USC’s student senate passed several pieces of legislation on Sept. 24, including recommendations to revitalize Russell House Underground and bring free printing to the Honors Residence Hall.
Russell House Underground
The senate passed a recommendation to revitalize Russell House Underground. The recommendation is sponsored by Sen. Jacob Sheridan.
Russell House Underground is “outdated in its design, decor, and available equipment,” the recommendation said.
According to the recommendation, Russell House Underground’s website is outdated, which can make booking the space difficult.
Sheridan said bringing modern upgrades to Russell House Underground would attract more of the student body and a wider range of events.
Expanding live performance capabilities, upgrading lounge areas and implementing Esports or entertainment areas are some of the potential upgrades in the recommendation. These changes would create a music and entertainment space that would strengthen campus life, according to the recommendation.
Sheridan also said this legislation aims to expand Russell House Underground’s hours. According to the recommendation, it would be open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Free Printing at the Honors Residence Hall
The senate also passed a recommendation to add free printing to the Honors Residence Hall. This recommendation is sponsored by Sheridan.
Sheridan said students coming to USC’s Honors College are often marketed with having free printing. Once they get to USC, however, they find that free printing for Honors students is located at Harper’s College on the Horseshoe and not at their residence hall, he said.
Harper’s College’s hours are throughout the normal workday, but many students work late into the night, Sheridan said.
“You see a lot of students themselves who are working until 10, 11, 12 o’ clock," Sheridan said. "They want to be able to get their free prints."
According to the recommendation, honors students pay a $750 annual fee which should include access to academic resources where they live and study.
The recommendation proposes giving honors students an allowance of 150 free prints per semester in the Honors Residence Hall, which would improve convenience and campus life, according to the recommendation.
Safeguards around Russell House
The senate also passed a recommendation to implement additional safeguards in areas around Russell House. The recommendation is sponsored by Sen. Matthew Frye.
Frye said there are some stairs without safeguards, such as handrails, in areas around Russell House. This can make it difficult for students with disabilities to get around campus, he said.
“We really need this done for students that have disabilities, (to) make it easier for them to get around campus and to make them feel more welcome and comfortable around here,” Frye said.
The areas that need the most work include “the Women’s Quad entrance by McClintock and the stairs near the gate at Russell House,” the recommendation said.
According to the recommendation, the addition of safeguards would address concerns students with disabilities have and make campus safer.
Rentable Umbrellas
Rentable Umbrellas
The senate also passed a recommendation to provide students with rentable umbrellas at major college and university buildings. This recommendation is sponsored by Sen. Emma Allocco.
According to the recommendation, South Carolina weather can be unpredictable, and many students do not prioritize carrying an umbrella around campus. Those without cars walk to and from class in the rain, the recommendationsaid.
“I’ve been caught in hurricanes outside,” Allocco said. “My books get wet, my backpack gets wet and I have to walk 20 minutes to get to my parking spot.”
Umbrella rental systems have already been successfully implemented at Penn State in 2015 and Tulane in 2019, the recommendation said.
According to the recommendation, the new umbrella system could operate similarly to the to-go container system or function like a paid locker system.
Student senate will meet again on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m.