Undergraduate Student Senate has received more than 30 applications for its upcoming Undergraduate Student Government election on March 10 and 11, Executive Director Katie Hale said at the group’s meeting yesterday.

She said though some positions have received no applicants and several positions are uncontested, the number of applicants this year doubles that of last year. The deadline for candidate applications is Feb. 8.

The group also heard from two speakers about book prices, used book sales, availability and software prices.

“We have some tough competition on this campus” said Michael Marquardt, Kent State Bookstore director. “Unfortunately, text book prices are too high. I’ll be the first one to admit it.”

Joe Ortiz, associate professor of geology, spoke to USS about undergraduate research grant awards available to students in $500 increments. Ortiz hoped USS could help promote the opportunity to the student body.

“We want to give students the opportunity to participate in scholarly research,” Ortiz said. “You can use this award to help accomplish some task you couldn’t do otherwise.”

– Jenna Staul