By Gracie Meisner, Assistant News Editor
Monday’s Student Senate Meeting welcomed students back for the 2022-2023 year, saw a Budget Request for The Women’s Network and the induction of two members, and concluded with minor edits to the Constitution.
Officer Reports
President Miranda Zamora ’23 started off by welcoming everyone back for the new year.
“For those of you who have done Senate before, we are so excited to have you back. For those of you who are new to senate or maybe observing for first year elections, we are so excited to see you here, I’m so excited to see a full room. Hopefully this will be a great year,” said Zamora.
Zamora also announced that there is a new student concerns platform online through Engage Gettysburg for students who do not feel comfortable sharing their concerns in-person. Zamora noted that there will be a Senate Open event in the Attic on September 17, and they are looking for sober monitor volunteers.
Vice President Geoffrey Meadville ’25 announced that first-year elections are looking good and that Committee Chair applications will be sent out to the student body soon. He then explained that the Senate Mentorship Program will be undergoing changes. Senators will not be mentors this year—instead, the Executive Board will be taking over that responsibility. Meadville also mentioned that Affinity Group Leader elections will be taking place next weekend. He finished by providing an overview of the Student Senate as a refresher.
Budget Updates
Treasurer Hannah Repole ’25 gave the first budget update for the 2022-2023 year. She explained that there is $84,931.71 remaining in the budget so far, and $7,184.29 has been spent.
There was one budget request of $840 from The Women’s Network for an opening event catered by Playa Bowls. The request passed.
Repole also demonstrated how to make a budget request on Engage Gettysburg and explained a new initiative to post a bi-weekly Senate newsletter on social media.
Advisor Report
Associate Vice President of College Life Jeff Foster explained that he would be taking over for Jon Allen, Director of Student Activities and Greek Life, while Allen is temporarily out of the office.
Guest Announcement
Eisenhower Institute Executive Director Tracie Potts announced that the deadline for applying to Fall Eisenhower Institute programming is approaching on September 11. She reminded students that they need to attend a mandatory hour-long orientation in order to apply.
Club Reports and Announcements
Listeners and Performers will be having an open-mic event on September 10 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Junction. Students can attend for free and there will be mocktails.
The Vietnamese Student Association will be hosting a festival on Stine Lake on September 10 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Student Concerns and Announcements
President Miranda Zamora ’23 addressed recent concerns about air conditioning in residence halls. She explained that it is easy for students with accommodations to obtain forms and fill them out in order to be approved.
One student raised concerns about not being able to scan into other residence halls. Zamora explained that the policy of only being able to scan into one’s own residence hall will remain for safety purposes. She explained that if students need to access other residence halls to put up advertisements and posters, they can drop off the posters at the Office of Residential Education for them to hang in the halls, instead.
Another student raised concerns about the new bike share program. The student voiced that the pick-up and drop-off locations are not convenient for using the bikes to get to class. Zamora told the student she would get back to them in coming weeks with solutions, reminding the student that the program is in the pilot phase.
Another student raised concerns about the lack of plant-based options in the Veggie Corner in Servo. The student reached out to Dining Services, but didn’t get a solution. The student mentioned that vegetarian and vegan students are feeling the brunt of the issue, as they are needing to wait in long lines instead of having convenient access to suitable food options offered in past years. The student made a petition that has 90 signatures. Zamora will keep students updated on the status of the Veggie Corner in coming weeks.
Another student mentioned a perceived increase in Gettysburg Borough police on campus. Zamora told the student that the college is not aware of any reason for this, but that they will be monitoring it.
New Business
The New Business portion of the meeting saw the inductions of Nick Silvis ’23 into the Secretary position and Carter Zamora ’23 into the Class of 2023 Secretary position and several minor edits to the Constitution.
