On Wednesday, Student Senate began to make headway on the lion statue project, discussed possible appropriations to be given and is continuing to focus on increasing their visibility on campus through public relations and advertising for vacant senate positions.

The senate’s capitol improvement committee discussed the status of the Lion statue project, which is estimated to cost approximately $80,000.

Wednesday, the committee voted in favor of spending $25,000, or up to a maximum of $40,000, of senate funds on the project.

The senate has a private donor and a Southern graduate lined up to help fund the project as well as assets that senate will put forth toward the statue.

“We’ve received both positive and negative feedback around campus,” senate president Jonathan Saunders said.

“We think that the landmark will be accepted over time.”

The senate encourages students and faculty around campus to ”speak up” and give it their opinions about the Lion statue, Saunders said.

The capitol improvement committee also discussed adopting a road or highway to take on as a service project among the community.

The finance committee discussed three separate proposed appropriations for possible approval of the senate.

If approved, appropriations could be given to the Native America Student Association (NASA), Sociology club and the Saudi Student Organization.

Follow up on reasons the funds are needed will be covered and proposed to the senate at the next meeting.

The public relations committee discussed the progress and development of their homecoming float and other public relations projects.

The senate is still preparing to log office hours to ensure that students know where to go and where to find members of the senate when a representative is needed in a classroom or event.

They are also making business cards and plan to hand them out around campus.

The senate currently has two vacant seats at the table.

A sophomore and junior senate position are both available. The senate will be advertising to fill the positions.

Voting will take place next Wednesday.