Student Senate met for their weekly meeting Thursday, Nov. 4 at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212.
The meeting started off with four new senators from the class of 2023 reciting the Oath of Office.
Administrative reports began with Dean of Students & Executive Director for College Diversity, Equity and Belonging Nichole Gonzalez reporting back on how coaches perform the COVID-19 testing for student-athletes.
A few weeks ago class of 2025 Vice President Brendan Guy brought up concern over how little instruction is given to athletes on how to perform the tests and the way in which the results of the tests were being collected.
Gonzalez updated that after reviewing the procedure, no changes would be made. She also confirmed that these are blind tests.
Assistant Director for Housing & Resident Life for Student Activities Rina Carpenter gave an update for the Office of Student Activities in which they announced the weekend activities would consist of Trivia on Friday Night at 7 p.m. Then on Saturday night there will be a Smash Brothers tournament held in the KAV.
Rina also announced that this would be their second to last Student Senate meeting, as they have accepted a new position at a new university.
Director of Housing and Residence Life Jenn Azevedo announced that the Thanksgiving Break request form will be open soon, so keep an eye out for that. Azevedo also reminded students to only flush toilet paper in the toilets and to remove hair from showers. The plumbing cannot handle anything else.
Center for Student Success Representative Michelle Henry reminded everyone that Nov. 5 was the last day to withdraw from a course.
Moving into student comments and concerns, Class of 2022 Senator Jocelyn Kosik announced that there will be an intramural kickball tournament going on and encouraged everyone to sign up.
First-year Connor Lawrence gave a statement where he quoted the speech that two members of the Class of 2025 gave a few weeks back. He said diversity of thought should be equally as important as other forms of diversity. He stated that other’s viewpoints must be able to be heard, and that there are not as many people on campus who have the same viewpoint.
Guy replied to Lawrence’s statement by explaining how people need to recognize their white privilege and attend the forums the campus offers.
Executive President Andrew Furman began the executive cabinet reports. Furman’s first report is that the strategic plan is still on schedule to be rolled out Nov. 11.
Also on Nov. 18 the Senior Leadership Team will be having a meeting which will be held in Gibble Auditorium. Students are encouraged to attend.
Executive Secretary Jalen Belgrave announced that they are working on amendments for diversity as well as working on getting a minority caucus started. Belgrave also announced that the creation of a Student Senate newsletter is in the works.
Executive Treasure Kyle Cappucci reported that the finance committee voted to approve a $70 budget request from the computer science club to put toward their Minecraft server.
Cappucci also formally proposed an ad hoc committee for a concrete project, to work towards putting menstrual products in the bathrooms across campus.
Executive Chair for Publicity and Marketing Chair Jessica Freels announced senate in the concourse. This is a meet the senators type of event and will take place on Nov. 8 and 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the BSC concourse.
Business Communications Committee Chair Jared Beachy started committee updates for the committee, announcing the passport program where they are working with local businesses to get a discount on purchasing passports.
Traditions Committee Chair Riley Becker announced the final date of the tree lighting event will be Nov. 17.
Service and Advocacy Committee Chair Madison Holmberg announced that the committee is working on the annual Angel Tree project. There will be a table in the BSC on Nov. 19, 22, 23 and 24, and students can pick a tag off a tree. The tag will have the name, gender and specific interests of an individual for whom participating students may buy a present.
The meeting was then moved into executive session.
Student Senate meets weekly on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212. Meetings are open to all the campus community.
