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Student Senate met Thursday, Feb. 13 for its weekly meeting. Senior Maggie Fix started student comments by addressing the accessibility at Conrad’s Corner’s Oscar viewing party Sunday, Feb. 9. Fix said that the issue was fixed when subtitles were turned on during the second half of the showing but wanted to make it known that this was an issue.
Junior Matthew Smith asked why the table outside of the Marketplace was moved permanently. Vice President for Student Life Dr. Celestino Limas responded that he didn’t want people to feel forced to walk past the table and therefore uncomfortable, specifically when groups outside of Elizabethtown College utilize it.
The meeting then continued with Limas’ administrative report. He spoke about the Diversity and Inclusion team. The team will be made of three faculty members, three students and key senior staff members. He also said that they will hold focus groups for under-represented groups.
Limas then asked for opinions on the cheerleading event that was held in the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being Saturday, Feb. 8. Senior Lydia Stone brought up the amount of trash left behind, and senior guest Hannah Paymer said that some people knocked on the Vera Hackman Apartments thinking they were the Bowers Center.
Limas also addressed two campus rumors, the first being that the College is changing the mascot from a blue jay to a sugar glider, which he said is false. Sophomore Allie Melnikoff asked about the rumor that the biotechnology major is being cut. Limas said that no decisions on program cuts have been made, so that is also false.
Assistant Director of Student Activities Zac Pace provided his report next. He said that the Office of Student Activities’ (OSA) trip to New York City is full, so they are currently waitlisting people. He also said that OSA had to cancel the trip to the King of Prussia mall because of lack of interest.
During executive cabinet reports, senior Senate President Holly Francescone reminded senators that allergy needs and restrictions are addressed to Director of Disability Services Lynne Davies.
Sophomore Elections Chairperson Christina Schnee said that senate scholarships are open until Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Old business began with an update on the first-year’s advocacy project. First-years Andrew Furman and Alex D’Amico told senators that they are currently fundraising for their International Food Festival event in April. They’ve currently raised $1,500 of their $2,500 goal.
Senators also held a session of constitutional learning to address senate etiquette. They talked about dress code, social media and manners during meetings.
Committee and class updates began with a showing of the Jr./Sr. reveal video. Junior Rachel Freed said that tickets will be $62 and will be sold the Monday through Thursday before spring break as well as the week after.
For the senior update, Fix told senators that they are hoping to present their advocacy project soon and are planning senior week.
Student Senate meets weekly Thursdays at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212.
Jessica Freels is the Class of 2022 President in Student Senate.
