10/20 Student Senate Meeting Minutes

Posted By Gettysburgian Staff on Oct 21, 2025 | 0 comments

The Gettysburg College Student Senate provided the following minutes. Besides formatting, they have not been edited in any way.

Approval of Last Week’s Minutes

• Motion passed.

Guest Speaker –Bruno Garcia, Garthwait Leadership Center

• GLC is a Leadership hub on campus, with indoor and outdoor leadership programs for all years.
• GDP Programs
  • Programming offering for Student Organizations on campus. Varies based upon the student organization, and many offerings that can be customized.
  • Worked with APO, STEM Scholars. Will work with any organizations requested.
• Q&A
  • What is GDP?
    • Group Development Project.
  • How do organizations request more information?
    • The pamphlet will go out with the minutes, or you could stop by the GLC office?
  • What is the timeframe for a GDP?
    • Can work along your timeframe, and the GLC is working to accommodate.
  • Is there a fee?
    • No. It is completely free.
  • Can an organization do a GDP more than once?
    • Yes. Can request as many times as you’d like.
  • Could a GDP be like a backpacking trip?
    • It would likely not be a trip like that, but you could stop by the GLC to discuss.

Guest Speakers – Jon Allen & Danielle Phillips, CoChairs of Independent Living Communities Working Group

• Gettysburg has a four year residency requirement, and there is a process in place for some students to live off campus, based upon how many residential beds are open. Less students are currently being released to live off campus, due to current student enrollment.
• Independent Living Community is housing opportunity for senior students that replicates the setting of non-campus housing.
• Working Group has a list of questions and is seeking feedback on the program? (Q&A Session)
  • When you think about the off campus experience, what is appealing?
    • Cheaper housing options.
    • Independence from college policy enforcement.
    • Ability to have large gatherings.
    • Different furniture options.
    • Separation from other students and the rest of campus.
    • Ownership of surroundings (cleanliness, etc).
  • What are specific amenities you would seek?
    • Larger beds.
    • Free laundry.
    • Single rooms.
    • Outdoor space (grill, etc).
    • Living space in the bedroom.
    • Driveway with parking space.
    • Free toilet paper.
    • Freedom from meal plan requirement
  • What are the key components that would make the housing feel independent?
    • Not having campus safety enter the space.
    • Decoration.
    • Candles.
    • Not having to register events.
    • Being able to get into bedroom without key.
    • Various levels of responsibility over utilities.
  • What would be the optimal size and location for the program?
    • Tiny homes or shipping containers.
    • Brick house on corner of Carlisle St and Admissions Building (McPherson House).
      • Would be expensive to bring to code.
    • Motels.
    • Are new properties on the table?
      • Ideally the properties already owned, but if there is something affordable that would meet the need, they would be considered.
      • Zoning ordinances also pose an issue for student housing.
    • Houses on Carlisle St or E Lincoln St.
    • The optimal size for some could be 4-7 and up to 15 for others, based on whether it was a friend group or a whole organization
  • Are there any concerns you have about the program?
    • Taking money away from landlords who rely on the revenue.
      • The impact would likely be small on landlords, as the properties would be filled.
    • If this program came about, would it stop off campus housing altogether?
      • That is possible down the road, but not part of the current plan.
    • Could the program impact the financial aid plans of students who enroll in the program?
      • Housing allotment could be changed based on the cost of housing, but there would be no net loss of student aid for opting into the program.
  • Lack of continuity in the residents of the property.
  • Theme or cultural houses being taken away for senior housing.
    • High performing houses will be protected in the program process.
  • How would it be determined which houses will be discontinued?
    • Each year, houses are evaluated and a determination is made as to whether or not they will continue. The change for thriving houses would be whether they continue in their current space, or are moved to another space.
  • How would this program affect housing options / availability for sophomores and juniors?
    • That depends on which areas are being converted into this type of housing, because if housing options like Apple and Quarry are not altered, they may be more available for younger students, as they would be in lesser demand among seniors.
  • Does the process of acquiring ILC differ for international students?
    • No.
• Timeline
  • An outline of a plan will be available between Thanksgiving and Winter Break and a pilot program will begin in Fall 2026.

