Photo courtesy of Flickr
Student Senate held its weekly meeting Thursday, Sept. 12 at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212. The meeting started with a few student comments. Senior Margaret Fix asked if Elizabethtown College was planning to get patio furniture for the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being, since it’s pictured in the sketches. Director of the Bowers Center Whitney Jones responded that they are planning to but haven’t found what they want yet.
The meeting then moved into administrative reports, starting with Assistant Director of Student Activities Zac Pace. Pace said that guests registered with Campus Security can attend Conrad’s Corner events but can’t consume alcohol because the College cannot verify their age. He stated that he hopes students see Conrad’s Corner events as a “social opportunity” rather than an event with alcohol.
Vice President for Student Life Dr. Celestino Limas began by talking about Dining Services. He said that students can receive a dollar bump in wage for working at the Jay’s Nest and/or Jay Truck during weekend shifts, and students working weekend nights receive an additional dollar increase to their wage.
Limas also answered a question about the Bean Blasters in the Blue Bean Cafe. He said that they are back after an ice cream shortage made them unavailable.
Office/Work Station Manager for Facilities Management Bob Mrgich finished administrative reports by saying that the card access for the Schreiber Quadrangle common area is underway. According to Mrgich, it’s a more complicated process than most of the other card access’.
During executive cabinet reports, junior Student Senate Treasurer Matthew Hetrick announced that the finance committee approved $450 to fund Mad Cow Improv’s shirts for the year.
Senior Publicity and Marketing Chair Julia Aleo finished off the reports. Aleo reported that the Student Senate website is now updated and online at etown.edu/senate. She also announced that Trunk or Treat will be held Monday, Oct. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Leffler Chapel and Performance Center parking lot.
The old business section of the meeting began with a welcome to the new Director of Community Living Jenn Crowder. Senators then moved onto both internal and external committee elections.
To conclude old business, senators held the second part of their orientation feedback discussion. They focused on the first-year walk and the history video, suggesting ways to improve both.
The meeting finished in new business with a brainstorm session for advocacy projects. Each class senate will choose a big issue on campus to focus their advocacy on. Suggestions included disability accommodations, sustainability and student employment.
Student Senate also met Thursday, Sept. 19. Junior Makensie Kilby started off the meeting during student comments by announcing that registration is open for the Center for Community and Civic Engagement’s fall break service trip. Kilby also mentioned that Into the Streets will take place Saturday, Oct. 26
Senior Student Senate President Holly Francescone then gave a quick update to a comment made at the previous meeting. Senior Lydia Stone had asked if the print station from the north Hackman Apartments could be moved to the south ones, since the north building is closed for construction. Francescone said that the printer can be moved, but Facilities hasn’t decided on a specific date that it can be done yet.
Limas began the administrative reports by stating that, according to the College’s data, 90 percent of students have visited the Bowers Center. Then he asked why students weren’t utilising the building after 10 p.m. like they had expected. Senators responded with answers such as the commute across campus, the lack of a print station and the lack of whiteboard spaces.
Limas also reported that the College is piloting adding e-scooters to the bike share program. He then announced that the Jay Truck will start having Friday and Saturday night hours. The food truck will be open from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. starting Oct. 11. Limas said that the menu is “full, but fluid” and open to change.
During the executive cabinet reports, Hetrick reported that the new club allowance was granted to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, since they formed before club allowance from senate began.
The meeting ended with updates from each of the classes, which were all vague so as to not ruin any surprises about upcoming plans.
Student Senate meets every Thursday at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212. All meetings are open to everyone.
