By Ella Prieto, Managing Editor
Budget Requests
The budget requests were first on the agenda for the meeting due to a time constraint.
The Disciple Makers Christian Fellowship requested $1,000 for the Focus Conference. The Budget Management Committee (BMC) recommended allotting the full amount. The Student Senate approved the full amount.
Gettysburg College Fashion Initiative requested $500 for the Baltimore Flea Market. The BMC recommended allotting $290. After discussion and other motions, $190 was allotted.
The International Club requested $100 for Crafternoon, which the BMC recommended allotting in full. It was passed in full.
The Vietnamese Student Association requested $830 for a Cultural Day. The BMC recommended allotting $730. The Student Senate allotted $730.
Officer Reports
Parliamentarian Michael Woods ’25 informed attendees that applications for Student Senators and Class Officers will be sent out after the meeting.
Technocratic Forum
A technocratic forum moderated by President Andrew Lemon ’24 was held for Secretary, Parliamentarian and Treasurer. Each candidate was given 40 seconds per question.
The candidates for Secretary included Olivia Taylor ’25 and Victoria Angiolillo ’27. They began by providing opening statements.
Taylor began, asserting her belief in the power of the Student Senate as an organization and the significance of communication. She spoke about her previous secretary experience in Alpha Phi Omega (APO) and College Republicans.
Angiolillo discussed her hope to increase communications between the Student Senate, faculty and students. She also mentioned her previous experience as Class Secretary in high school and her seven years in student government.
Lemon then asked each candidate what they hope to accomplish in the Secretary role.
Taylor responded that she would work to better communication by distributing Student Senate minutes to all students. Angiolillo echoed her sentiment, adding that she would run senator spotlights so that students could better know who is representing them.
The next question asked each candidate what makes them a good fit for this role.
Angiolillo expanded on her role as Class Secretary, where she helped plan Junior and Senior proms as well as created and managed the class’s social media. Taylor stated that she is a strong leader while also being a strong collaborator. She is also well involved on campus and has served as treasurer, secretary and new member chair in other organizations.
Both then gave their closing remarks. Taylor expressed her hope to revive the Senate Outreach Committee, and Angiolillo promised to advocate for those who do not always feel seen or heard.
The next panel featured candidates running for Parliamentarian: Carl DeMarco ’25, Chris Miller ’25 and Vivek Rallabandi ’25. These candidates followed the same structure and were asked the same questions as the Secretary candidates.
DeMarco gave the first opening statement, stating that he has previous experience being a parliamentarian through the New York State Future Business Leaders of America, for which he earned first place in a competition. Through that, he has great knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order.
Miller mentioned his previous years in the Student Senate when he served on the College Life Advisory Committee (CLAC) and the Opinions Committee. He stated that he wants to bring more transparency to the Student Senate and “stay the course.”
Rallabandi also discussed his past Senate experience, during which he was a Co-Chair of both the Safety & Wellness Committee and the Opinions Committee. Additionally, he is the President of Dharmic Circle and interned for a judge.
Discussing what they hope to accomplish, Miller said he hopes to review charters, DeMarco stated he will ensure the constitution is being enforced and wants to refine the budget process and Rallabandi asserted that he would work to make elections more accessible. Speaking on their experience and qualifications, DeMarco restated his experience with the New York State Future Business Leaders of America while Miller and Rallabandi further discussed their past time in the Student Senate.
During closing statements, Miller thanked the other candidates and reemphasized his commitment to being transparent and staying the course. DeMarco asserted he would make the constitution more effective, which would also increase the effectiveness of the Student Senate. Rallabandi said that he is willing to do what it takes, even when it is unpopular.
There was only one candidate for Treasurer: Jack Thompson ’27. In his opening statement, he discussed his experience in Senates on the federal and state level. He stated that he hopes to increase impact per dollar as the Treasurer and will work with Senators to set aside money for campus improvement projects.
Following the forum, senators voted for the positions through a QR code on Engage Gettysburg. The Secretary will be Taylor, the Parliamentarian will be DeMarco, and the Treasurer will be Thompson.
Committee Reports
The Opinions Committee reported that the faculty made no mention of the Student Senate opinion in their faculty meeting, so they are working on addressing that in their upcoming meeting on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in CUB 126.
CLAC meeting is moved to Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. in CUB 230.
The Wellness and Safety Committee will be solidifying their survey about police during their next meeting at 2 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday in CUB 212.
Club Reports and Announcements
The College Democrats and the Political Science Department will be hosting an event on Thursday in Glatfelter 102 at 6 p.m.
The Honor Commission is having office hours in Glatfelter 104 on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as tabling in CUB.
Gamma Sigma Sigma and RISE House are hosting a mocktails night at Waldo’s & Company on Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. The theme is the 80s.
The Inclusion & Belonging Peer Educators will be hosting the Human Library on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. on the first floor of Musselman Library.
Passover will take place in the Atrium on April 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Student Concerns
Lemon had no updates on Student Concerns. The issue with the Civil War Institute Fellows Program having their funding cut is still being addressed.
Gavin Wilson ’27 proposed making a program for students who cannot afford to pay for laundry to have access to it for free.
