Student Senate Meeting Minutes
4/15/25
President Maggie Newhouse called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Maggie Newhouse, Taryn Dornseif, Ali French, Joel Tranel, Caden Boyer, Lizzie Pike, Shania Vanlewin, Mario Rodriguez-Gomez, Scott Walker, Allison Ciero, Priyanka Satish, Garrett Rotzien, Joey Dunn, Sidney Polzin, Jaedyn Fellenz, Zoe Fink, Reese Heitzman, Amanda Siemienas, Maggie Albers, Conner Perry, Aidan Indahl (Peter Quinn), Javier Cifuentes, Diego Corvera
Members Absent: Noah Lahner, Luke Pilot, Simone Vega, Jacob Fiala
Philosophy Club:
- Hoping to start a club and be supported by the Student Senate.
- Promote the human person, guest lectures, discussions, inquiries, and disciplinary engagement of philosophy throughout the club.
- We are hoping they can create a club, so they can do this fun outside of the classroom due to their strong beliefs in philosophy in the human person.
- Have weekly meetings that include friendly debates, seniors explain their thesis, and a movie/discussion night. There have been 20 students who actively participate in the club.
- Next year, they are looking to attend the Minnesota Philosophical Conference in the Twin Cities and have a debate with students and faculty.
- ¾ of the students who are in the club aren’t Philosophy majors, so it’s open for anyone!
Resolution 006: Campus CCTV Project
- We have decided to fund $30,000 to fund for the cameras coming onto campus next semester. This is around 60% of the funding for the cameras.
- These will be going into Skemp and Heffron Halls. Students will be made aware of where and when the cameras are installed next school year.
- There will be three phases for these cameras around campus.
Motion to adopt Resolution: Joey Dunn
Seconded: Jaedyn Fellenz
For: 13
Against: 1
Abstain: 0
Motion Passes
Resolution 007: Disc Golf Baskets
- New baskets are in need on the disc golf course in The Woods, requested by maintenance. This would make them easier to see and rotate. These would be able to be locked for theft, as well. Overall, they are easier to maintain and keep up. Also, there is a donation box for the public that will be put on Hole 1 for those who use it throughout the summer and school year. This is a popular course that is used by students and the Winona community.
- The use of this course and its maintenance are very important. This money will be used to purchase the baskets; the labor is free, since the maintenance is installing them.
Motion to adopt Resolution: Garrett Rotzien
Seconded: Priyanka Satish
For: 14
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Motion Passes
Summer Project Allocation:
- New free weights are going to be installed for Brother William and Brother Leopold this summer to see if there is success in the use by students.
- $4,000 will be used to replace new appliances in the kitchens in the dorms. RSM is in the greatest need of new appliances.
- We are looking to get an amount to replace furniture in RSM.
- Maintenance is willing to put two new microwaves on 2 floors of Skemp.
Executive Board Reports
Maggie Newhouse, President
- Thank you for attending the banquet!
- A stairmaster is possibly looking to be implemented into the cardio room.
- Plazapoolza is next Friday from 7-9 pm, and we have a table, so come see us!
Joel Tranel, Vice President of Financial Affairs
- Nothing to report.
Mario Rodriguez-Gomez, Vice President of Campus Affairs
- Not all the Residence Hall signs are fully up yet, since they found money to fund for these signs, so the
Noah Lahner, Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Nothing to report.
Caden Rodning, Vice President of Public Affairs
- Congrats on Maggie Newhouse being an All In Nomination of Senior of the Year!
Ali French, Vice President of Student Affairs
- Congrats to Softball for the 17th ranking on the NFCA Coaching Poll
- Softball is home tomorrow at 2:30 and 4:30 vs. Concordia.
- Softball has JV scrimmages at home this Friday at 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm.
- Baseball and Softball are home Saturday at 1 pm and 3 pm
- A baseball event in the overflow lot is happening on Saturday is before and during the game, celebrating 100 years of baseball
- Baseball is at home on Sunday at 2 pm
- Reminder: Break starts at 7 pm on Wednesday. If you need to stay, please fill out the break form.
- Dorms open up at 12pm on Monday.
Taryn Dornseif, Vice President of Media and Communications
- Nothing to report.
Lizzie Pike, Vice President of Administrative Affairs
- The sophomore class officers finished their final fundraiser, raising around $100 selling hot dogs, chips, and drinks at the softball game on Saturday!
- The junior class will complete their last fundraiser next Friday, selling alcohol at Plazapalooza from 7-9 pm. Cash only!
- The freshmen class officers raised $50 selling plastic Easter eggs filled with candy today!
- Thank you to everyone who donated to our fundraisers; it was so great to see the students engage in them.
Shania Vanlewin, Vice President of Multicultural Affairs
- Nothing to report.
Scott Walker, Advisor
- Nothing to report.
Class Officer Reports
Freshmen
- We raised $50 selling plastic Easter eggs filled with candy today.
Sophomores
- We raised around $100 on Saturday selling hot dogs, drinks, and chips at the softball game.
Juniors
- For our last fundraiser, we will be selling alcohol at Plazapalooza on April 28th. Cash only!
Seniors
- Gaslight was this past weekend and was a success. Thank you!
- Seniors, look in your SMUMN email for a spot to attach pictures for a senior day picture slideshow.
Senator Concerns:
- Zoe: The washer and dryer are not working well right now in the athletics hallway, and softball senior day is on Saturday.
Adjournment
Motion made to Adjourn- Joey Dunn
Seconded- Connor Perry
Adjourned at 7:30 pm.
