By Ella Prieto, Managing Editor
Officer Reports
President Andrew Lemon ’24 began the meeting by welcoming new faces to the Student Senate and stating that the goals for the year will be presented next week.
Vice President Geoffrey Meadville ’25 welcomed the newly elected Affinity Group Leaders and reminded everyone that the Student Senate dress code is semi-business casual.
Parliamentarian Michael Woods ’25 advised the senate to have thorough discussions because making any motions on the upcoming budget as it must pass by a ⅔ majority, and the same motion cannot be made twice.
Treasurer Alfredo Roman Jordan ’26 provided a budget update, sharing that the senate has allocated $61,671 and spent $32, 205.
Secretary Grace Nelson ’26 stated that the Margaritaville-themed Student Senate Open will be on May 3.
Inclusion Officer Abby Ruggiero ’26 announced that the first Inclusion Committee will occur this Friday.
Director of the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life (OSAGL) and Student Senate Advisor Jon Allen reminded everyone that Wednesday is the last day to sign up for the activities fair.
Guest Speaker
The guest speaker was Director of Residential Education Danielle Phillips. She spoke to the Senate about the College’s efforts to best distribute information about conflict de-escalation for students. She stated that a group consisting of herself, Allen, Dean of Students Jeff Foster, Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities Elizabeth Farner and Title IX Coordinator and Director of Civil Rights Compliance and Education Amanda Blaugher are looking for new methods of distribution.
Danielle Phillips speaking at the Student Senate meeting. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
This group previously held an interactive presentation during First Year Orientation on this topic but is now examining other ways. The Student Senate generated various ideas, including adding a section on conflict de-escalation to the first-year dashboard, a PDF that can be distributed, in-person meetings or lectures, continuing with the orientation session, having a community meeting focused on this topic, online segments that can be accessed if desired or attending a session on the topic as a First Year credit for housing.
Committee Reports
The College Life Advisory Committee (CLAC) will meet on Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. in Glatfelter 007.
The Inclusion Committee has an Instagram @gburg_inclusion for students to follow.
The Budget Management Committee (BMC) approved $1,384. This week the meeting will be held in a different location, which Roman Jordan will send when he knows.
The new chair of the Wellness & Safety Committee Belle Pedersen ’24 stated her goals for the committee, including bringing Gettysburg Police Department Chief Robert Glenny to campus and addressing issues regarding name usage for transgender, non-binary and gender-fluid students.
The Opinions Committee will meet on Wednesdays in CUB 212 from 2-3 p.m.
Club Reports and Announcements
On Monday, Feb. 12, the Office of Sexual Respect and Title IX is hosting a sex education event titled “I <3 Female Orgasms.”
Applications are open for a student leader in the roles of Residential or Community Advisor, Inclusion & Belonging Peer Educator or a Center for Public Service Program Coordinator.
Alpha Omicron Pi will be tabling in CUB to sell Rose Grams for $4 each.
Tri Sigma will be tabling in CUB selling cupcakes.
One Act “The Bear” will take place this Saturday in the CUB Ballroom at 7 p.m.
Auditions for the spring show will take place on Monday and Tuesday next week at Brua Hall.
Student Concerns
Updating on previous concerns, Lemon shared facilities will be working to ensure that walkways are fully cleared if another snowstorm occurs. Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Mike Bishop also stated that the long lines at the dining halls occur at the beginning of every semester, and he expects them to die down as students establish their schedules. Additionally, new Coke Freestyle Machines will be placed in Servo this coming summer.
New concerns included the dishwasher in Servo breaking frequently, hairs in the food at Bullet, muddy fields, residential areas being overly heated, and packages being stolen from the Gettysburg Post Office. Lemon plans to address them throughout the upcoming week.
Budget Requests
Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) requested $3,080 for the pro-life/anti-abortion speaker Trent Horn, which the BMC recommended $3,020. The budget was funded for $3,000, with the remaining $80 coming from YAF’s base budget.
YAF presenting their budget to the Student Senate. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
