Student Senate met for their weekly meeting Thursday, Sept. 1 at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212.
The meeting began with administrative reports from Dean of Students & Executive Director for College Diversity, Equity and Belonging Nichole Gonzalez where she discussed the change made to the student handbook regarding the bathroom policy, wherein it now states that students can use the restroom that they most closely align with at that time.
This change is continuing as they seek to create more gender inclusive bathrooms in the non-residential buildings.
Gonzalez also did a brief presentation on a new student student life co-circular model that is being aimed for first-year and sophomore students. This would allow students to earn credits through a point type system that is tracked through the Jays App to get awards based on the points earned. At this time there is no hard launch date for the program.
Associate Dean for Students for Community Living Jenn Crowder reported that on Tuesday, Sept. 6, emails will be sent out regarding housing changes. Currently, there are 30 half open beds in dorm buildings and six open beds in the Independent Learning Units (ILUs).
Crowder also gave an update in regards to the Office of Students Activities that the next event will be the musical performance of Free Daps! held on Friday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. in the KAV.
There was also a meeting held on Friday, Sept. 2 in regards to the guest policy being updated, and there is more information expected to be released soon.
Director of Dining Services Eric Turzai reported that currently, Dining Services is severely understaffed. There are nine open full time positions and over 100 student part time positions open.
Turzai also explained that as a result of this short staffing they are currently unable to open the Jay Truck; however, they are currently working to brainstorm ways to be able to open it.
Moving into Executive Cabinet reports, Executive President Madison Holmberg reported that there is an open spot of the Transition Committee that is working to write the constitution for Student Assembly. This position will run as an internal election among Student Senate members.
Student Groups Chairperson Isaac Kreinbring reported the first club council will be held on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. For the remainder of the semester, club councils will be held on the third Wednesday of each month.
Elections Chairperson Gabriel Karl reported that officer nominations are open for the Class of 2026 and once they close, the voting period will begin. Special elections are also now open for the Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 to fill the remaining open positions.
Moving into committee updates, Traditions Chairperson Abigail Lindsay reported that the voting for the homecoming parade theme will go live via Canvas on Friday, Sept. 2 and run through Thursday, Sept. 8 with the theme being announced that Friday.
Moving into class updates, Class of 2026 voted in Emma Sager as their new president.
Class of 2024 President Lindsay reported that a few members from the class will be meeting with Vice President of Operations and Auxiliary Services Bob Kerin on Friday, Sept. 2 to continue the discussion from the previous semester about obtaining bins for recycling cardboard.
Lindsay also explained that the class is planning to do pumpkin recycling, as they did last year.
Class of 2023 President Brooke Charria reported that the class is working on purchasing books for the library that are studying material for post-college education.
Charria also reported that within the upcoming weeks they are planning to have the senior gift reveal.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Student Senate meets weekly on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. in Hoover 212. Meetings are open to all the campus community.
