Cassie Gerhardt, Assistant Dean of Students, speaks with Student Body President Matt Kopp at last week’s Student Senate meeting. Photo by Nick Nelson/ The Dakota Student

A variety of topics were covered at the UND Student Senate meeting last Wednesday.

Student Body President Matt Kopp updated the group on the presidential search, saying he is looking forward to participating in the interview process in Minneapolis at the beginning of this week.

The Presidential Search Committee is scheduled to interview all of the applicants over the course of two days.

“It will be a long day for all of us, but I am glad to be a part of it,” Kopp said.

Other updates included  announcing the addition of one student to a parking and transportation committee under Student Senate.

That student will be the spokesperson for students in regards to parking issues around campus. With this committee, Student Senate can better understand what concerns the students have with the current parking situations on campus.

Senate also was informed the Master Planning Committee is in the phase of hiring an architect to start the renovation process for different classrooms on campus. Although no specific classrooms have been officially chosen, 100 classrooms are projected to be renovated by 2020.

Meanwhile, the driving service Uber has made contact with UND from its Chicago field office, and there is a development currently underway. The company is based in San Francisco and used in 68 countries.

Kopp is hopeful that the company will come  to Grand Forks within the next 2 years.

“At this point in time we are basically telling them why they should cover the Grand Forks area,” Matt Kopp said.

Uber is an app for any Android or iPhone that has dramatically changed the way people get from place to place. Users can download the app and immediately start requesting rides from any location.

Riders just tap to set their pickup location, request a ride and a driver will accept. Next, they just need enter the address of name of their destination, and the route and ETA will show as well. Drivers are able to utilize their personal vehicles to use in the service.

The hunt for a new UND logo continues, however slow progress is currently being made. The Logo Committee recently met to narrow down the prospective logo agencies down to only four, and progress will go from there.

ND representative Kylie Oversen (D-Grand Forks) who represents District 42, spoke briefly to the Student Senate. Previously a Student Senator at UND, Oversen stressed the importance of the organization.

“Student Senate is so important, even when it seems boring…Student Senate makes a difference in both state and city legislature, not just UND.” Oversen said.

She offered herself as a resource to the senate members for advice, questions, or concerns, and strives to help bring student’s voices to the state level.

Journey Gontjes is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected]