Student Senate met for their weekly meeting Thursday, Feb. 3 at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212.
The meeting began with a special order for a report from Vice President for Enrollment Management John Campoli. Currently Elizabethtown College is 22 percent up in applications and 40 percent in applications compared to two years ago.
The retention rate from first-year to sophomore year is between 84 and 88 percent, with the national average ranging from 60 to low 70s.
This was the first week that the new amendment, that includes reports being sent out with the agenda, and only new addition to the reports and questions being done during the first half of the meeting.
Starting with administrative reports, Director of Housing and Residence Life Jenn Azevedo reported that the spring break housing form will be opening soon. Any students that wish to stay on campus over spring break must fill out this form.
Moving onto student comments and announcements, Student Senate Executive Treasurer Jalen Belgrave announced that the NAACP is partnering with the RecWell to hold a variety of financial literacy workshops, the first being Feb. 23 that focuses on the topic of managing debt. To register, email recwell@etown.edu.
Class of 2025 Representative Kyle Moriarty raised a question about the College’s policy moving forward with masks, as many colleges are beginning to lift the mask restrictions. Crowder explained that the College will continue to follow CDC guidelines.
Moving in Executive Cabinet reports, Executive Senate President Andrew Furman reported that Dean of Students & Executive Director for College Diversity, Equity and Belonging Nichole Gonzalez has been looking into moving Senate meetings into Gibble Auditorium to allow for a larger space.
Clubs Chair Alexander D’Amico reported that he met with Associate Dean of Students for Community Living Jenn Crowder and Assistant Director of Student Activities and Commuter Engagement Brooke Hollinger to begin plans for a spring yard sale. D’Amico also reported that the committee has been continuing plans for the spring horse event.
Elections Chairperson Cece Sadek reported that scholarships will remain open until March 11 and winners will be voted on March 17.
Moving into committee updates, Traditions Committee Chair Riley Becker reported that traditions committee is helping to collaborate with clubs committee for the planning of the horse event.
Moving into new business, the remaining amendments from the previous meeting were the topic of discussion, starting with the amendment that would cut down the number of class representatives from eight to four.
Since the question period happened last meeting for this amendment, it jumped right to debate. Eventually, it was motioned to move into a vote in which the vote did not pass.
The final amendment up for debate was one that would have senate meetings be bi-weekly instead of weekly. Questions and debate were held on the amendment.
Concerns over students’ involvement were raised, in regards to the standard has always been that the Senate meets weekly in Hoover 212, so by having it bi-weekly may confuse students who may want to sit in on meetings.
In contrast to this, it was hoped that having bi-weekly meetings would lead to more work to be able to be done in the committees.
Eventually, it was motioned to move into a vote in which the vote did not pass.
The meeting was then motioned to move into an executive session.
