After not meeting for two consecutive weeks, Student Senate held a meeting Thursday, Nov. 29. As always, the meeting began with student comments and announcements, but this meeting was met with silence.
Since there were no comments, senators moved into administrative reports, beginning with Vice President for Student Life Dr. Celestino Limas. Limas opened by asking questions regarding the future construction of residential buildings.
Senators provided simple feedback on potential layout ideas for apartment-style living in the new Royer and Schlosser Residence Hall buildings. Limas also spoke regarding the candidates for the Director of the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being. He reported that Elizabethtown College hopes to announce the new hire before the end of the semester.
Campus Security Director Andrew Powell gave the next report.
Powell spoke in regard to Campus Security’s ticket forgiveness program. Students can pay off their tickets, past (within the semester) or present, in the form of nonperishable foods or paper towels, which will be donated to the Community Cupboard of Elizabethtown.
Powell also informed senators about Campus Security’s contest for designing their new patch. The deadline is Feb. 1 in hopes that students will be able to submit a design over break when they have more free time.
After this, Powell answered a senator’s question regarding the procedure for abandoned cars on campus.
After three tickets, Campus Security gives the car a boot, which can only be removed when the driver claims the car by talking to Campus Security. If the car is still unclaimed by Dec. 17, it is towed.
Director of the Writing Wing Richard Fellinger attended the meeting to provide the report for the Center for Student Success. Fellinger announced that the Writing Wing is conducting a pilot program of having open hours in residential buildings, currently in the Founders and Ober Residence Halls.
He also reported that exit interviews are being conducted for students who are transferring or withdrawing.
The Office/Work Station Manager for Facilities Management, Robert Mrgich, also provided his first administrative report at a Student Senate meeting, which was no report.
However, Mrgich did answer senators’ questions. The first was about raking leaves for Student Directed Learning Communities, which a work order can be submitted for. The following question regarded the ground solar lights that broke, to which Mrgich responded by informing members that new lights have been ordered and will be replaced most likely over break.
The meeting moved on to Executive Cabinet reports, starting with junior President Holly Francescone who asked for feedback on the previous Senior Staff meeting. Senators responded with multiple ideas on how to utilize the time wisely, which will be considered when planning the next Senior Staff meeting.
Senior Treasurer Joshua Baker reported that four clubs were approved money in the past few weeks, one being the Intellectual Film Club for their performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Junior Publicity and Marketing Chairperson Emily Perry provided more details on the Senate in the Concourse event, set for Tuesday, Dec. 4. Perry also announced the winners of senator of the months for September and October.
Both senators, first-year Nickolas Sieber and senior Nolan Quinn, won for their hard work on different Homecoming events.
Old business consisted of deciding on a definition for business casual and three elections. Senators approved of a definition for a business casual dress code, which they will vote to add to their Constitution at the next meeting. Due to recent constitutional amendments, three internal committee elections were held.
New business was dedicated to debating the inclusion of “abstain” options while voting. Senators debated the purpose of abstentions to create a definition for a constitutional amendment, which will be voted on at the following meeting.
The meeting ended with committee and class updates, where sophomore Matthew Smith announced that senate and other Etown clubs raised over the amount needed to provide Thanksgiving meals for the 12 local families in need. The extra money will be used to provide each family with a Christmas dinner as well.
