Meeting was called to order by President Maggie Newhouse at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Connor Close, Mario Rodriguez Gomez, Lizzie Pike, Alison French, Sidney Polzin, Gabe Potyk, Abbie Stigler (Naleya Bork), Jacob Fiala, Abby Nosbisch, Owen Ziegler, Caden Rodning, Emma Mara, Teagan Phillips, Melanie Winzenburg, Mallory Von Tersch, Emma Gerdes, Leah Parker, Paige Morris, Jack Campion, Maggie Newhouse, Joel Tranel, Nick Kiemel, Noah Kiemel, Maddi Clark and Ann Merchlewitz (Niki Peterson)
Members Absent:
None
Members Excused:
Sam Frick
Guest Speaker: Dennis Egan
- Day of the Capital 2024
- Advocates for Minnesota Student Aid and Minnesota Private College Council ● Minnesota State Grant is what we are going to talk about with the legislators. ● 18 member schools in Minnesota, including Saint Marys, is part of the private colleges ● We advocate at the state and federal levels on behalf of our private, nonprofit college members.
- The State Grant is similar to the Pell Grant on the federal level. ⅖ MN students receive state grants. This grant allows students to earn certificates, associates degrees and bachelor’s degrees at public, tribal and private colleges.
- The State Grant improves access and equality in higher education. 39% of all students receive a Minnesota State Grant. 66% come from a family that earns less than $50,000. ● Last year The North Star Act was passed and will be taking into effect for 2024-2025 school year.
○ Household income of $80,000 or less per year would allow you to qualify ○ Allow students to go to a public college for free in Minnesota
○ ⅓ of Minnesota Residents go to private colleges
○ This was considered a “last dollar” scholarship, which means it is after a student has applied for the Pell Grants, State Grants, Other Scholarships.
- We try to encourage them to allow more financial aid for those students in private colleges. The North Star Promise program did leave out the 1/3rd of students in our state who attend private, nonprofit colleges. We request them to invest $13.9 million for the Promise Equalization Scholarship. This will provide additional funding for State Grant recipients at nonprofit colleges.
- There are indications that a bill to help with private college costs is in the works for this year. (Financial Aid) This needs to be brought to Private Ed and shows its importance. ● What does the day look like?
○ Get on the bus early.
○ Arrive at the capital and have a “morning meeting” and get your packet for the day.
○ Each person will have their schedule, meal ticket (provided), informational packet, etc.
○ Explore the Capitol grounds!
○ Each person will meet with their allotted legislators throughout the day. You will introduce yourself and why you are there. You use your voice to emphasize the information on the packet.
○ Will be done by 1 pm.
○ Have an end-of-the-day meeting with everyone.
○ Then you will get back on the bus to go back to campus.
- Contact Information:
○ Dennis Egan
■ Email: dennis@eganpublicaffairs.com
■ Phone: 612-325-1330
○ Olivia Brammer
■ Email: obrammer@mnprivatecolleges.org
■ Phone: 612-799-9389
Current Events Discussion:
- Senators get to decide what amendments, budgets, and policies passed. You all should share your opinions about each of these, especially with budgets coming up. ● Senator Elections in the Spring
○ Freshman Representatives are the dorm representatives.
○ Exclude Seniors to vote on next year’s positions.
○ Once next year’s senate is elected, have them sit in on a meeting. This is the same as the Executive Board.
○ Training at the beginning of the year. (make motions)
○ Some think it is better because of the timing.
○ It would make Noah’s life easier for running the election, starting school, and trying to get people to sign up for the senate.
○ Over the summer class officers can plan when they want to do fundraisers. ● Possibility of recording the meetings
○ The thought is to get more engagement on campus
○ It is open to the public
○ Advertise on the TVs when we have specialty guest speakers
○ Possibly having different accesses for activities coming around
○ AWARENESS to students on campus!
○ Possibly table twice a month to give out information about the senate and what we are doing
- Funding for the Winona City Transit
○ Senate funds the monthly pass for students who use the bus
○ Possibly try it for a semester so we can collect data
■ How many people on campus ride the bus
■ We don’t know about the price yet
○ Around 90% of students live on campus
■ Ask campus safety how many students have a car pass for numbers on campus that have a car
○ Pay for a sum of passes that cover the yearly fee and keep them in the library to be rented out
Executive Board Reports
Maggie Newhouse, President
- If you have not RSVP’d for the Student Senate banquet or the Day at the Capitol, please do so on your Google calendar. If you have conflicts with those dates, please come talk to me after the meeting.
- Please let me know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
- Thursday, March 14th, from 3-5 pm, students will have a conflict resolution workshop in Salvi Hall. Students will receive a certificate of completion at the end, something to put on their resume.
- March 12th is vocal nominations for the Presidential Election.
- Updates on the Canvas Prints, they should be here in 3-4 weeks.
Joel Tranel, Vice President of Financial Affairs
- Club Leaders be on the lookout for an email from me in the next couple of weeks about when your club’s budget meeting will be.
Sam Frick, Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Nothing to report.
Paige Morris, Vice President of Student Affairs
- Events for the week
○ Wednesday
■ Office Trivia 7:30 Toner lounge
○ Thursday
○ Friday
○ Saturday
■ Women’s Hockey Playoff 2 pm
○ Sunday
○ Monday
- Hunger Free Campus:
○ Heard back from Alison. They hired someone but there is nothing we can do this year.
○ There may be a hunger-free campus meeting soon.
Jack Campion, Vice President of Public Affairs
- Register for the Day of the Capital.
- Encourage your friends to go! Everyone is welcome!
○ Link to register for Day at the Capitol
■ Register by March 7th!
- If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Jack or Dennis.
Nick Kiemel, Vice President of Campus Affairs
- The ice machine for the pub is here. He is waiting to hear back on the installation date but am hoping it is next week.
- Thank you to everyone who filled out my capital improvements survey!
Noah Kiemel, Vice President of Media and Communications
- Senator Spotlights on the Instagram account are finished.
- Executive Board elections coming up after the break, please get in touch with me if you are interested in a position.
- You in the Senate are our best advocates and I need your support to fill positions for next year.
- If you think someone would be interested, please pass along their contact information to me.
Maddi Clark, Vice President of Administrative Affairs
- Class Officers, please come speak with me after the meeting.
Leah Parker, Vice President of Multicultural Affairs
- Nothing to report.
Ann Merchlewitz, Advisor
- Nothing to report.
Class Officer Reports
Freshman
- Nothing to report
Sophomore
- Working on a date for their future event.
Junior
- Going over details and finalization with their future event.
Senior
- Meet to discuss Gaslight today. Moving in the right direction.
Senator Concerns:
- If there are any capital improvement ideas or questions you can reach out to any of the Executive Board members or bring it up to the general senate.
- There is a Google form on the website and Instagram.
- The idea for an event: Bonfire in the back
○ Request funds for snacks and wood
Adjournment
Motion made to Adjourn- Jacob Fiala
Seconded – Connor Close
Motion passes unanimously
Meeting Adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
