Thursday, March 1, 2018 the Elizabethtown College Student Senate met in Hoover 212.
As all meetings do, it began with a Call to Order by senior Senate President Sean Fiedler. Following the Call to Order at every meeting is the Special Orders section, which includes guest speakers, Oaths of Office and more. In this meeting, junior James Spearman took the Oath of Office to become a representative for the Class of 2019.
There was the Student Comments and Announcements section of the meeting. During this section, representatives can raise issues and so can any students who attend the meeting. Sophomore Paige Oustrich brought up the issue of the student walkouts that will be occurring in high schools throughout the country.
Many colleges have been announcing that disciplinary action received from participating in walkouts will not affect a student’s chance of getting into the schools, and Oustrich was wondering whether Etown’s acceptance policies will join that of these other colleges.
Administrative Reports was the next portion of the meeting. Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Marianne Calenda, Campus Security Director Andrew Powell, Office of Student Wellness Director Bruce Lynch and Director of International Student Services Kristi Syrdahl came to the meeting and discussed their departments.
This week, the representatives from Student Life and the Office of Student Wellness had nothing to report.
Powell spoke about the possibility of card access to the Schreiber Quadrangle Commons being added over the summer. He also said that there was some confusion about the email sent about the parking at Wolf Field and that only the row of cars directly next to the field needs to move for the construction trailers.
A footbridge and fences were added around the apartment complex over spring break to prepare for the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being. Syrdahl also spoke about the Ireland-themed Global Eats dinner that took place the evening of March 1.
Executive Cabinet Reports followed the Administrative Reports, in which all members of the cabinet report on the goings-on in their section. Fiedler always begins this section, and this week he began with the fact that the Senate office now has new furniture in it.
He moved on to say that the Orientation Committee met with Director of Student Transition Programs professor Jean-Paul Benowitz and is forming many concrete ideas about the changes and responsibilities coming to the committee for the upcoming year. He then said that RSPC will be having a joint meeting with the executive council and administration to talk about the mission statement. Senior Vice President Ally Killen then said that Spring Retreat for senate members will be March 17. Young and junior Treasurer Josh Baker had nothing to report.
Clubs Chair Sarah Conway then said that Club Council met that Tuesday. Senior Elections Chairperson Zach Dennin said that the scholarship window opened and will be open until March 16. Sophomore Publicity and Marketing Chairperson Emily Perry spoke about Senate in the Concourse, which will be happening March 15, and Blue Jay Day, which will be April 4.
The senate then spoke about old business (things that have already happened) and new business (things that will be happening). Both had nothing to report for this week.
Committee Updates began with sophomore Representative Hannah Paymer speaking about the housing committee which is ad hoc (not yet official) that she is trying to start.
The committee will meet with Associate Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life Allison Bridgeman and can include students who are not in Senate if they choose to attend meetings. She is trying to find interest in the committee.
Then came the Class Updates, where the presidents of each class speak about what is happening in the College community. The presidents of the first-year’s, Andrea Guscott, and the sophomore’s class, Holly Francescone, had nothing to report. The president of the junior class, Brendan McDonough, then told the senators who could to try to buy tickets to Junior/Senior, which will be happening Saturday, April 7.
Finally, the president of the senior class, Gaia Lazzarini, said that Chick-fil-A night was a success and that they are working on Senior Week.
Student Senate will meet Thursday, March 15 at 3:40 p.m. in Hoover 212 for their Senior Staff Meeting.
