By Ella Prieto, Managing Editor
Officer Reports
President Andrew Lemon ’24 had no reports, simply wishing everyone a great week.
Vice President Geoffrey Meadville ’25 reminded senators to email both him and Secretary Grace Nelson ’26 if they have to miss a meeting. If they fail to do so, it counts as an unexcused absence which senators only have three of before there are consequences.
Treasurer Alfredo Roman Jordan ’26 shared a budget update, including information on total expenses by budget and the current year’s outlook compared to last year’s. The Student Senate has spent $38,000 and allocated $21,660. Roman Jordan also told clubs to make sure they ask for budgets only including those who demonstrate financial need.
Inclusion Officer Abby Ruggiero ’26 reminded everyone to follow the Inclusion Committee Instagram @gburg_inclusion.
Guest Speaker
Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Mike Bishop was the guest speaker for today’s meeting. He came to the meeting to provide updates on the issue of packages being lost in the mail. The packages are being lost between transportation from the Harrisburg Post Office to the Gettysburg Post Office and from the Gettysburg Post Office to the College’s mailroom. Additionally, the majority of the disappeared packages are sent through the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Mike Bishop speaking to the Student Senate. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Bishop and the manager of the Gettysburg Post Office have been working to find a pattern or discern why the packages are being lost, but could not find anything. The Gettysburg Police Office is also currently investigating along with Postal Inspectors. However, it is not clear whether the packages are being stolen or lost through the mail processes.
Bishop recommended that students purchase insurance for their packages if they are being sent through USPS. That allows for reimbursements to be more easily acquired, but students can always file a claim with the police if desired.
Committee Reports
The Academic Careers Affairs Committee will be discussing academic grade standardization in their next meeting on Thur. at 12 p.m. in the Breidenbaugh Writing Center.
The College Life Advisory Committee is meeting Thur. 4-5 p.m. in CUB 230 with Director of Dining Services Deb Hydock to discuss meal plans for next year.
The Budget Management Committee (BMC) Chair Roman Jordan reminded clubs to submit budgets by 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Last week’s Opinion from the Opinions Committee was published in The Gettysburgian. Chair Dominic DiLuzio ’26 also shared that they will be meeting with Provost Jamila Bookwala in Pennsylvania Hall at 10 a.m. on Mar. 1.
Club Reports and Announcements
On Sat., German House, German Club and the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life are hosting Märzfest in The Attic from 9:45 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Sigma Sigma Sigma’s Bingo Bash will occur this Fri. with all proceeds going to the March of Dimes.
Hillel is having a “Let’s Talk Chabad” event on Thur. from 5-7 p.m. in CUB 260.
The Honor Commission is reviewing the Honor Code and is looking for student input through a survey.
Gettysburg Debate is meeting on Tues. at 7 p.m. in Breidenbaugh 209.
College Republicans are having their second annual Lincoln Legacy Dinner in the Atrium.
Interfraternity Council and the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life are hosting Laser Tag at 10 p.m. on Mar. 1.
Relay for Life is tabling all week in CUB.
The Women, Gender and Sexuality Department is hosting a letter-writing event on Fri. at 1 p.m. in Weidensall Lobby.
Student Concerns
Lemon gave updates on student concerns from last week, beginning with poor Wi-Fi in the Civil War House. Vice President of Information Technology Rod Tosten is working to come into the Senate to speak on this concern during a future meeting.
President Andrew Lemon ’24 addressing student concerns. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
The Center for Global Education has cut programs, in part because of cost but also due to COVID-19 shutting down programs. However, they recently had six new programs approved at a recent faculty meeting.
Facilities did install peepholes in the lower-level door in Art House.
Faith-based counseling is available through Religious & Spiritual Life as well as Director of Catholic Campus Ministries Marie Hopkins. The only caveat is that they cannot diagnose mental illnesses.
Lemon also stated that he is continuing to meet with the College Administration to lower the costs of health insurance for International Students.
New concerns included a lack of transparency from Board of Trustees’ meetings and the washer and dryer being broken in the Civil War House. Lemon said he would follow up with Associate Vice President of Facilities Planning & Management James Biesecker about the washing machines in Civil War House. Roman Jordan proposed that a writer from The Gettysburgian attend the Board of Trustees’ meetings.
Budget Requests
The Newman Association requested $1,590 for Harrisburg Catholic Conference, which the BMC recommended in full. The budget passed for $1,620 unanimously.
Representative from Catholic Campus Ministry presenting their budget. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
A budget for the 26th Pennsylvania Guard was on the agenda, but due to no representative for the club showing up, it was tabled to next week.
New Business
An amendment was brought to the floor by Woods to allow Affinity Group Leaders in the Student Senate to either hold one officer hour each or attend two separate non-consecutive engagement hours each month. The amendment tabled unanimously after discussion.
Senator Carl Demarco ’25 brought up concerns regarding the Provost’s Office shrinking departments. Lemon stated that President Iuliano, Vice President for College Life Anne Ehrlich and Provost Jamila Bookwala will be guest speakers at a Student Senate meeting soon.
The Student Senate ended by discussing various ideas for projects and the future of the organization. These included annual school update projects and greater outreach. The discussion was tabled to next week.
Editor’s note: An edit was made to this article regarding the passage of the Engagement Hours amendment (- E. Prieto)
