Student Senate met for their weekly meeting Thursday, Nov. 11 at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212.

The meeting began with the swearing in of five new officers.

Student Senate then had to vote to approve changes that President Cecilia M. McCormick, J.D. suggested to be made to the Oct. 28 meeting minutes. All changes were denied via a vote, therefore the minutes were adopted as is.

Administrative reports began with Dean of Students & Executive Director for College Diversity, Equity and Belonging Nichole Gonzalez where she had nothing new to report. She just noted that if any Senator ever needs someone to talk to, both her and Associate Dean of Students for Community Living Jenn Crowder are always here for them.

Assistant Director for Housing & Resident Life for Student Activities Rina Carpenter gave an update for the Office of Student Actives in which they announced the Paint N’ Sip night that occurred in Hoover 110 on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. Conrad’s Corner also was at the event, serving alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

This was Carpenter’s last Student Senate meeting, and their last day on campus was Tuesday, Nov. 9. Crowder will now be the primary contact person for Office of Student Activities (OSA) related issues until the position is filled.

Director of Housing and Residence Life Jenn Azevedo announced that the Thanksgiving break form closes on Nov. 12. Azevedo also brought up the point that in order to stay on campus over break, you must be fully vaccinated.

Moving into Executive Cabinet reports, Executive President Andrew Furman reminded Senators of the Senior Leadership Team meeting that will be occurring at the next Student Senate meeting, on Thursday, Nov. 18 in Gibble Auditorium.

Executive Secretary Jalen Belgrave is working towards getting the idea of having a Student Senate newsletter off the ground.

Executive Treasurer Kyle Cappucci reported that the Finance Committee voted to approve new club funding for the Animal Service Club. Cappucci also reported that more planning has been worked on for the startup of a career closet.

Moving into class reports, Class of 2025 President Isaac Kraenbring reported that the class is working on a presentation to formally present their advocacy project.

Class of 2024 President Maddi Holmberg reminded everyone of the America Recycles Day event that will be held in the KAV from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15. This event goes along with the classes advocacy project of suitability, in which students are able to come and decorate their own recycling bins.

Class of 2023 President Brooke Charria announced that the class has voted on their new advocacy project that will focus on the topic of blind grading.

Class of 2022 President Nicole Griener reported that the class was able to test the 43 handicap buttons around campus and found that only two did not work, prompting work orders to be placed for them.

Under new business, the Executive Cabinet presented the three semester strategic plan that is aimed to help give guidance to the executive cabinet along with committees.

The plan presented a vision statement along with three main goals. Under each goal there were several action steps, to help achieve the goal.

The Legislation Committee then took the floor to present a new amendment to be added to the Constitution, in which all senators will be required to complete diversity training.

The committee also presented the addition of Senate Standing Caucuses, which underneath this new section would be the Individuals who Identify with Historically Marginalized Identities Caucus. This caucus “will be a safe space for Student Senators who identify with historically marginalized identities.”

Holmberg then presented the formal ad hoc committee proposal formed by the Class of 2024. The official name is the Accountability Response Ad Hoc Committee, and the goal is to acknowledge issues on campus and ensure that they are being properly addressed and being done so in a timely manner.

The committee will also be working with Gonzalez to get the results from the campus climate survey, to work to improve the campus to make it more safe, welcoming and inclusive.

The meeting was motioned to be extended to be moved until 6:15 p.m., and then moved into an executive session.

Student Senate meets weekly on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212. Meetings are open to  the campus community.