Student Senate Meeting Minutes
10/20/26
President Noelle Buckley called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Prayer and reflection by Dominic Taylor.
Members Present: Noelle Buckley, Ariana Florez Diaz, Karli Zetah, Angel Garcia, Bobby Skemp, Jaedyn Fellenz, Rylee O’Konek, Elliot Marr, Cannon Manley, Libby Dellessio, Bella Stone, Caroline Paulson, Julissa Zuniga, Yeelou Xiong, Nora Millner, Vincent Castillo, Matthew Misko, Suzette Alvarez, Fareedah Oyesola, Lydia Hawkins, Simone Roman Vega, Madeleine Moua, Melissa Torres (Ashley Olmedo), Dominic Taylor, Brajan Baszak, Ife Alese, Jocelyn Jimenez Ramos
Members Absent: Bella Norris and Grace Leis
New Club Recognition: Fiber Arts Club
- Fiber Arts Club will focus on fiber arts, such as crocheting and knitting, with tutorials and themed events for members.
- They plan to provide materials for members and meet biweekly on Thursdays from 7:00–9:00 PM, potentially in the library’s Puzzle Room (Room 104) or a classroom.
- Dr. Ransom from the Psychology Department will serve as the club advisor.
- Approximately 10 students have expressed interest, and they hope to expand.
- Future projects include collaborating with other organizations, such as Culture of Life, to create and donate tie blankets.
Motion to adopt Request: Libby Dellessio
Seconded: Simone Roman Vega
For: 20
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Motion Passes
New Club Recognition: H2O
- H2O hopes to create a community of believers under Campus Ministry, primarily focusing on Protestant denominations while welcoming students of all faith backgrounds.
- The club plans to collaborate with Pleasant Valley Church but will remain student-run.
- They plan to host weekly Bible studies, monthly fellowship nights, and worship events to encourage faith, involvement, and a sense of belonging among students.
- Meetings will likely take place in Aquinas Hall, with Bible studies held at various locations around campus.
- Approximately 30 students have expressed interest in joining the club.
- The club budget would be used for snacks and activities during fellowship nights.
Motion to adopt Request: Fareedah Oyesola
Seconded: Brajan Bazak
For: 20
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Motion Passes
Special Request: Photography Club
- The Photography Club is requesting $1,724 for a camera lens, camera bag, backup battery, and SD card.
- They currently borrow a camera from the Business Department and hopes that having its own equipment will improve efficiency and encourage more student involvement.
- The equipment will be property maintained, as some members have experience repairing cameras.
- The finance committee recommended the amount of $1,600, excluding the camera bag, backup battery, and SD card.
- The full amount was not recommended due to payments the club has received from Saint Mary’s for past events.
Motion to adopt request at $1600: Simone Roman Vega
Seconded: Libby Dellessio
For: 19
Against: 0
Abstained: 1
Motion Passes
Guest Speaker: Olivia Brammer – Minnesota Private College Advocacy and communications coordinator
- The Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) represents 18 private, nonprofit colleges in Minnesota at the state and federal levels. The organization works with admissions, marketing, and college presidents, with a strong focus on advocating for financial aid programs.
- One of MPCC’s main priorities is the Minnesota State Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to low and middle income Minnesota students who demonstrate financial need through FAFSA.
- Approximately 400 students at Saint Mary’s currently receive state grants.
- The State Grant Program was not fully funded during the last legislative session, resulting in a funding deficit and reductions in some grants.
- Approximately 13,000 students attending private colleges across Minnesota have been impacted by these funding reductions.
- MPCC is encouraging students to advocate for the State Grant Program by writing letters to legislators. A letter-writing event will take place tomorrow, October 21st from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM.
- Some legislators have questioned whether students attending private colleges should receive state grants, so students are encouraged to advocate.
- MPCC is also encouraging students to complete the State Financial Aid survey, regardless of whether they currently receive a state grant or are Minnesota residents. The link is found here:
- https://www.research.net/r/OHE26_SF
- The survey closes Friday, and the results will be included in a final report to the Commissioner of Higher Education and shared with legislators involved in higher education funding decisions.
- The Minnesota Office of Higher Education recently received a $100,000 grant to evaluate and redesign state financial aid programs, including examining the effectiveness of the Minnesota State Grant Program.
Guest Speaker: Tracy Lehnertz – AVP for Institutional Effectiveness Reaccreditation – Office of Institutional Effectiveness
- Saint Mary’s University has been preparing for reaccreditation for the past two years.
- The university submitted a 100-page Assurance Argument and a Federal Compliance Document.
- Student Senate was highlighted in the university’s submitted documents as an example of student involvement in governance and leadership opportunities. The Senate webpage, bylaws, and several resolutions were included as supporting evidence.
