Student Senate met for their weekly meeting Thursday, April 7 at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212.
The meeting began with student comments and announcements where Class of 2025 President Isaac Kraenbring announced that the changes in regards to the end of year exam policy were passed. The issue they now face is how this policy will be enforced, but Kranenbring said if students face any issues they can bring them to him.
Class of 2025 Representative Emily Guevara spoke on her petition that called for the restructuring of Student Senate. Guevara reported that over 131 students signed the petition in just two days. In order to spread the word about this movement, Guevara posted flyers around campus asking, “Do you believe Student Senate has inadequately represented the student body and hurt relationships with marginalized groups?” When opening the petition via Google Forms, students were asked to list their name and email.
“Student Senate has been a government that has inadequately represented the student body which has develop[ed] harmful relationships with the student body and especially students of color. Student Senate historically failed to create not only an inclusive environment but also a sense of belonging,” the form read. “We are calling on a new structure that is both equitable, fair and representative of all. Thank you for addressing the failures of Student Senate with signing this petition! We thank you for your support. You can come to Student Senate this Thursday, at 3:30 [p.m.] to show support in Hoover 212!”
In reference to the petition, a few students then spoke about their perspective on Student Senate, as members of the student body who are not in Student Senate.
Executive Cabinet Secretary Jalen Belgrave and Class of 2024 Representative Joanna Schultz then presented the Student Assembly, which is what the Student Senate could be restructured into.
Rather than an Executive Cabinet and then class Senates, Student Assembly would be composed of a Speaker, Vice Speaker/Parliamentarian, Secretary/Public Relations Manager, Treasurer and Student Affairs Coordinator. These positions would fall under Chief Officers.
There would then be 18 Senator spots that would consist of six first-years, four sophomores, four juniors and four seniors.
There would then be 18 Representative spots that would consist of four on the diversity board, four for residence life/student support, one for honors council, four for SAAC, four student workers and one graduate student.
There would then be a mix of both internal and external committees for those who fill these positions to sit on.
This referendum was then debated and voted on whether or not be sent out to the student body, in which the vote passed.
Student Senate meets weekly on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212. Meetings are open to all the campus community.
