Student Senate’s meeting Thursday, Sept. 20 began with a special order: the Oath of Office for new senators. The student comments section followed the special order, raising questions, which other senators or faculty answered. Among these was the question of why only one level of American Sign Language is offered at Elizabethtown College. Vice President for Student Life Dr. Celestino Limas responded during his administrative report that there have been talks of expanding the program, which he is personally interested in.
Another senator asked if the construction behind the tennis courts was related to the building of the new Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being. Campus Security Assistant Director Dale Boyer answered that it will theoretically be a parking lot, which Limas further described in his report. The College received a match grant for one million dollars to be used toward building new tennis courts, a parking lot behind them and a paved avenue between the Vera Hackman Apartments and the Schreiber Quadrangle.
Limas continued his report by addressing the recent bias incident, which is an ongoing investigation without any leads. Limas informed Student Senate that the College did not describe the incident in detail so as to not give the slurs a platform, as well as to avoid triggering any other students. The College is accepting any information that may be helpful for the investigation. Limas concluded by discussing his strategies for being involved with students. He recently held open forums in the residence halls and hopes to reach out to more students.
Student Senate moved on to committee elections and then committee and class updates.
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The following week, Thursday, Sept. 27, Student Senate met again. During the beginning student comment session, the cancellation of the Marshmallow Game was brought up. Another senator responded that it cannot be rescheduled because there is no free time shared between Etown and Messiah College.
During Limas’ administrative report, he spoke about residential renewal plans, the Bowers Center and the future of the Body Shop. Limas told the senators that there is a renovation plan for Hackman over the upcoming summer to address the various issues. In addition to this, the College is looking to renovate or rebuild other residential buildings, the first likely being Royer Residence Hall. Schlosser Residence Hall is a close second option. The College is reviewing proposals from potential developers in hopes that there will be more discussion early next year. The College is looking to partner on new residential spaces to minimize immediate costs. The residential renewal will occur in phases of renovating and rebuilding in order to minimize the number of displaced students. This is still in the early phases of discussion.
Limas also provided an update on the Bowers Center. Large steel pieces have begun to be moved in, which is a big step for the project. The College still expects a June 2019 opening, which would make the center available for the 2019-2020 school year.
Limas finished his report with a discussion on the future of the Body Shop. With the completion of the Bowers Center, the Body Shop will no longer be needed in its current location. The College currently leases 80 percent of the equipment, which will be returned. The remaining 20 percent will most likely be placed in Thompson Gymnasium since the Bowers Center will receive new equipment. This leaves the space, which is about 3,000 square feet, empty. Limas proposed a few options for the space, which senators provided feedback on. Senators also suggested other possibilities, which are now being taken into consideration. Since this project will not be started until the completion of the Bowers Center, the future use of the space is an ongoing discussion.
After Limas’ report, other administrative representatives took the floor to give announcements and take questions. Student Wellness Director Bruce Lynch announced that the College is continuing its search for a new counselor. Lynch also talked about how counseling appointments are encouraged to be made either in person or over the phone because it allows a representative to judge the urgency of the situation. The Center for Student Success announced that two student assistants were recently hired for the Commuter House.
During Executive Cabinet reports, junior Student Senate President Holly Francescone provided an update on the housing task force, which reflected on the Hackman situation that occurred at the beginning of the semester. Students can reach out to Francescone with any concerns. She also reminded senators that there is an open position for a faculty representative on Student Senate.
Student Senate then voted on their remaining committee election, resulting in all committees being filled.
