Student Senate members announced there is a panther landmark in early development at their meeting on Wednesday in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The 8-foot tall landmark will reportedly be placed in next to the Union in the Library Quad.

The landmark will consist of a mound of sculpted rock with a panther on top, similar to the landmark at Marty’s.

Bianca Tomlin, the University Enhancement Committee chairwoman, said the design and placement of the statue is still tentative.

The project will cost $75,000 to create.

Tomlin said financing the project is one of the most important aspects she is focusing on.

Student Body President Kaylia Eskew said the funding will not be taken from student fees.

“We don’t want to pull that money away from other areas,” Eskew said. “It doesn’t mean we wont get any of it.”

A couple of ways they plan on financing the project is allowing the sculpted rocks at the base to be sponsored as well as host online auctions.

 “We are toying back and forth, figuring out if they’re going to be sponsored rocks,” Tomlin said. “Because I know I want to do bricks around it that are going to be commemorative bricks for alumni or whoever donates to it.”

She said the University Enhancement Committee wants to a have a memorable landmark for Eastern.

“Eastern doesn’t really have one,” Tomlin said. “I would hate to say that Marty’s panther is a landmark at Eastern.”

Eskew said she hopes it will be a tradition for graduation for students to touch the panther paw as they pass.

The project is expected to be complete by Homecoming 2014.

The senate also approved 12 student government positions.

Mariah Wallace, Alaysia Mitchell, Katherine Kade, Nicole Burlingame and Gregory Schoonover were approved for the Student Supreme Court positions.

The senate also approved Brandon Goodman and Josh Staske to the Bond Revenue committee, who decides the housing and dining costs for the next year.

Lauren Price was approved for the vice chairwoman for the Student Action Team, and Coleman Covington was approved for the assistant vice chairman for the Student Action Team.

Alex Woods was appointed as the Student Action Team secretary.

Cameron Stone was appointed to the College of Education and Professional Studies Grade Appeals Committee.

The approval for Yameira Church as the student dean to the College of Arts and Humanities also went through.

Danielle Swindel was appointed as the student representative for the College of Arts and Humanities Grade Appeals Committee.

Lastly, Kathryn English was appointed to the Committee on Reinstatement.  

Student Senate’s next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Arcola-Tuscola room of the Union.

Jarad Jarmon can be reached at 581-2812 or jsjarmon@eiu.edu.