Student Senate 11/18: Amendment Debate, Immediate Second Meeting After Initial Adjournment
Students at the senate meeting on Nov. 18. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
By Brandon Fey, News Editor
Officer Reports
President Michael Woods ’25 announced that the Senate would not meet again until Dec. 2.
Vice President Abby Ruggiero ’25 stated that the Board of Committee Chairs had unanimously voted in favor of the amendment requiring that senators be assigned to committees to be voted upon by the senate.
Treasurer Jack Thompson ’27 reported that the Senate has $50,136.01 on hand.
Committee Reports
The College Life Advisory Committee reported that it is still awaiting a response from Associate Vice President of Facilities Jim Biesecker, and will shift its focus from standing desks to laundry.
Club Reports and Announcements
The Office of Student Activities and Greek Life will host a “Pink and Green Party” on Friday, Nov. 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Majestic Theater. The first 25 students to attend will receive a free ticket to the 7 p.m. showing of Wicked at the theater.
Young Americans for Freedom hosted speaker Daniel DiMartino in CUB 260 on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
Gettysburg President Bob Iuliano will hold an office hour Friday, Nov. 22 from noon to 1 p.m.
Student Concerns
President Woods provided updates on past student concerns.
He said that while there are no current plans for an expansion of Ice House laundry facilities, the College is willing to consider expanding.
He also said that parking lot drains have been cleared, though they believe that the elevations of certain areas may be the problem.
Students then presented new concerns:
One student complained that there is still an extra charge for eggs at the Bullet Hole.
There is a concern that the GPA requirement for seniors living off-campus is being raised again, possibly reducing the number of students eligible to live off-campus.
There was a general inquiry about the “Gettysburg Loves Philadelphia” event, which was explained as an open reception in Philadelphia that was an investment by the College focused on engaging alumni and prospective students by showcasing new majors and fellowship opportunities.
Budget Requests
Relay for Life requested $5,225 (5.7% of the annual Senate budget) to host its anchor event. The request was approved in full.
New Business
The newly approved committee attendance amendment was presented for final approval. Some senators protested the move, citing a rule that an additional committee approval was required before the amendment could be brought before the Senate.
Amid open argumentation over the rule, Jocelyn Duquette ’27 motioned to censure Joey Labrie ’25, who had been arguing in favor of the rule. This motion failed.
Following the failure of a motion to pass the amendment with unanimous consent, the amendment was tabled to be voted-on at a subsequent meeting.
Almost immediately following adjournment, a new meeting was called just after to vote again on the amendment.
Old Business
The Senate debated over different aspects of the committee assignment amendment, including concerns over its language, the decision of reappointments and forced assignment to unwanted committees.
The body approved the addition of a sunset clause that will involve a trial session for the spring semester, with plans to defer to the Rules and Actions Committee should problems arise. This will be revisited on the third to last meeting of the Senate’s executive board, and the Board of Committee Chairs will account for class year, major and affinity group advice when making appointments. Contested appointments will be decided with a randomization tool.
With this added provision, the amendment was passed and the second meeting of the evening was adjourned.
