Student Senate 2/3: Budget Requests, Senate Shark Tank and a Campus Swing Set
The Senate ran its first “shark tank” activity which resulted in a new campus swing set being approved. (Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
By Brandon Fey, News Editor
President Michael Woods ’25 began the meeting with an acknowledgement that due to illness, the senators in attendance were just one member over quorum.
Officer Reports
President Michael Woods ’25 stated that the meeting would include the first “Senate Shark Tank” activity in which the senate would vote to allot a pre-reserved $10,000 to the best idea presented. He also shared the QR code to a marketing survey titled “Students’ Guide to Gettysburg” in which students are encouraged to vote on their favorite local attractions until Feb. 14.
Parliamentarian Carl Demarco ’25 announced that committee assignments had been completed earlier that day.
Treasurer Jack Thompson ’27 announced that 15.5% of the budget was to be apportioned in the budget requests later that evening.
Vice President Abby Ruggiero ’26, speaking on behalf of Secretary Olivia Taylor ’25, mentioned the need for volunteers with training in T.I.P.S sober monitoring to facilitate the Senate Open event on Friday, Feb. 21 from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Committee Reports
Treasurer Thompson reported that the Budget Management Committee will meet tentatively at 2:30 on Wednesday, Feb. 2 in CUB 212 and will soon find a permanent meeting time.
Inclusion Officer Oliver Eckloff ’27 said that the Inclusion Committee will also meet tentatively on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in CUB 230.
Club Reports and Announcements
The Honor Commission announced that it plans to return to attend the Senate meeting on Feb. 24 to collect input about two motions to amend the honor code before they are shared with the faculty. They provided an online form by which Senate representatives can preview the motions.
Woods shared on behalf of Servo and the Bullet Bar that they will have special options for the superbowl on Sunday.
Student Concerns
Woods first addressed previous concerns, stating that The Dive will post calorie counts for its smoothies and Director of Residential Education Danielle Phillips will be at the Feb. 24 senate meeting to discuss concerns over heating.
Jocelyn Duquette ’27 reraised the concern about campus washing machines and dryers ruining clothes. President Woods said he had sent this info to Facilities Services, but will ask about the future of the contract with Speed Queen, the current laundry provider.
Budget Requests
The Student Musical Theater requested $2,600, 2.8% of the Senate budget, for a production of “Godspell” for its Spring show. Of that amount, $1,600 was requested for the licensing of 20 scripts and the remaining $1,000 for materials and equipment including microphones, props, set design and costumes.
The request was approved in full.
The Ski Club requested $7,200, 7.8% of the Senate budget, to fund ski trips for the upcoming semester.
The representatives emphasized that they are one of the largest clubs on campus, and have found ways to cut costs by providing their own transportation and reducing lesson costs. The club intends to have the three trips with 37 students each, each trip taking a different set of students per their form.
The request was approved in full.
The Muslim Student Association had originally requested $3,400, 3.7% of the Senate budget, from the Budget Management Committee, though had apparently submitted incorrect costs of transportation, changing their request to $4,400, 4.79% of the Senate budget.
The majority of the requested sum was to finance Ramadan activities, including trips to different mosques on Saturdays from March 15 to the 30 or 31. $700 of the request was for food for four Iftar events, which expect 80 attendees each. This raised a question that the request may violate the Senate Constitution by being exclusive to certain groups of students. Upon inquiry, the representatives said that any student who is fasting (regardless of his or her faith) is allowed to attend. $400 was for Eid decorations that will be reused in the future.
The request was approved for $4,400.
The Vietnamese Student Association requested a reimbursement of $1,145, 1.2% of the budget, to finance their Lunar Near Celebrations that had taken place on Saturday, Feb. 1. The event was funded by the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life because the Senate Budget Management Committee had not met during the first week of classes.
The request was approved in full.
(Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
Senate Shark Tank
President Woods explained that for this unprecedented activity, four Senate committees were to propose different projects, after which the floor would ask questions about each proposal and vote to fund the project at a figure between the maximum or minimum amount requested. A “lockbox” of $10,000 had been set aside for this during the fall semester.
The Inclusion Committee, represented by Eckloff, proposed that female product dispensers be installed in campus housing with more than 11 students. It was argued that this would save students money, citing a similar Senate project in 2019 in which the dispensers were installed in public buildings.
Upon questioning, Eckloff explained that Facilities would be responsible for stocking and maintaining the machines after the Senate money is fully spent. The proposal would likely include the purchase and installation of 21 dispensers. It was suggested by a floor member that coin-operated dispensers would be less of a financial burden over time, though this suggestion was unpopular.
Facilities had not been consulted for an installation cost estimate due their limited availability in what has become an busy time of year for the department.
Other floor members mentioned concerns about poor product quality and waste/misuse from students.
The Opinions Committee, represented by Alex Jurow ’27 proposed that the campus install a swing set on Stine Lake or Musselman Beach, arguing that it would encourage stress relief, outdoor activity, and make the campus more memorable for prospective students. She displayed several options at different price points that would allow for the purchase of multiple sets.
The presentation assumed that there would not be any maintenance costs after installation.
In response to a question from the floor, OSAGL Director Jon Allen stated that the College has approved the installation of swings on campus. He said that additional costs would include mulch for the area around the swings and concrete ground anchors for installation, but did not have a price range. He also said that OSAGL plans to install a gaga pit in a similar area.
The costs of the swing sets presented ranged from $3,499 to $4,599, though it was unknown whether the figures included shipping and installation costs. It was also unknown whether an outside contractor would be required for installation.
The Safety and Wellness Committee and College Life Advisory Committee represented by Reese Koch ’25 and Garrett Bumps ’28 proposed that better quality toilet paper should be installed in campus residence halls. They said that the current type is purchased for $67 for 12 rolls, though the two-ply option sells for $82 for 12 rolls. They proposed to cover the extra 22% cost for the College to purchase better quality rolls.
Reese Koch ’25 and Garrett Bumps ’28 proposing the Senate purchase better quality toilet paper during the 2/3 meeting. (Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
A floor member asked about how frequently the current rolls are replaced, though the presenters did not have this information available.
Another question asked about how long the Senate allotment would be able to finance the new rolls, to which the presenters responded that they did not have a timeframe and assumed that the College would cover the increased costs once the Senate money would be fully expended.
The proposal also included alternative suggestions such as a new $7,000 stairmaster exercise machine for the Ortenzio Fitness Room in the Jaeger Center, high pressure shower heads with water filters, or ice machines in dining halls and residence buildings.
Similar concerns about waste and misuse were discussed, which was stated as having allegedly been the reason for the previous downgrade in quality. It was also stated that the current showerheads are water-saving, meaning that high-pressure replacements would waste more water.
Woods informed the Senate that it can also choose to fund combinations of permanent items if it wishes to do so.
The Academic and Career Affairs Committee, represented by Maimuna Mustafiz, suggested that ice dispensers be installed in the Jaeger Center of Bullet Bar, which would cost between $2,000 and $6,000 excluding installation costs.
The committee also proposed that the College switch from Speed Queen to a less expensive laundry provider, reasoning that while the Office of Multicultural Engagement offers to assist students with laundry payments, communication of this need can be difficult for students.
The proposal did not suggest any alternative laundry services, price estimates, or logistical considerations when questioned. A senator announced that the College is already renegotiating its contact with Speed Queen.
The Senate made a binding decision to approve the swing set proposal, as advocates argued that of all the ideas, it would have the best longevity and require the least maintenance.
The Opinions Committee was tasked with planning the purchase and installation of the swing set(s), and will provide weekly updates on the exact considerations and price points.