Officer Reports 

• President Roman Jordan
  • Ella Prieto attended last Borough Council meeting on behalf of Student Senate.
    • E Water St Bridge has critical deficiency (one corroded / rusted beam, requiring closure, including sidewalk repair. Will take several months due to bidding process required by PA law, and material acquisition.
    • Borough is planning for America’s Bisequeneniall, from November 18-22 next year, which will include a reenactment of Lincoln’s Visit to Gettysburg. 80,000 expected visitors to Gettysburg.
    • Police Report
      • New co-responder (assists police with mental health criseses).
      • New officer will be joining the force in December once he graduates Police Academy.
      • 10 applicants are being reviewed for a new full time officer, with a priority on diversifying the police force.
    • Christmas Craft Festival will take place 1st weekend of December at Gettysburg Area Recreation Park.
• Vice President Duquette
  • Attended faculty meeting, and shortening the add/drop period was proposed, but was not acted upon.
• Parliamentarian DiLuzio
  • Two seats are vacant – one Senator of the Class of 2028, and one Senator at Large.
  • Two policies are on the floor this evening.
•  Treasurer Amer
  • Used $27,000 so far this semester, and we are in a good position
• Secretary Bumps
  • No report.
• Inclusion Officer Delena
  • DEI Office is looking for volunteers for marketing content.
  • Indigenous Peoples’ Day Dinner on October 23 at 5 PM in Servo

Advisor Reports

• Jon Allen
  • Please discuss the potential of a DC shuttle with friends for next week.
  • Provide feedback on ILCs to Jon or Michelle.
• Jeff Foster
  • No report.

Committee Reports

• Academic & Career Affairs Committee – McKenzie Huff
  • Finished Ralph Caveleiere Award process.
• Budget Management Committee – Treasurer Amer
  • There is a budget on the floor this evening for SANGAM.
• Board of Committee Chairs – Vice President Duquette
  • BOCC members should check their text messages.
• College Life Advisory Committee – Elle Brignati
  • CLAC has discussed student wages, and hosted Jon Allen at the last meeting.
• Inclusion Committee – Dejah Hill
  • Event is being arranged for student wellness and inclusion with Officer Delena.
• Opinions Committee – Alexandra Jurow
  • An opinion is on the floor tonight.
• Outreach Committee – Secretary Bumps
  • Committee meeting time will be set tonight.
• Rules & Administration Committee – Parliamentarian DiLuzio
  • Reach out to Parliamentarian with concerns on the bylaws.
• Wellness & Safety Committee – Ethan Acevedo
  • No meeting this week. Insuring wellness resources are accessible to students.

Club Reports & Announcements

• Gettysburg Wellness Advisory Committee is hosting Wellness Wednesday on 10/22 with dogs.
• The Center for Career Engagement application for the January Job Shadow Program went out today.
• The Patrick Henry Society will be hosting a Delaware State Senator on 10/22 at 6:30 PM.
• Mr Alpha O will take place on 10/31 from 6 PM to 8 PM in Plank Gym.
• BurgBurst will take place on 11/25. They have emailed all cultural clubs asking if they would host a food table.

Student Concerns 

• Update on Previous Concerns
  • Dining services is considering reopening Commons on Sundays depending on student interest.
• New Concerns
  • None.

Budget Requests 

• South Asian Network for Global Awareness & Multiculturalism
  • Request for $3,870 for Diwali Celebration.
  • Request down from last year’s approved request of $4,570.
  • Sunday, November 2 from 5 PM to 9 PM in the Attic.
  • About Diwali
    • Festival of Lights celebrating victory of light over darkness, and good over evil.
    • Annual campus celebration to share South Asian culture through food, music, and performance. ● Tradition highlighting multicultural unity and celebration.
  • Event Highlights
    • South Asian dinner catered by Himalayan Fusion in Harrisburg.
    • Cultural performances and music, photo booth and stage decorations, and fireworks.
  • Budget Breakdown
    • Food & Drinks
      • 2025 Cost – $3,100
      • 2024 Cost – $3,400
      • Notes – Reduced $300 by optimizing catering quantities.
    • Fireworks
      • 2024/2025 Cost – $500
    • Utensils
      • 2024/2025 Cost – $150
    • Decorations
      • 2024 Cost – $500
      • 2025 Cost – $100
      • Notes – Reduced by $400 by reuse from last year and use from Culture Shock.
    • Total
      • 2024 Cost – $4,570
      • 2025 Cost – $3,870
  • Q&A
    • Is this an anchor event?
      • Yes.
  • Motion to pass in full.
    • Motion passed

