Student Senate held their weekly meeting Thursday, Oct. 22 over Zoom. The meeting began with the oath of office for the newly elected senior class representative Sarah Hasenhauer.
The meeting then moved into administrative reports, starting with Vice President for Student Life Dr. Celestino Limas. He took suggestions from senators for how to increase the compliance rate of the Daily Digital Health report. Some senators offered the idea of a raffle or prize. Senior Meghan Kenney asked if the link to the form could be added to the text reminders, making it a step easier to complete. Director of Campus Security Andrew Powell added it while in the meeting.
Assistant Director of Community Living Carina Carpenter gave a report for the Office of Student Activities outlining their upcoming events. There will be an Instagram costume contest running from Tuesday, Oct. 27 through Saturday, Oct. 31. At 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 28 on Brinser field, there will be a showing of the movie Coco. Friday, October 30 is the TGIFall event, featuring a food truck, an a capella show and fireworks. The last event of the month is a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, October 31 in the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being fieldhouse. This event is a partnership with the Intellectual Film Club. However, due to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, these in-person events have since been postponed.
During Campus Security’s report, Powell told senators that the Food for Fines program will still run this semester. Since students aren’t on campus after Thanksgiving, it will be moved up but no dates have been announced yet.
Director of Counseling and Health Needs Bruce Lynch spoke to the question from last week’s meeting regarding remote counseling. He said that some states have been tightening up their restrictions on telehealth across state lines, but Counseling Services will work to find a solution for students who are in states that don’t allow counseling from another state.
Office/Work Station Manager for Facilities Management Bob Mrgich reported that Facilities will be installing new crosswalk lights that will blink.
Director of Title IX/Compliance Programs and Intercultural Affairs Nichole Gonzalez gave the last report. She said that all mandatory training for students has been completed. There will be recordings for those that missed the session with Dr. Don Trahan Jr. and/or the bystander training for first-years.
During student comments, senior Matt Smith said that the Flock to the Polls initiative is offering transportation shuttles to polls on election day – Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Moving into executive cabinet reports, Executive President senior Matthew Hetrick reminded everyone that the senior leadership team senate meeting is Thursday, Nov. 12.
During new business, Executive Treasurer junior Kyle Cappucci gave a presentation about Student Senate’s budget for the year. Due to being sent home the previous semester, there were funds that rolled over into this year’s budget. This allowed for an increase in allocations, such as concrete projects, scholarships and committee budgets.
He then moved into a discussion of concrete projects. These are projects that Senate takes on to improve campus. For example, the speakers on the Baugher Student Center patio were a concrete project.
After a brainstorming discussion of ideas, senators held an election for the one open spot on an internal committee.
The meeting then moved into committee updates. Smith, Traditions Committee Chair, announced that tree lighting will be held Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. outside Zug Memorial hall.
Class updates closed out the meeting. Senior Class President Rachel Freed said that a senior class gift has been chosen, but kept it secret.
Student Senate meets weekly Thursdays at 3:45 p.m. over Zoom. All are welcome to attend.
