The Student Senate Executive Board for the 2023-2024 academic year. (Photo Courtesy of Andrew Lemon)
By Andrew Lemon, Contributing Writer
Dear Gettysburg College,
It is with great affection and a heavy heart that I write closing remarks to you on the current state of the Student Senate and the Student Body.
As we close out our final semester for the 2023-2024 academic year, the Student Senate is ending its year in better shape than ever before. With no dramatic spectacles like impeachments, resignations or internal investigations, this year has been one of the most productive and efficient years under any executive board. We have remained cohesive and productive as a body, both as an executive board and as a cohort of voting members. We have engaged in serious debate, addressed pertinent student concerns and passed policy in the interest of the student body all while laughing and having fun doing it. What’s more, the hard work of our voting members has been spectacular. These elected members of their respective classes have remained pinnacles of our community in their continued commitment to representing the voice of the students they represent.
Since I last wrote to you before entering winter break, much has changed here at the College from an academic and college-life perspective. These areas have allowed the Student Senate to address different areas of student concerns in the Spring Semester.
What We Accomplished
From an academic perspective, we have begun more combined projects working alongside our new and incoming members in the Provost’s Office under the leadership of Provost Bookwala, who has been instrumental in representing the student voice on issues concerning academics and faculty.
First, the Student Senate passed a unanimous opinion expressing a desire to have a joint finance – economics major taught together by our superb Economics and Business faculty. We expressed to the Provost’s Office that this would enable Gettysburg to be on the cutting edge of a liberal arts finance–economics major, all while retaining many more students who would attend Gettysburg for a finance major over a larger school.
We have also hosted department chairs, like Chairperson of the Public Policy Department Dr. Anne Douds, to gauge broader student interest in academic decisions. In hosting Dr. Douds, the Student Senate considered having a stand-alone Public Policy Major. This discussion spearheaded a further conversation that will continue next year in support of a stand-alone Public Policy major to better tailor to policy-aligned students at Gettysburg. These efforts have allowed the Senate to engage in a larger discussion about enhancing academics that will continue for years to come.
From a college life perspective, the Student Senate addressed a variety of issues that will work to better the student experience. First, the Student Senate worked with Dr. Rod Tosten, our College Vice-President of Information Technology, to advise on a campus-wide WIFI infrastructure upgrade. This renovation, which was made possible by the efforts of Tosten and the generous donations of our trustees, will take place in the years to come and provide students with a universal and streamlined WIFI experience with faster browsing and no blackout spots.
Second, we worked alongside the Gettysburg Borough Policy Chief Robert Glenny Jr. to address persistent police presence on campus. These efforts have continued previous years’ discussions with the policy on how we can reduce police contact with students on the weekends and at campus social events. These conversations proved to be fruitful, as the police have assured our students and campus safety that they will work with the College and our safety chair to reduce unnecessary police presence around campus nightlife at Greek life and fraternities.
Third, we have continued to address the issue pertaining to our International Students’ health insurance. This issue is close to the finish line, as a meeting earlier this year with our international students made the College aware of just how expensive the new health insurance plan was for our international community. College Life is still working with College Finance and health insurance brokers to design a cheaper and more competitive health insurance alternative to offer students, ideally by next fall.
Finally, the Student Senate worked to address the student concerns about the newly proposed dining plan for the 2024-2025 year. With sincere and steadfast assistance from our Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Mike Bishop and Director of Dining Services Deb Hydock, abundant student input was considered, and the new dining plan was revised to include aspects of the current meal plan students most desire. These include the use of meal swipes at Bullet, enhanced dining and take-out options at Servo, along a continuation of regular hours at Bullet opening at 7:30 am Monday through Friday. The Student Senate could not be more appreciative of the efforts of Bishop, Hydock and our entering dining services team. These people represent the very best of Gettysburg College and have truly made it their mission to work in the best interest of our students.
The Big Picture
This year, the Student Senate has addressed over 200 student concerns on all issues from facilities, to campus safety, dining, athletics, campus recreation and much more. We have also allocated over $80,000 in budget funding to different clubs that have continued to hold events that make our community so special. From the Gettysburg traditions like BurgBurst and Relay for Life to new events like the Fashion Initiative Showcase and the Big Spring Blowout, this year is certainly one to remember for our variety of fun and impactful club events.
A Thank You
I would be remised if I did not extend a thanks to you, Gettysburg College. As I have continued to tell the Student Senate and all the other faculty and staff that I have worked with this year, the people of Gettysburg are why this community is so special. I would like to emphasize, once more, that it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your President. It has been the best senior capstone I could have ever had to my Gettysburg experience, and I have not had a job that I have enjoyed more.
To President Michael Woods ’25 and the incoming Executive Board, I wish you the best. You have a phenomenal team that will achieve great things for our student body, and I am humbled to be passing the torch to you. As your friend and colleague for several years now, I am optimistic that you will continue to embody a leadership style based on values. Leadership is about we, not me.
Very Truly Yours,
Andrew P. Lemon ’24
President, the Gettysburg College Student Senate
