In its first meeting of the year, Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) approved continued funding of the weekend Shuttle Service and Night Taxi, as well as movie tickets to sell at a reduced rate to the student body.
"I think it was a very successful meeting," said At-Large Representative Sam Vitello '13. "It gave all the new reps a chance to know each other and get a feel of...how the dynamic of BSG is going to be this year."
BSG allocated $9,500 in a year-long contract with Brunswick Taxi to continue to provide the weekend Shuttle Service and Night Taxi.
"I think that was a pretty non-controversial bill," said Vitello. "We [have] had that same shuttle every year. We've done business with the Brunswick Taxi for the past five years, I think."
"We haven't necessarily locked down every minute detail," said BSG President John Connolly '11. "The most important thing is to [pass the bill] so students can start using it."
The weekend shuttle runs on Fridays and Saturdays to Freeport, Portland and Cook's Corner. Tickets cost $3. The Night Taxi, which takes students anywhere within a one-mile radius of campus in Brunswick, runs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
BSG also voted to allocate $750 for the purchase of 100 Regal Movie Theater tickets. The movie tickets are provided at a reduced price to students and are available at the information desk in Smith Union.
"We've been working with the corporate office at Regal Cinemas for quite a few years now and that's how we get the discounts," said Connolly. "We subsidize the cost [of the tickets], so we sell them for a little less. We're not trying to make money."
"It's a great thing for Bowdoin students," said Vitello. "The slightest bit of controversy at the BSG meeting occurred around the fact that, up until this point, we were not negotiating with Regal Movie Theaters."
In the future, Vitello said that he hopes BSG will negotiate with Regal Movie Theaters for a greater reduction in ticket prices.
"I think we're going to wait until next semester to discuss that some more. We have some pressing issues we need to attend to first," said Vice President of Facilities Isa Abney '11.
According to Connolly, BSG's first meeting went smoothly.
"I think it went great," he said. "It was a really enthusiastic group that was kind of really excited. Even in the meeting, people were talking, people were active, people were debating issues."
"We got a lot done," Connolly continued. "Very successful."