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Student Senate met Thursday, March 12 for an unconventional meeting. Senators pushed off their scheduled agenda and began with a session for President Cecelia McCormick and Vice President for Student Life Celestino Limas to answer questions regarding Elizabethtown College’s recent COVID-19 update.
McCormick began by saying that she hopes the College answered a majority of student questions and comments in its initial email, which explained that Etown would hold remote class instruction Wednesday, March 18 until Friday, April 3 in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
A guest asked about potential reimbursement for room and board, since most students won’t be utilizing those services. Limas answered that they haven’t approached that yet since their top priority is aiding in the adjustment to remote learning. McCormick added that the College needs to understand how long this period will last first, then they will consider it.
McCormick then answered senior Meghan Matje’s questions regarding Easter Break. They will address that when the time comes, but it is possible that more students may be allowed to stay on campus.
Multiple questions were made regarding student employees and whether they can work remotely. McCormick said that students cannot work when the College is closed. However, Director of the Writing Wing Richard Fellinger said that he is working to gain permission for writing tutors to be allowed to work remotely. Director of the Learning Zone and Disability Services Lynne Davies added that she would look into the possibility for other academic tutors to be available during the online instruction period as well.
After the COVID-19 question session, the meeting then moved into general student comments. During this time, multiple fifth-year occupational therapy students took the floor to express hurt over the cancelled hooding ceremony. Guests said it was a tradition that they looked forward to since the beginning of their education at the College. Guests also mentioned that the ceremony was going to be more accessible than commencement, making it easier for families to attend. The students said that while they were upset with the decision, they were more upset that it was communicated last minute and without any warning.
McCormick responded by saying that she is willing to look into how the decision was made and to revisit it, but also said “at some point, we do have to make changes.“
After a five minute recess, senators moved on to the rest of their agenda. This started with administrative reports.
Assistant Director for Student Activities Zac Pace said that students who planned to go on the New York City trip sponsored by the Office of Student Activities (OSA) will be fully reimbursed. He also said that he will try to reschedule as many OSA and Conrad’s Corner events as possible, but the upside of not having as many events is that there will be more money to spend on Thank Goodness It’s Spring (T.G.I.S.) weekend.
Davies used her report to again emphasize that her office will be helping students during the transition to online courses. “We want to help everyone succeed,” she said.
Office/Work Station Manager for Facilities Management Bob Mrgich reported that Facilities Management will be using this time to complete any work that can’t typically be done because students are on campus.
During executive cabinet reports, junior Student Senate Treasurer Matthew Hetrick said that with conferences for clubs being cancelled, senate will get the refund. In the case that a club used senate requested money for a non-refundable conference, senate will “eat that cost” because the Finance Committee thought clubs would have a harder time affording it.
Student Senate then went into an executive session to discuss how the College’s closure would affect senate specific events and timelines.
