Cars may not be welcome in the heart of campus if President Phil Oldham’s vision for a pedestrian greenway moves forward. “Increasing green space is just one element being considered as we look at what is best for everyone on campus in terms of parking, traffic, safety and aesthetics,” Oldham said.

Kappa Sigma fraternity brother, John Cameron Null, 19, of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., was arrested Friday after allegedly being involved in a dispute with a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Null is charged with reckless endangerment, arson by setting fire to a vehicle and public intoxication.

Potential graduating seniors are up by about 100 students, or 8.7 percent, this spring in comparison to last spring. “Including [graduate] students, there are about 1,325 potential graduating students this semester,” Denise Burgess, administrative associate, said.

Renovations that began at the Fit last year will end this semester. The Fit is getting a new roof this month, which allows replacement of the walking track located upstairs. Approximately 20 years after being built, the Fit began to undergo renovations to update and expand their facilities.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released its annual Crime on Campus Report April 3, which showed Tech’s crime rates are up from last year’s report. “Given that Tech has such a small department, I am very pleased with this year’s report,” said Gay Shepherd, campus police chief, said.

Tech’s Telecommunications department has coordinated with KwikBoost to purchase mobile charging stations for use in several locations across campus. Prompted by the University’s recent purchase of solar powered tables, KwikBoost contacted the Telecommunications department about the possibility of purchasing mobile charging stations that would allow students to charge phones, MP3 players, and other small devices at their convenience.

Hyder-Burks Agriculture Pavilion will transform into an off-road vehicle race track, as Tennessee Tech hosts the 2013 Baja SAE collegiate design tournament, open to the public April 18-21. Hundreds of Baja teams from all across the world will be competing by engineering and designing an off-road vehicle that will survive rough terrain including hills, woods and water.

Press Release

Tech fans could be cheering for Dammit if a recently passed resolution to adopt a live mascot makes its way through the faculty senate. Last Tuesday SGA passed a bill into action entitled “An Act to Adopt a Live Dammit the Dog Mascot.” Senator Drake Fenlon presented the bill to the senate, which passed with a majority vote.

Tech purchased new software last fall that will allow students to become their own advisors. Degree Works is a new software system Tech projects to be implemented and given to faculty Sept. 9, 2013. Students should receive it January of next year. “Right now everything is a little bit ahead of schedule,” said, Robert Hodum, associate vice president for enrollment management and student success.

Due to a scheduling conflict, Aziz Ansari will perform on campus Tuesday, April 30, not April 4 as originally scheduled. Ansari has been invited to perform for a benefit for Hurricane Sandy relief. Preliminary damage estimates from the hurricane that destroyed large parts of New York and New Jersey in late October exceed $70 billion.