Two-thirds of ISU students have debt, according to results of the 2008-2009 Government of the Student Body survey that were shared with the GSB senate at Wednesday’s weekly meeting.

Daniel Fischer, GSB president and senior in agricultural business, wrote the survey. It was proofread by professors in the psychology department and was available for students to fill out for two weeks.

There were 15,000 students who responded to the survey.

“I was happy with the demographics of the respondents — they were reflective of the makeup of the overall student body,” Fischer said.

According to the results of the survey, “a strong majority” of ISU students are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their overall academic experience.

Results of the survey also found 60 percent of students have never attended a multicultural event at Iowa State. Results showed that most students know about GSB, but do not know the representative of their constituency.

Fischer read the results of the survey to the senate and asked senators for their insight regarding the results.

The finding of the majority of students not attending multicultural events raised questions.

Jacob Wilson, sophomore in political science and off-campus senator, asked Fischer if he had spoken to the director for diversity to ask how to address the lack of interest.

Fischer said he spoke with Dione Somerville, dean of students, and came to the conclusion that publicity for these events would be the best solution for the minimal attendance.

In addition to the survey results, the senate voted in favor of inserting a definition of constituency council into the bylaws.

According to the bylaws, “through the use of meetings with constituents, the organization shall facilitate the flow of information from student to GSB and vice versa.”

The Recreation Center Renovation and Expansion Planning Committee visited GSB, giving senators the opportunity to ask questions about the renovations to the Lied Recreation Athletic Center and expansion to State Gym. Senators raised questions regarding the sustainability of the new building, which Paul Klein, project manager for RDG Planning and Design, said is expected to be LEED gold certified.

GSB also voted in favor of allocating $555 for trainers for the ISU Triathlon Club. Matthew Moehn, president of the trathlon club and senior in agricultural systems technology, said a trainer is a device that allows cyclists to use a bicycle indoors.

GSB also voted in favor of a bill that revised chapter 13 in the GSB bylaws.