Student Senate: COVID-19 Concerns, Proposal for Committee Restructuring

By Leah McCann, Staff Writer

At last night’s meeting, Senate welcomed two new Senators, announced a plan for restructuring committees, and discussed the growing COVID-19 concerns on campus.

Officer Reports 

Quan wished to provide a debrief on Tracie Potts’s talk at the Senate meeting last week on political respect. She also wanted to ask all attendees about potential new topics to be discussed with the next speaker. Matt James ’22 stated that he liked that an event was promoted along with the speech, while Sam Martin  ’24 stated that Potts “held my attention very well” and that her speech was  meaningful for “both political and multi-culture respects.”  Additionally, Quan offered brief check-ins to anyone who was interested in doing this, as she stated that it is “nice getting to know the people I get to work with.”

Regarding the next speaker, there is more flexibility with the topic of the talk; the Inclusion Committee will be discussing this at their meetings (6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays in CUB 212). 

Two sophomore Senators were also welcomed: Alex Rosado ’24 and Salim Alwazi ’24. 

Vice President Colin Hughes ’23 wanted to address the comments made last week regarding the applicant selection process. He wanted to clarify that he wanted underrepresented members to be elected rather than simply completing the process as soon as possible. He stated, “I apologize for the way I said ‘no’ to the Executive Board,” but also wanted to note that “plenty of Executive Board members’ comments that sound different out of context.” He wanted to express that he and the Executive Board is more than willing to open up the election process to concerned members, promoting a more transparent and community-based election process that creates a “more united front.”

Treasurer Connor Heath ’23 stated that $30,027.75 has been spent so far, but this was changed with tonight’s budget requests. These included the following: 

• E-Sports’ request for $317.94 for headphones (and covers) for their room in Plank 105. $26 more than the proposed sum was suggested to be allotted, and the recommended amount was approved. 
• Biosphere’s request for $200 for an event—a discussion on immunology and viruses by Dr. Solis—was approved for the full amount. 
• Braille in the ‘Burg’s request for $850 for money to buy a new Braille writer and Braille Uno cards was approved for the full amount. 
• Students for Indigenous Awareness’s request for $700 for compensation and food for a speaker series event to be co-sponsored with Office of Multicultural Engagement (OME) and Students against Sexual Assault next Monday and Wednesday from 5–7 p.m. in Mara Auditorium (featuring a Lakota language instructor from NYU and an indigenous feminist activist from South Dakota) was approved for the full amount.
• The Lost Keys’s request for $200 for their costume contest prize winners was approved for the full amount. 

Club Announcements

On the general topic of clubs, Quan expressed an interest in getting rid of the club representative attendance requirement in full, stating that she “doesn’t need to have clubs here to get money” and she is “not trying to gatekeep any of the money.” According to Quan, “it’s about funding the student experience.”

She also would like to make the role of affinity group leaders a more functional position. In response, Martin proposed that the Executive Board publicize meeting notes and minutes for club members and representatives to see if something affects their group if they are not able to attend meetings. Quan surveyed attendees to see if they were in agreement with the removal of an attendance policy, and there was generally agreement that there is not a reason to be at meetings every week.

Jazz Appreciation announced that their Swing Dance Event will be happening this Friday. From 8–9 p.m., lessons will be provided; from 9 p.m. to midnight, the Buzz Jones Big Band will be performing; and from midnight to 1 a.m. WZBT will be providing a live DJ. 

On Thursday, Nov. 11 at 3:45 p.m. on the second floor of Ragged Edge, the College Democrats will be hosting an event for upcoming election

OME announced that there will be an alumni panel on Zoom from 6:30–7:30 p.m. for 1st-Gen Scholars. OME will also be having a resume and personal statement workshop session on Wednesday from 4–5 p.m. Finally, on Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the OME basement, there will be a headshot event where anyone is welcome to stop by and update their headshots if needed.  

Finance & Investment Club will be holding a talk about trading and financial advising in the Science Center room 101 at 5 p.m. 

Campus Recreation wanted to remind students of classes at the Jaeger Center, which they offer on their website. 

Student Concerns

The primary concerns addressed were regarding the rumors about an increase in COVID-19 cases on campus. There has already been contact between the chairs of the Safety Committee and Dean of Students Anne Ehrlich regarding the matter; it was determined that the formal case count is 5. The College is therefore not currently changing any of their policies, but will continue to closely monitor and consider testing the student body if the risk level rises. 

Students also expressed concern for the lack of increase in student wages. The Executive Board plans to investigate how other small liberal arts schools pay for student workers in order to bring the issue to administration. 

Committee Announcements  

Secretary Evelyn Datte ’24 reminded all members to continue attending Committee meetings. 

The Academic and Career Affairs Committee wishes to remind attendees of their 3:00 p.m. Tuesday meetings. 

The College Life Advisory Committee (CLAC) reminded attendees of their newest survey surveying public opinion on bikes and scooters on campus, stating that “if you haven’t already, please take it.” This coming Thursday, CLAC will be discussing procedural measures to implement these bikes and scooters. On Nov. 17, they will be talking with a student who looked into this system as a capstone to better understand how to implement the idea. 

The Diversity Committee reminded attendees of their meetings, which are on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. Tomorrow they will be hosting a conversation about the reality for women with disabilities, which will be held at 4 pm in Mara Auditorium.

The Inclusion Committee’s next meeting will discuss whether or not Greek organizations should be represented in the Senate in their next meeting. They also reminded attendees of their meetings, which are Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in CUB 212. 

The Outreach Committee reminded attendees to fill out the bike and scooter survey mentioned by CLAC; the link will also be on the Senate’s Instagram account for the upcoming week. Additionally, the Committee will be discussing ways to publicize committee meetings through Instagram (they meet Mondays at 1 p.m. in CUB 208). 

The Safety Committee announced that they are planning to do a campus walk Thursday at 8:15 p.m. to survey the lighting situation. They will be meeting near Breidenbaugh to begin the walk. They also reminded attendees of their meetings in Glatfelter 103 from 7–8 p.m. 

The Sustainability Committee announced their new chairs: Kevin Ganjon ’22 and Geoffrey Meadville ’25. The Committee has not yet announced their meeting times but will soon establish a meeting schedule. 

New Business

Quan proposed a plan for the restructuring committees for next year. This plan involves potentially dissolving the Opinions Committee. Instead, each committee could have a monthly check-in to update the Executive Board on their progress. Additionally, Quan proposed that CLAC could be split into sub-committees that fit into the general category of a Student Experience Committee. This “umbrella” would include the already-existent Safety and Sustainability committees, but also some new groups such as Housing and Dining, Infrastructure, and Wellness.

Rocco Rodrigues ’23 expressed concern that the committees will lose momentum if they are required to meet less frequently. Quan responded that the groups can individually update each other and also consistently send emails or some form of report to the Senate in the event of less frequent meetings. 

Although no conditions have been solidified, the group generally received the proposal in a positive manner. Concerns about progress being delayed and the amount of sub-committees were frequently voiced, but Quan intends to determine the exact details of the plan after meeting with Committee Chairs and designing the most efficient organization. 

The Senate will next meet on Monday, Nov. 15.