Questions regarding the recreational center renovations were answered and discussed at length at Wednesday’s Government of the Student Body meeting.

Al Oberlander, principal for RDG Planning & Design, was present at the meeting and was proactive in answering senators’ questions. Oberlander expressed his appreciation and desire for further student input regarding the $52.8 million renovation project.

GSB vice president and senior in history, Maggie Luttrell, stated her appreciation for the renovation committee’s interest in student input.

“Students feel they are really connected and that they are really being heard,” Luttrell said.

Some senators brought up questions about the benefits of the recreation center for students.

Jacob Johnston, off-campus government senator and senior in management, raised a concern about whether or not the failing economy will affect the cost of the project.

Daniel Fischer, GSB president and senior in agricultural business, said he was confident this would not affect the renovation.

“The university finances through regent bonds,” he said. “Those are relatively low-risk. Architects are making sure cost doesn’t exceed the budget. From both sides there’s lots of oversight.”

Additional concerns about parking and the interest the renovation will bring to prospective students were brought up, but they yielded uncertain answers as the project is in its beginning stages.

In addition to the visit from the renovation committee, GSB welcomed new members to the senate.

A bill supporting the allowance of more senate members on University Affairs and Public Relations committee was voted on at Wednesday’s meeting. Nearly all senators voted in favor of the bill and had ideas of ways it could be amended at a later time.

Campustown senator and senior in community and regional planning, Lauren Suerth suggested the implication of Members-at-Large for the committees.

Funds for transportation costs needed by Iowa State’s Water-ski Club for their trip to Nationals occurring Oct. 19, in Phoenix, were allocated to the organization.

President of the Water-ski Club and sophomore in pre-business Daniel Shuman said this will be Iowa State’s third trip to Nationals in the history of the organization.

Aaron Scherer, freshman in pre-computer science, was seated as a new Inter-Residence Hall Association senator.

Scherer echoed previous new senators’ hopes to improve GSB visibility on campus, “especially within the IRHA.” Scherer was welcomed to the committee with a vote of unanimous consent.

An election commissioner was also seated at Wednesday’s meeting. Mark Sullivan, senior in chemistry, was unable to attend the meeting because of a previous commitment. Fischer read Sullivan’s proposal in his absence.

In his proposal, he expressed a need for improvement in the election process. He said efficient communication between each candidate and the elections commissioner is needed. He also said he hopes to have the opportunity to actively recruit new members.