Student Senate met Thursday, Feb. 18 for their weekly meeting over Zoom. Vice President for Student Life Dr. Celestino Limas opened administrative reports.
He told senators that he has received many questions about commencement and summer housing, but he does not have any definite answers as the details are still being figured out.
Students have also asked questions about compliance for individuals who are COVID-19 vaccinated. Limas said that even those vaccinated must comply with all of Elizabethtown College’s guidelines, including wearing a mask and completing the Daily Digital Health Report, as they could still be a carrier.
He then provided senators with some statistics about COVID-19 on campus. Surveillance testing began the day prior, Wednesday, Feb. 17, and no one tested on that first day was positive for COVID-19.
In terms of the Daily Digital Health Report, 97 percent of faculty, 86 percent of staff and 83 percent of students complete the report 100 percent of the needed times. If an on-campus student does not meet 100 percent compliance after two weeks, Campus Security will temporarily deactivate their ID card. The student’s card will be reactivated once they complete the form. However, Limas said they then have to complete the form every day for a period of time to keep their card activated. The length of needing to demonstrate compliance was not given.
Limas also reminded students that the dividers in the Marketplace cannot be moved.
Assistant Director of Community Living Rina Carpenter gave the next report. They provided a preview of upcoming programming from the Office of Student Activities, including a Silent Disco night and movie showings.
Senior Jeremy Eberly asked if Conrad’s Corner would return this semester. Carpenter replied that current Pennsylvania state guidelines restrict the College from holding it.
Director of Title IX/Compliance Programs and Intercultural Affairs Nichole Gonzalez finished administrative reports. Gonzalez told senators that the Beloved Community Collective has finished and the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Title IX saw great attendance at all of the sessions. The office continues to have programming for Black History Month through the end of February.
During Executive Cabinet reports, senior Publicity and Marketing Chairperson Gio Zapata announced that the Student Senate Instagram series “Keeping Up With the Senators” returns Thursday, Feb. 18. The guest for the first episode of the semester is junior Executive Treasurer Kyle Cappucci to discuss the COVID-19 Testing Fee Scholarship.
Senators then moved to class updates, having moved their orders of business to the end of the agenda. First-year class president Maddi Holmberg asked senators to spread the word of their survey on the Class of 2024’s Instagram. In relation to their advocacy project, the survey discusses American Sign Language on-campus.
Old business consisted of internal committee elections.
New business included a multitude of proposed amendments to the Student Senate Constitution. These mainly consisted of wording changes and some minor restructuring of the make-up of internal committees, which will apply starting the next Student Senate term. All amendments were approved, except one which was tabled for re-wording.
Student Senate meets weekly at 3:45 p.m. Thursdays over Zoom. Meetings are open to all Etown students, faculty and staff.
