The Oct. 18 Student Senate meeting began with a special order about Resident Assistant and Community Fellow applications. Area Coordinator for Brinser Residence Hall, Featherton Apartments, Hackman Apartments and the Schreiber Quadrangle Dominick DiLorento spoke about the differences in positions. Community Fellow is a new position this year, developed from student feedback about upperclassmen living. Community Fellows are never on call, and they plan less structured monthly events to help students “adult” better.
DiLorento was asked if Peer Mentors could apply for either of these positions. He answered that they could be a Community Fellow, but the time requirements for being an RA are too demanding to also be a Peer Mentor. Both RA and Community Fellow applications are currently available until Friday, Oct. 26.
After the special order, Student Senate moved onto its normal agenda with student comments and announcements. Senators brought up various issues, asking about the possibility of different shuttle services and adding key swipe ability to doors that don’t have it, as well as drawing attention to a broken machine in Thompson Gymnasium.
Campus Security agreed to look into the first two issues, while another senator spoke on the last. Since the machine is not owned by Elizabethtown College, the College has to wait until the outside company can fix it.
Following this was administrative reports, starting with Vice President for Student Life Dr. Celestino Limas. Limas reminded senators to be safe during both Homecoming and Halloween, as well as to keep in mind other people’s religions and cultures if you have plans to dress up for the holiday. He stated that all students should feel free to contact him if they are unsure on the appropriateness of their costumes. Campus Security Director Andrew Powell followed Limas with similar remarks about safety surrounding upcoming events.
Powell also provided a follow-up report about an issue brought up at the last meeting, which was the lack of handicap signs. He reported that Campus Security did request signs, which will be put up upon approval. Assistant Director of Academic Advising Curtis Smith finished up administrative reports by stating that the advising window opens Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Senate then moved into Executive Cabinet reports, starting with junior Student Senate President Holly Francescone. Francescone gave a brief follow-up on the concrete ideas discussed at the previous meeting and announced that Senate will begin working towards them soon.
Senior Treasurer Josh Baker then gave an update on club requests. The Family Business and Entrepreneurship club requested the new club allowance and received a $350 grant. Mad Cow Improv received their requested $345 for new shirts to use during performances. Junior Publicity and Marketing Chairperson Emily Perry announced that clubs can now register for Trunk or Treat, which will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.
Associate Director of Strengths, Coaching and Ethical Leadership Development Stacey Zimmerman attended this meeting to talk to senators about their strengths. Zimmerman explained that the philosophy behind the strengths test is to focus and develop on what is right.
She provided specialized maps for each of the class senates, and then helped analyze how each group could use their strengths to understand each other and be most productive.
Student Senate then introduced a new segment that will occur at each meeting that focuses on understanding the Senate constitution. This week senators focused on their judicial review process. The goal for this segment is to help all senators understand the rules that they operate on, which will help Senate run smoother.
The last order of new business senators faced was their new election process. Senior Elections Chairperson Kaitlyn Freed explained Senate’s previous system, before transitioning into the new system. The new process is a more simplified online form that allows candidates to upload a picture of themselves, as well as write their platform. Freed is hopeful that this new system will allow special elections to run faster than in the past, as well as make it easier for everyone to run to become a senator.
During the final portion of the meeting, committee and club updates, the Service Committee announced that donating money to Thanksgiving dinners will open up outside of Senate, allowing any club to donate.
