Student Senate met for the first time this semester at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26. This was also their first time back in-person in Hoover 212 since the spring of 2020.

This meeting was short, focusing just on administrative and executive cabinet reports, since there were no orders of business. This meeting was also available for interested first-years to sit-in and ask any questions about how Student Senate works.

The most recent Senate meeting was held at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2. This meeting started with the swearing in of 14 new senators – 12 to make up the Class of 2025 Student Senate, one new Class of 2023 representative, and one new Class of 2022 representative. It was also the meeting where junior Jalen Belgrave, formerly the Class of 2023 Vice President, was sworn in as the new Executive Secretary.

After the Oath of Office, the meeting moved into administrative reports. Dean of Students and Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Belonging Nichole Gonzalez began. Gonzalez didn’t have anything to report, but used her time to answer students’ questions and garner feedback on the emergency plan executed because of the severe weather Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Assistant Director of Community Living Rina Carpenter gave the next report for the Office of Student Activities (OSA). In addition to promoting the upcoming OSA events for that weekend, Carpenter also spoke about club approval. Club registration is open until Friday, Oct. 1 and clubs are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Director of Housing & Residence Life Jenn Azevedo gave Residence Life’s report. Azevedo followed up on a question from the previous week about students with approved pets on campus being alerted to fire drills ahead of time so they can prepare their pets. Azevedo said she spoke with Director of Disability Services Lynne Davies and students will not be alerted ahead of time because they should treat the drill as a test of preparedness for the animals too.

Associate Director for Diversity, Equity and Belonging Ellis Bonds announced that the Unity Rally will be rescheduled to Friday, Sept. 10. Bonds also spoke to other events hosted through the office, including a keynote speaker for Hispanic Heritage Month – Social Work Adjunct Professor TaLisa Ramos.

Associate Dean for Student Counseling and Health Needs Bruce Lynch announced the hiring of two counselors, following the leave of two this summer.

Lynch also spoke about the College’s new partnership with Lancaster General Health. Along with that, the College also has a partnership with Lyft to provide rides to and from health appointments.

Associate Dean of Students for Student Success Stephanie Rankin announced a new program through the Learning Zone. From 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, Assistant Director of the Learning Zone Tammie Longsderff is holding drop-in hours for time management.

The Center for Student Success also postponed their open house due to last week’s weather, so they will now hold it from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.15.

After administrative reports, members of the executive cabinet each took the floor to welcome the new senators and give any reports on their end. This week they used this time to give more internal updates like describing their committee.

The meeting then moved into the first order of new business. Executive President of Student Senate junior Andrew Furman announced a new ad hoc committee and took volunteers to sit on it. The Student Employment Research Committee will focus on gaining an understanding of student employment on campus and will work to advocate for those students.

During committee updates, the three committee chairs took the time to introduce themselves and their committee so the first-years have a better understanding of which committee they want to run for next week.

Sophomore Class President Maddi Holmberg announced the date of Formal Jay. The dance will be held in the Koons Activity Venue (KAV) Friday, Sept. 24 from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $6 each and will be sold in the Baugher Student Center (BSC) Concourse leading up to the event.

Senior Class Treasurer Jared Beachy announced the Class of 2022 will be selling Marshmallow Game shirts beginning Monday, Sept. 13. The game will be held at Messiah College Wednesday, Sept. 22.

The meeting then moved into executive session, which is only for senators.

Student Senate meets weekly at 3:45 p.m. Thursdays in Hoover 212. Meetings are open to all Elizabethtown College community members.