- The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) review team will be on campus next Monday and Tuesday.
- The reviewers will begin by meeting with the president and the president’s cabinet, followed by additional meetings and open sessions with university employees. Their goal is to confirm that campus operations align with the submitted documents.
- The review team will not be interviewing students, as a student survey was completed last spring with 372 responses. Overall, feedback was positive, with some concerns regarding the university’s Catholic identity, major options, food, and lack of weekend activities.
- The review team consists of five trained reviewers, typically, faculty, staff and administrators from other institutions.
- The review will focus on the university’s mission, integrity, teaching and learning, and institutional sustainability.
- The university expects to receive a draft report within 30 days and an accreditation decision within 30–60 days following the draft report.
- Approximately 30% of universities receive feedback as “met with concerns,” which allows institutions to make improvements.
- Additional information can be found on the Academic Affairs webpage using a Saint Mary’s email account.
- This is Tracy’s 34th year at Saint Mary’s, and she will be retiring this year after completing her third accreditation cycle. Student Senate and the Saint Mary’s community thank her for her years of service and dedication to the university.
Executive Board Reports
Noelle Buckley, President
- The meeting with Father Burns on the Tuesday before fall break went well.
- Everyone should have received an email regarding the committee they have been assigned to.
Angel Garcia, Vice President of Financial Affairs
- The next finance committee meeting will be held on November 2 at 12:15PM.
Bobby Skemp, Vice President of Campus Affairs
- Highway cleanup is planned for October 24 as part of the Lasallian Day of Service. Volunteers will pick up trash along Highway 14. It begins at 9:00AM, and senators will be meeting in the plaza. Cannon will be taking photos during the event.
- The first facilities committee meeting will take place immediately after this meeting.
Grace Leis, Vice President of Academic Affairs
- The General Education Assessment Committee (GEAC) held their first meeting today from 12:15PM to 1PM, and the HLC accreditation was talked about.
Bella Norris, Vice President of Public Affairs
- Tomorrow, October 21st, there will be a “letters to legislators” event held in the basement of the Toner building from 10AM to 2PM. Participation is encouraged.
Karli Zetah, Vice President of Student Affairs
- Wednesday: Women’s Soccer vs. Concordia at 1:00 PM; Men’s Soccer vs. Concordia at 3:30 PM.
- Friday: Women’s Hockey at MSOE at 6:00 PM; Men’s Hockey at UW-Stout at 7:00 PM; Women’s Volleyball vs. St. Kate’s at 7:00 PM.
- Saturday: Women’s Soccer at Macalester at 12:30 PM; Women’s Hockey vs. Dubuque at 2:00 PM; Men’s Soccer at Macalester at 3:00 PM; Women’s Volleyball vs. St. Scholastica; Men’s Hockey vs. UW-River Falls at 7:00 PM.
- Saturday – Icebreaker Event:
- 2:00 PM – Women’s Hockey vs. Dubuque (beanie giveaway)
- 4:00–7:00 PM – Hot dogs available from a food truck
- 4:00–5:00 PM – Skate with the Cardinals
- 5:00–7:00 PM – Outdoor activities, including yard games, sign making, hot cocoa, and cider
- 7:00 PM – Men’s Hockey vs. UW-River Falls (beanie giveaway)
- Free admission for all
Jaedyn Fellenz, Vice President of Media and Communications
- All Student Senate spotlights are currently being created. If you have not emailed your photos yet, please do so as soon as possible.
- The Student Senate board in Saint Mary’s is being updated.
Rylee O’Konek, Vice President of Administrative Affairs
- Make sure to fill out the surveys that Olivia Brammer provided us with, as we are the voice for the student body!
Ariana Flores Diaz, Vice President of Multicultural Affairs
- Por La Cultura is hosting an event, “Antojitos, Arte y Alegría,” and it will take place on October 22nd. The event will feature a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, clay making, pipe cleaner flower making, and cultural cuisine.
Scott Walker, Advisor
- Nothing to report.
Class Officer Reports
Freshmen
- Nothing to report.
Sophomores
- At our fundraiser over Family Weekend on October 3rd, we raised $132.74 for our sophomore class!
Juniors
- Nothing to report.
Seniors
- Nothing to report.
Senator Concerns:
- Suzette Alvarez: At the recent board meeting, Roger Haydock mentioned that he would like to speak to Student Senate.
- Lydia Hawkins: Andy Modjeski would like to contact the senior class officers regarding the senior day.
- Jocelyn Jimenez Ramos: Can we talk to maintenance about the wasp issue on the fourth floor of Saint Mary’s Hall?
Adjournment
Motion made to Adjourn- Simone Roman Vega
Seconded- Elliot Marr
Adjourned at 8:08 PM.
