Updates about the changes occurring in the Memorial Union were discussed with the Government of the Student Body at Wednesday’s meeting.

Memorial Union Director Richard Reynolds and Associate Director Gail Ferlazzo spoke to the senate about the multitude of changes the Memorial Union is undergoing, due in part to the continuing support of GSB.

Both directors highlighted the fact that about 2.3 million individuals utilize the Memorial Union every year.

Ferlazzo and Reynolds said they were grateful for the projects GSB has worked on in the past, such as the Multicultural center, which was completed this semester.

In addition, Ferlazzo thanked GSB for projects the group is currently working on, such as upgrading the MU Underground Bowling Center.

Reynolds discussed some future projects with the senate that the Memorial Union would like to have implemented.

Repairs to the stairs leading to the food court are needed. The stairs have sustained damage from years of use and have become a safety hazard. Plans to replace the current stairs with a new set, made from granite from the same quarry as the originals, have been approved.

New members to the public relations committee were seated at Wednesday’s meeting as well.

Peter Choi, liberal arts and sciences senator and senior in psychology, hopes to increase awareness of GSB on campus through weekly or monthly newsletters.

“GSB is doing a lot for students,” Choi said. “But a lot of students don’t know what we’re doing.”

Amy McAfee, design senator and senior in integrated studio arts, also mentioned she would like to raise awareness of GSB.

She said she hopes to teach senators how to talk with their constituents more effectively in order to find out what students want and how GSB can help fulfill their requests. Both McAfee and Choi were seated to the public relations committee by unanimous consent.

Although both McAfee and Choi mentioned that GSB is there to help students, an organization was denied funds for new equipment.

The Educational Video Interest Group is a relatively new organization on campus that consists mostly of major-specific graduate students. The group takes on projects like the creation of educational videos for teacher’s assistants who are not fluent in English.

In addition, the group teaches members how to use various techniques and video for qualitative research. The group came to GSB for a total of $535 for DVDs, digital cameras and other electronics needed to have a successful organization.

While the request for funds was valid, GSB decided that because the Educational Video Interest Group was academic in nature, the group should search for funds from the liberal arts and sciences council.