By Warren Sink – Collegiate Staff
The Grand Rapids Community College Student Alliance convened for the second time of the winter semester on Feb. 5 to discuss budget requests from the Asian Student Union and United States Green Building Council, events in commemoration of Black History Month, and ideas to improve the GRCC Master Plan.
The meeting began with the approval of the Asian Student Union’s budget request of $1,000 for a celebration of the Lunar New Year.
Next was a representative for the United States Green Building Council, whose budget request for $1,478 to send multiple members of the group to a convention in Cincinnati was tabled. However, Victoria Janowiak, Executive Director of Operational Planning, told the representative she has an institutional sustainability budget and was willing to support the group.
Mary Kennedy, leader of the Black Student Union presented four events occurring Feb. 9 through Feb. 13 to celebrate Black History Month.
Then Victoria Janowiak, with the aid of Robert Ferguson, who works for Progressive AE, asked club representatives and student alliance members what could be improved in access, mobility, safety, and food in relation to the GRCC Master Plan, which has included renovations of Cook Hall and other school facilities and is intended to “enhance the experience” at GRCC.
Such enhancers broached by students at the meeting were cleanliness and quality at restaurants on campus and safety on crosswalks at Fountain Street.
Concerning the safety of pedestrians, Janowiak said, “there is conversation within the larger neighborhood about whether or not the city considers bringing Lyon and Fountain to two-way traffic… those conversations are happening at a higher level.”
