Kennesaw State University’s Student Government Association announced many anticipated changes in its first meeting of the school year Wednesday, Aug. 24.
A major announcement made at the meeting was the agreement to allow students with Access meal plans to use as many guest swipes as they would like.
KSU’s Auxiliary Services took quick action after a petition regarding use of swipes at The Commons gained more than 3000 signatures on change.org. The policy had planned to limit all students with meal plans to only five guest swipes per semester.
Kasey Helton of Auxiliary Services immediately presented the swipes issue at the meeting and explained that, as of Wednesday morning, students with an Access meal plan would be allowed to use swipes at their discretion.
“We are more than ready to look at our operations critically and make some changes if we need to make changes,” Helton said.
Interim President Houston Davis announced in the meeting that all mandatory commuter meal plans will be phased out beginning with the next school year.
“I accomplished what I wanted with the Access plans,” said Ryan Matzkow, the organizer of the petition. “I’m still working on the freshman plan where you get 10 a week and you’re screwed over with guest swipes, so it’s a process, but I’m halfway there.”
The current policy requires that residential first-year students have the choice between a Weekly-8 or Weekly-10 meal plan in which they are limited to either eight or ten swipes a day, but still only five guest swipes per semester. Matzkow hopes that along with changes to the commuter plans, changes to the first-year residential students will follow. He plans to propose a “roll-over” concept that allows swipes not used one week to roll-over into the following weeks or as guest swipes.
“I want everyone to have the guest access experience, not just those with the Access plans,” Matzkow mentioned.
Students in attendance commended Matzkow for his work and showed their support for the cause.
“It’s a communal thing,” senior international business major Christopher Gasquez said. “We’re all for it.”
Helton declared at the meeting that she and her staff are committed to providing excellent service that is financially responsible. Helton encouraged students to confide with the school and address any issues, promising that they would listen.
“We need to figure out exactly what students want,” Helton said. “We want to spend your money on the things that you want.”
Helton also touched on issues regarding parking and transportation. There is no expectation for a new parking deck, as the costs would be directly passed onto students. Students can anticipate an update to the app used to navigate B.O.B and possibly other off-campus locations for parking.
The next SGA meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7 on the Marietta campus in the student center Ballroom AB.
