Student Senate met for their weekly meeting Thursday, Oct. 28 at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212.
The meeting began with a special report from President Ceclia M. McCormick, J.D., where she spoke on topics discussed at the recent meeting with the Board of Trustees.
One main topic of discussion was approving the strategic plan that is based on four main themes: dynamic and relative education, inclusive excellence, anchor with partnerships and financial sustainability.
During the meeting, she also mentioned the COVID-19 surveillance testing and that 80 percent or more of students and staff are vaccinated and information about booster shots will be coming out soon. In regards to COVID-19, the plan is to still return to campus after Thanksgiving break and bring everyone back on time for the next semester.
McCormick mentioned a new wage increase of 2 percent for employees and that they are also working on how they pay students. Money has been put into the budget for next year to make this possible.
Senator Cece Sadek made a statement in regards to the professor who said a racial slur in class, and said that the school should have sent out an apology as soon as it happened. She argued that things are being swept under the rug while the campus continues to claim to be diverse.
McCormick says that everyone at the school will be receiving an apology on behalf of everything that has happened. She also said she will personally launch a search for an individual who will lead diversity and inclusion across campus.
Dean of Students & Executive Director for College Diversity, Equity and Belonging Nichole Gonzalez spoke on issues brought up at the previous Student Senate meeting.
Beginning with campus safety officers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) respondents not wearing masks while entering buildings on campus, she stated that this issue will be taken care of within the campus safety team and off-campus visitors.
Gonzalez also spoke on the student athlete COVID-19 testing being done by the coaches. She said it comes down to efficiency, timing and finances, and that there was no intent to create a shroud of secrecy. Gonzalez will be sending a recommendation to the COVID-19 Task Force on how this should work moving forward.
Gabbie Reed was announced as the new Deputy Title IX coordinator.
Assistant Director for Housing & Resident Life for Student Activities Rina Carpenter talked of receiving great feedback from the last meeting of what events the Office of Student Activities (OSA) can host in the future and that the calendar of events for next semester is already being planned out.
Center for Student Success representative Lynne Davies spoke that Friday, Nov. 5 is the last day students can withdraw from a course and receive a ‘W’ on their transcript. Withdrawal forms can be found in academic advising or on the registration and records website.
During students’ comments and announcements, senator Riley Becker raised a concern about the use of to-go boxes in the marketplace. Becker explained how she saw a student fill their box solely with cookies, and watched as this student was approached by Dining Services staff; the box was confiscated and the cookies were thrown out.
Sophomore Jacob Dellicker took the floor and stated that he wasn’t impressed with the direction the school is going. He said there should be diversity of thought not just in understanding and raised concerns about telling white students that they are inherently racist.
Many senators took the floor to speak to Dellicker’s statement.
Senator Michaela Teague asked Dellicker if he felt safe and welcomed at the school, to which he replied yes. Teague explained that there are people, most of which are students of marginalized communities, who do not feel this way, and Student Senate is advocating to create a safe environment.
The executive session was motioned to be moved to the next meeting.
Student Senate meets weekly on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212. Meetings are open to all the campus community. Minutes for the meeting can be found by visiting the Etown website and searching for Student Senate.
