Student Senate met for their weekly meeting Thursday, Nov. 12 over Zoom. This meeting was different, as it was their semesterly Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meeting. Sophomore class president Andrew Furman moderated the meeting, which included reports and questions divided into four sessions. The topics included COVID-19, increasing involvement and engagement on campus, residential renewal and other facilities updates and the future of Elizabethtown College.
President of the College Cecilia McCormick began by introducing the SLT members present. Then, the first session began.
Vice President for Finance and Strategy Gerald “Jerry” Silberman gave a report on COVID-19. He said the College has lost about $2 million in revenue due to students living remotely. Silberman then answered questions.
First-year Karlie Fromm asked about revising the Daily Digital Health report to add sections such as comments to describe symptoms and a question about off campus travel. Silberman said he will pass the suggestions along to the COVID-19 task force.
Non-senators were also invited to ask questions by sending them to Furman via the Zoom chat. One guest asked if the College plans to increase tuition to cover COVID-related expenses. Silberman said the College will not increase tuition because of COVID, but may due to typical expense needs.
Another guest asked if the College plans to lift dorm visitation limits in the spring. Vice President for Student Life, Diversity & Inclusion Dr. Celestino Limas answered that there is no direct answer. The College continues to monitor the situation and believes the answer will get clearer over break.
The next session was regarding involvement and engagement on campus. McCormick began with an update.
She said she plans to do more special events, such as the President for a day event again. She also talked about the request form that her office recently implemented. She said it creates a more streamlined process for requesting her presence.
Senior Jeremy Eberly asked if McCormick would be interested in involving more members of the SLT in New Student Orientation. Typically, herself and Limas are part of it. Sometimes, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Faculty Elizabeth “Betty” Rider also takes part, but McCormick said they can look into including more members.
The third session was about residential renewal and updates to facilities across campus.
McCormick listed a variety of updates Facilities Management has done recently, such as fixing pathways, as well as their plans for the future, such as renovating the Leffler Chapel roof. She said the College is also planning to review the properties they own to determine which to sell.
Junior Hailey Seyfert asked about the College’s plan for the Housing Contract. Limas answered that the College will hold the same arrangement as last year. Rising seniors will have the ability to move off campus with a reduced fee.
Junior Rachel Skwirut asked about updates to academic buildings. McCormick replied that work was done in Zug Memorial Hall over the summer, as well as recent updates to spaces outside the art department in the Steinman Center. The College plans to decide on the next updates based on requests from faculty.
The meeting then moved into the fourth session, the future of the College. McCormick began by addressing the status of the College. She said, “if we want to be a university later, we’ll decide what those steps are then.” Rider elaborated that the College recently switched rankings according to US News Reports because of the number of graduate programs offered.
Junior Jessica Freels asked about enrollment numbers for the next class. Vice President for Enrollment Management John Champoli responded that applications, acceptances and deposits are all up compared to this time last year.
Sophomore Jalen Belgrave asked if the campus inclusion committee is reaching out to students. Limas responded that there are currently three students on the committee, but more students will be involved as the committee progresses.
Senior Gio Zapta asked how faculty are held accountable to promote inclusion. McCormick answered that there has been training for faculty. Rider expanded that Limas and Director of Title IX/Compliance Programs and Intercultural Affairs Nichole Gonzalez will be meeting with faculty by school to offer more specific training.
Zapata also asked how the College ensures they’re accurately portraying minorities in their marketing campaigns. Executive Director of Marketing & Communications Keri Straub responded that the Office of Marketing and Communications works with Institutional Research to get quarterly metrics so they have accurate representation.
There was then a short time for general questions. A guest expressed that many fifth-year occupational therapy students are worried about not walking at commencement because of outstanding credits. Rider replied that more details will come when it’s closer, but the cohort will walk together.
Student Senate meets weekly Thursdays at 3:45 p.m. over Zoom.
