Student Senate Meeting Minutes
3/18/25
Maggie Newhouse called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Maggie Newhouse, Taryn Dornseif, Joel Tranel, Ali French, Caden Boyer, Mario Rodriguez-Gomez, Shania Vanlewin, Scott Walker, Allison Ciero, Priyanka Satish, Garrett Rotzien, Joey Dunn, Sidney Polzin, Jacob Fiala, Diego Corvera (Allie Verkuilen), Zoe Fink, Reese Heitzman, Amanda Siemienas, Maggie Albers, Conner Perry, Luke Pilot, Simone Vega, Aidan Indahl (Matthew Limbaugh)
Members Absent: Jaedyn Fellenz, Javier Cifuentes and Lizzie Pike
Dennis Egan, Day at the Capital Training
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- Works with MN Private Council, which the Student Senate will be interacting with at the capitol.
- The main goal for our visit to the capitol is to advocate for financial aid for private schools.
- ⅖ students receive MN State grants, which means 70,000 families are receiving these grants to afford college.
- Who Gets the MN State Grant? A Minnesota resident who attends higher education and whose household income is in the range of $20,000-$80,000 a year. You can see if you qualify for this by filling out your FAFSA. However, private schools don’t have access to this right now, just public universities.
- Concerns for Legislation: There isn’t a large budget to give money to all of the private schools on top of the public schools. However, we want to advocate that you should be able to go to any university, no matter your household income status.
- 9 other Minnesota Private Campuses are also advocating for the same thing we are.
Budget Request: Biology Club (Requesting $402)
The motion to fund at the suggested amount of $240 was made by: Sydney Polzin
Seconded by: Joey Dunn
For: 15
Against: 0
Abstained: 0
Motion passes
Budget Request: Club Hockey (Requesting $8,230)
- One way the money will be used within this request is getting new wheels for the skate sharpener since it is used a lot and worn.
Motion to fund at the suggested amount of $7,070 was made by: Conner Perry
Seconded by: Garrett Rotizen
For: 12
Against: 0
Abstained: 3
Motion passes
Budget Request: PR/Business Club (Requesting $566)
- The club is looking to encourage students to attend more professional and nonprofessional events throughout the school year. Also, planning on encouraging freshmen to come and socialize in the club.
- An event they are looking forward to doing is Book Mastery, which encourages students to read more books through the Winona Public Library. They would buy these books through the public library and sell them to students for a smaller price.
Motion to fund at the suggested amount of $570 was made by: Garrett Rotzin
Seconded by: Conner Perry
For: 15
Against: 0
Abstained: 0
Motion passes
Budget Request: Colleges Against Cancer (Requesting $592)
Motion to fund at the suggested amount of $600 was made by: Joey Dunn
Seconded by: Jacob Fiala
For: 14
Against: 0
Abstained: 1
Motion passes
Budget Request: Future Healthcare Professionals (Requesting $314)
- As a club, they are planning on doing a tie-making blanket event, where students help make blankets to donate to the warming shelter.
Motion to fund at the suggested amount of $320 was made by: Conner Perry
Seconded by: Joey Dunn
For: 13
Against: 0
Abstained: 2
Motion passes
Academic Request of $90: Abigail Meyer
- Looking for money to attend a conference at the Mississippi River Consortium to present research. The conference fee is $90.
The motion to fund at the suggested amount of $90 was made by: Sydney Polzin
Seconded by: Garrett Rotzien
For: 15
Against: 0
Abstained: 0
Motion passes
Executive Board Reports
Maggie Newhouse, President
- Voting for Senator of the Year and Executive of the Year closes at midnight tonight.
- RSVP forthe Senate Banquet and say dietary restrictions.
- Tracy from Chartwells had something come up and will be coming back in the next couple of weeks.
Joel Tranel, Vice President of Financial Affairs
- We are at a good spot with our funding.
Mario Rodriguez-Gomez, Vice President of Campus Affairs
- Nothing to report.
Noah Lahner, Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Curriculum committee meeting tomorrow: discussing the Catholic Education proposal again, they are coming back to discuss concerns that were brought up in the last meeting, including consulting with other departments regarding courses and staffing, providing more clarity in the major description that it is non-licensure and other questions about different specifics from different courses.
- Career services handshake challenge is still going on, reminding the class that gets the most additional profiles gets $200 for their class fund, make sure you have experience, organization, and skills on your handshake profile.
Caden Rodning, Vice President of Public Affairs
- Day at the Capitol is next Tuesday and we will meet at 6:45 am.
Ali French, Vice President of Student Affairs
- On Saturday at 6:30 pm, SAC is hosting trivia with prizes, such as $500 in cash!
- Women’s Tennis is Home on Friday
Taryn Dornseif, Vice President of Media and Communications
- The election poll is closed and will be posted on Thursday.
- Executive board positions are still available, so contact Taryn if you are interested!
Lizzie Pike, Vice President of Administrative Affairs
- The Junior Class Officers raised $49 selling alcohol at St. Patrick’s Day Trivia!
Shania Vanlewin, Vice President of Multicultural Affairs
- ASA is doing spring roll-making this Friday from 5-7 pm in Hendrickson 120. Attend if you can!
Scott Walker, Advisor
- Nothing to report.
Class Officer Reports
Sophomores
- Will be selling a drink, chips, and hotdogs at the baseball game on April 5th. Come support! Cash only.
- Will be selling Bublr’ at the softball game on April 12th. Come support! Cash only.
Juniors
- Raised $49 of alcohol sales last night at St. Patrick’s Day Trivia!
Seniors
- Will be posting Gaslight details soon.
- Narrowing down the options for Senior Day.
- Planning the Senior Luncheon for the seniors after the practice graduation ceremony.
Senator Concerns:
- None
Adjournment
Motion made to Adjourn- Jacob Fiala
Seconded- Joey Dunn
Adjourned at 7:56 pm.
