the Fall 2016 semester.

The captains of the Cheerleading squad, Melissa Zappala, Jessica Baker and Gavrielle Mele made a fund request to Student Government last week. They requested $5,000 so they can go to nationals in Florida. The $5,000 will cover registration, the hotel and parking at the hotel. This is the biggest college cheerleading competition in the country. Last year, they placed 10th, but they are aiming to be in the top three.

The cheerleaders are conducting numerous fundraisers to help alleviate the cost of nationals, such as selling Yankee candles, Pond Creek candles and caramel apples. They also have sponsors, which help to alleviate the cost. The team has practices or tumbling every day as they prepare for nationals. The have a new coach, new uniforms, and bigger team, which will really benefit them. Student Government voted to allocate $263 per person, up to $5,000 with the stipulation that any unused money comes back to Students Government. The motion passed with 22 in favor, 11 opposed, and one abstained.

Kellie Palko, President of the Veterans Council, came in to make a fund request for T-shirts. The club would like to give out T-shirts to encourage students to come to a free Self Defense Seminar, which will be help on Feb. 23 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The club is requesting a maximum of $500 to cover the cost of the T-shirts. Student Government will vote on this next week.

The council reviewed the treasurer’s report and the current budget is as follows: All College: $749.88, General Funds: $2,584.26, Conference: $2,662, Spirit: $791.00 for a Student Government total of $6,787.14.