USC's student senate passed several pieces of legislation, including recommendations to add new parking parameters to the Horizon Garage on campus and to provide support for professional certifications in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.
Updating campus parking parameters
The senate passed a recommendation to adjust parking parameters at the Horizon Garage. These parameters include implementing new blind spot mirrors, adding automated light indicators to parking spaces and limiting the size of vehicles allowed to park in corner spaces. This recommendation was sponsored by Sen. Oisin Keenan.
Keenan said that the garage has multiple tight corners and spaces that are not properly marked or do not contain parking mirrors for visibility.
According to the recommendation, the Bull Street Garage has added a new lighting system that provides live updates on the parking spaces that are available and not available.
“So this is basically just trying to take all the stress away,” Keenan said. “Make it easier to find a parking spot by the headlights over the top, which (are) red for no space, green for a space, similar to how Bull Street is.”
Adjusting professional certifications
The senate also passed a recommendation to align the virtual computer lab initiative in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing with professional certification and improve access to professional certifications. This recommendation was sponsored by Sen. David Mwakapusya.
Students in the engineering and computing college are becoming increasingly interested in pursuing professional certifications in various technological fields. The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing currently offers courses that use industry-grade or similar technology and tools, the recommendation said.
According to the recommendation, the college has announced a “Virtual Computer Labs” program with a pilot program that will launch in the fall 2026 semester, and this program could help students to prepare for professional certification exams.
The recommendation said the cost of these exams can be a barrier for students and a university-sponsored discount or voucher could improve access. It recommends integrating a “MCEC Professional Certification and Virtual Lab Resource Guide” into the Virtual Computer Labs program.
Other legislation
The senate passed a bill to simplify chapter one of the Student Government codes, which is in regards to executive officers. This bill was sponsored by Chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee Kiki D’Apolito.
The senate tabled several pieces of legislation. The tabled legislation included a bill to expand the office of the student treasurer, a bill to expand the hours of the Gamecock CommUnity Shop and a bill to add resume workshops to new student orientation.
The senate also tabled recommendations to establish guidelines for religious expression by students in the classroom, clean and repair the restrooms in the Humanities Classroom Building, and provide a candidate directory for elections.
At its next meeting, the senate will vote on a recommendation to prohibit first-year students from parking on campus unless they have exemptions.
The student senate will meet again on March 4 in the Russell House Theater.