Old Business 

• None.

New Business 

• Tier 1 Organization Bylaws Amendment
  • Proposed Addition to BMC Charter, Article II, Section C(2)(c):
    • Clubs recognized as Tier 1 Organizations by OSAGL shall be required to appear before the BMC to access their base budget.
      • Funds shall be released by a simple majority vote of the BMC. 
  • Motion to adopt bylaws amendment.
    • Motion passed.
• Ralph Caveleiere Award Policy Creation
  • Proposed Policy:
    • Article I: Purpose
      • Ralph Cavaliere Award is presented annually during Fall Honors Day to a full–time faculty member who exhibits excellence in teaching;
    • Article II: Procedure
      • A) No later than two (2) weeks prior to the commencement of voting, an email shall be distributed to the entirety of the student body. Said email shall contain a form through which any student may submit a nomination for the Ralph Cavaliere Award, including a brief written statement specifying the grounds upon which the nominee is deemed deserving of the award. The nomination form shall remain open for a period of seven (7) days;
      • B) Upon the expiration of the initial seven-day period, a subsequent survey shall be distributed to the entirety of the student body. Such survey shall contain the names of all professors nominated in the original survey. Each student shall be entitled to select no more than three (3) professors for consideration. The survey shall remain open for a period of seven (7) days;
      • C) Any professor receiving three or more votes will advance to the second phase of voting. During this phase, all voting members of the Senate will be presented with a list of the qualifying professors. Each professor’s name, along with a brief description of their qualifications for the award, will be read aloud. Following this, the Senate will cast their votes, and the professor receiving a plurality of votes will be nominated for the Ralph Cavaliere Award.
    • Article III: Ties
      • In the event of a tie between the two (2) top vote-getters, the winner will be decided through a runof vote of the two tied nominations. In case of a second tie, another vote will be cast exclusively by the Senate executive board. The President of the Senate shall be deprived of a vote.
    • Article IV: Eligibility
      • A) All professors, regardless of their title, are eligible for this award. Including but not limited to:
        • Tenured
        • Adjunct
        • Visiting
        • Associate
        • Assistant
        • Lecturer
    • B) A professor who has received this award in the preceding year shall be ineligible for consideration in the subsequent year.
  • Motion to amend on floor
    • Motion passed.
  • Strike:
    • A) All professors, regardless of their title, are eligible for this award. Including but not limited to:
      • Tenured
      • Adjunct
      • Visiting
      • Associate
      • Assistant
      • Lecturer
  • Replace With:
    • A) All full-time professors are eligible for this award.
  • Motion passed.
  • Motion to end edits.
    • Motion passed.
  • Motion to adopt policy.
    • Motion passed.
• Opinion on concessions stand
  • Proposed Opinion:
    • Whereas: Gettysburg College Athletics and OSAGL have been pushing for increased student and campus community engagement in nighttime athletics events under the new lights on the field.
    • Whereas: A concession stand enhances the campus atmosphere during athletic games, performances, and outdoor events.
    • Whereas: A concession stand could generate revenue for the college through food and beverage sales or of er fundraising opportunities to support student organizations or teams.
    • Be it resolved that: Gettysburg College should build a concession stand in Musselman Stadium to sell snacks and drinks and to enhance the athletic environment at various sporting events and provide opportunities for organizations to fundraise.
  • This opinion was authored by Alex Jurow.
  • Motion to send back to Committee.
    • Motion passed.

Adjourned at 8:18 PM EST.