By Ella Prieto, Managing and News Editor
Officer Reports
President Andrew Lemon ’24 began the meeting by wishing everyone a happy Halloween. He also urged senators in the room to give their full attention to the meeting.
Senate Executive members in costume for Halloween. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Vice President Geoffrey Meadville ’25 concurred with Lemon and also announced the upcoming guest speakers and that Belle Pedersen ’24 is the new Academic Affinity Group Leader. He also went through the costumes in the room for the costume contest, as senators competed for brownies and free attendance to a committee.
Parliamentarian Michael Woods ’25 commented on the policy discussion last week, expressing that he was very pleased to see it happening and urged senators to keep up the good work.
Treasurer Alfredo Román Jordán gave a budget update, sharing that the senate has allocated $29,390 and spent $25, 560.
Secretary Grace Nelson ’26 had no update.
Director of the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life and the Student Senate Advisor Jon Allen announced that various offices in CUB will be decorated for Halloween.
Guest Speaker
Suhua Dong presenting the data on the Interactive Dashboard. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Director of the Office of Institutional Analysis Suhua Dong was the guest speaker. She shared how to use the Interactive Dashboard created by her office, which highlights graduate outcomes through various timeframes and filters such as majors.
Committee Reports
The Academic and Career Affairs Committee Chair Andrew Thibaudeau ’26 shared that opinions will be coming to the floor next week and asked senators to attend his committee.
The Budget Management Committee (BMC) allocated $680 during their last meeting.
The Board of Committee Chairs is working to find a new time to meet.
The College Life and Advisory Committee continues to deal with low attendance issues. Co-Chair Caroline Gill ’24 asked senators to please attend the committee.
Club Reports and Announcements
Yearbook Editor Belle Pedersen ’24 asked seniors to get their senior portraits taken for the upcoming yearbook.
Senator Gabe Taub ’25 announced that Hillel and Jewish Studies are hosting a lecture/discussion about Anti-Semitism in Mara Auditorium from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Student Concerns
Lemon gave updates on the various student concerns from last week. To begin, he explained that on Oct. 24 the administration created a document that answered frequently asked questions about the new health insurance for international students that will be released soon. They are also working with the insurance company to provide cheaper plans. Students who desire more information or have questions should email Lemon.
Regarding the lights around campus being out, the Executive Director of Campus Safety informed Lemon that an electrician will be coming to campus to check out all the lights. In a similar vein, the traffic light out between Bredienbaugh and Hanson Hall is controlled by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, but Campus Safety has put in a work order with the department.
When Rabbit Transit is late, Lemon said to call Campus Safety in emergencies.
Lemon also shared that the College cannot control the cell service. Additionally, IT has been working to fix Wi-Fi issues and recently sent out an email for feedback from students.
IT also shared that Moodle is hosted by a third party vendor, so the College does not know in advance when it is being shut down for maintenance. However, they will reach out to see if they can be informed about future shutdowns in advance.
New concerns included complaints about the laundry systems, with some calling for a new company to be used by the College.
Political Affinity Group Leader Sam Martin ’24 stated that the line of communication between the administration and students needs to be improved.
Pedersen raised the concern that posters on campus referred to the former Pennsylvania General Surgeon Rachel Levine as a man.
Budget Requests
The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life budget was brought to the floor, which is considered an anchor event. The full $5,755 was passed in full.
Old Business
The Electing Affinity Group Leaders Amendment passed unanimously, bypassing tabling.
New Business
A policy to add the position of Secretary to the BMC appointed by the Treasurer did not pass as it was found to be redundant because the BMC Chair can appoint a co-chair.
Next, two opinions, titled “Recommending The Condensement of Final Exam to Five Days or Less at Gettysburg College” and “Recommending the Change from Moodle to Canvas at Gettysburg College” were both sent back to committee.
The Costume Contest Winner was Dominic DiLuzio ’26!
