Student Senate: New Committee, Affinity Group Leaders, and Budget Requests
The Student Senate executive board during a meeting (Photo Aly Wein/The Gettysburgian)
By Nicole DeJacimo, Managing Editor
On January 31, Senate welcomed a new Wellness Committee, chose Affinity Group Leaders, and fielded two budget requests valued at nearly $10,000 each.
Officer Reports
President Syd Quan ’22 announced a new ad hoc Wellness Committee tasked with advocating for students’ mental and physical well-being by working with the Health Center, OSAGL, Residence Life, and the Jaeger Center. She explained that this way, all student concerns regarding student well-being can be funneled through one outlet.
Secretary Evelyn Datte ’24 reminded everyone about the Valentine’s Day fundraiser for the Senate, where people can send paper hearts to others on campus. The money will go towards the Mosaic Minds fund, a program to help students pay for textbooks.
Director of Student Activities and Greek Life Jon Allen announced the Spring Activities Fair will be on Feb. 2, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the CUB Ballroom. He also shared the new idea of “Fridays in the Attic” which will be held every other Friday night, alternating with the return of Pub Trivia night, as an effort to utilize the Attic more often. He encouraged clubs to co-sponsor these events and reminded everyone that they will all be host provider events.
Affinity Group Leaders and Committee Chairs
The new Affinity Group Leaders are as follows:
- Academic: Allie Acero ’23
- Social: Ej Gill ’23
- Political: Alex Bove ’24
- Service: Caden Simons ’24
- Cultural: Quentin Heise ’23
- Arts and Music: Ratul Pradhan ’25
- Religious: Natalie Vancura ’25
This semester’s Committee Chairs include:
- BMC: Connor Heath ’23
- Outreach Committee: Evelyn Datte ’24
- Policy Committee: Alexis Jones ’24
- Inclusion Committee: Alex Economou ’22
- Election Affairs Committee: Miranda Zamora ’23
- Academic and Career Affairs Committee: Rocco Rodrigues ’23 and Lily Sellers ’22
- Opinions Committee: Tom Cassara ’23 and Vivek Rallabandi ’25
- Safety Committee: Rachel Fischler ’24 and Jamir Wesley ’25
- Sustainability Committee: Geoffrey Meadville ’25 and Kevin Ganjon ’22
- Wellness Committee: Kelly Kline ’25
- Diversity Committee: Fadekemi Agboola ’24 and Saddichhya Bhattarai ’24
- College Life Advisory Committee: Drew Lemon ’24 and Aidan Campo ’24
Budget Requests
Vice President Miranda Zamora ’23 substituted for Treasurer Connor Heath ’23 and explained that the remaining budget was at a historical low for this time in the academic year at $49,608. Though, Zamora, along with Allen, also explained that the rollover budget, now $46,823, was higher than most years due to historically low spending last academic year.
The Senate passed the full recommended budget request of $9,658 for the new music club, Listeners and Performers, to establish themselves with new musical instruments and equipment. The club hopes to create a space for students to get involved in diverse music genres and hold pop-up music events around campus in large and intimate areas. Half of the request will be paid for by the new initiative’s budget and another half will be paid for by the rollover account.
The ski club requested $9,714, which they received last semester, for an additional three weeks of ski trips to fund 25 slots each week. The Senate went with the Budget Management Committee’s recommendation of zero dollars.
Student Concerns and Announcements
Some students are concerned that Facilities is not salting enough campus walkways and leaving them icy. Quan recommended calling Facilities to alert them of any unsalted walkways.
Many Amazon packages are still stuck in a Baltimore distribution center which Allen clarified is overwhelmed and delays are to be expected until further notice.
Lauren Browning ’22 announced auditions for her student-written and directed play on Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 7–9 p.m. in Kline Theatre.
The Senate will meet next on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, at 7 p.m.
