Student Senate meeting minutes Oct. 12

Student Senate – October 12, 2021

Meeting called to order by President Elijah Williams at 7:05 p.m.

Prayer by Robert Budzius

Members Present

Mary Furlong, Joseph Schauf, Jonathan Krull, Angel Sacta Espinoza, Riley Hall, Lyanna Novak, Destiny Walker, Sophia O’Neil, Elijah Williams, Allison Moysis, Robert Budzius, Sam Carlson, Delaney Calabrese, Katie Pierpont, Maria Flynn, Seth Peterson, Maddie Wilsey, Haddy Falkman, Annie Carmean, Liam Gallup, Elise Roxas, Jordan Keeley, Morgan Brown, Josette Francois,

Members Absent

None

Members Excused

Oran Dornelly – Proxy Nathan Herr, Kristian Lindanger – Proxy Thomas Schaming

1. Executive Board Reports
   • Elijah Williams, President
     • Aquinas Hall dedication will be this Friday, October 15 at 2 pm. Any and all students are welcome to attend if able.
     • Last week it was brought to the attention of the executive board that there were a number of concerns in regard to the mannerisms of faculty and staff. Due to a quick turn-around time, the executive board put together a document that was presented to Father Burns (President), Ann Merchlewitz (Senior Vice President and General Counsel), Dean Ronnenberg (Dean of the College), Dr. Brian Schmisek (Provost), as well as many others. This is being looked through and when we hear more, we will be sure to update you all.
     • We hope you all enjoy your fall break – use it to relax and rejuvenate! Please keep in mind the COVID-19 pandemic so that we can return back to campus and continue to have low case numbers!
     • Guide to student life – Draft completed, will be reviewed by the executive board and sent to the senators shortly. Feedback is welcome and the draft will be shared with the senators shortly.
     • Due to the university fall break, the Student Senate will not meet next week, enjoy the day off.
     • Due to the Board of Trustees meeting, Toner 14 will be unavailable later this week, there will be a sign on the door so students are aware
     • The Career Fair will be next week Wednesday, October 20th, look to Saint Mary’s Today and posters around campus for more information
     • Establishment of the senate goals – Form to the senators later tonight. The executive board will review and report back goals for the senate, as well as their own individual and committee goals. Please discuss with others in your area so we can gain campus feedback as well
     • Niki Peterson, Dean of Students, will sit as the advisor for the October 26th Student Senate Meeting
   • Mary Furlong, Vice President for Academic Affairs
     • Pizza with the provost Wednesday at 12:00 PM in the Cafeteria
     • The Student Concerns document was reviewed by upper administration. The concerns have been heard and are being taken to individual department chairs and faculty officers. More on that ongoing conversation is coming.
   • Joseph Schauf, Vice President for Financial Affairs
     • Nothing to report
   • Jonathon Krull, Vice President for Public Affairs
     • Meeting with MAPCS this week to discuss our legislative goals for this year
     • Planning a highway cleanup day with Twigz, more information to come later
   • Angel Sacta Espinoza, Vice President for Campus Affairs
     • Continuing to work through the maintenance concerns
     • Plans have been laid out and so we should be seeing things improve
   • Lyanna Novak, Vice President for Student Affairs
     • Student Life Committee
       • Destiny and I will be working on setting up dates for our student life committee so we’ll be sending out a formal email soon
     • Chartwells
       • I spoke to Joe and almond milk should be available now. They have been experiencing a shortage-a national supply chain issue. It is currently a fluid situation but they hope to continue to provide almond milk as much as they can.
     • Residence Life
       • Residence halls will be closed during fall break and all students must leave by 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15, 2021.
         • Those staying for SMUMN sponsored activities, traveling long distances or are international students are granted break housing unless specifically approved by the Office of Residence Life. A $35 per night fee may be added to a student account for remaining on campus for other reasons not mentioned above.
         • Permission to remain on campus during breaks is not automatic, and those seeking approval must register with the Office of Residence Life by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, 2021 through an online form.
       • Food service will not be available for break. On Friday, October 15, the dining hall will close at 12:00 p.m. and the Cardinal Club will close at 5:00 p.m. Food service will reopen on Tuesday, October 19 for dinner.
       • The food pantry will be available for student use in Vlazny Hall
   • Riley Hall, Vice President for Media and Communications
     • Meeting with Kelly Shannon Wednesday to be involved in the university discussion on the rebranding. If anyone has any suggestions or wants to be involved in this work please let me know (rmhall19@smumn.edu).
     • I am also in contact with the director of IT and she is looking into the wifi concerns and the issue with the student success printer, printing things upside down.
     • I will be working with her to put together an informational poster on what to do if you have wifi issues so they can better support our problems with wifi.
   • Destiny Walker, Vice President for Multicultural Affairs
     • Black Students and Allies (BSA) meets biweekly on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in Aquinas Hall 308. They do have a zoom option and you can email me to get the link. Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) will be meeting on Thursday this week instead of Tuesday. Time and location TBD.
   • Sophia O’Neil, Executive Assistant
     • Please reach out to me if you will be unable to attend the senate meeting and will have a proxy
       • smonei18@smumn.edu
   • Dr. Timothy Gossen, Adviser
     • Saint Mary’s Today has been spotlighting different leadership roles and you can contact me to submit someone for a spotlight
       • tgossen@smumn.edu
2. Class Officer Reports
   • Freshman: None
   • Sophomores: None
   • Juniors: Dunk tank fundraiser in the works
   • Seniors: None
3. Senator Concerns
   • Coffee lids not being available for the morning coffee (prior to cardinal coffee opening)
   • TV’s not connecting with the wifi via clearpass
   • Aquinas Hall – no paper in any printers
     • Please reach out to the helpdesk if this is the case as they oversee those printers
     • helpdesk@smumn.edu
   • Mask mandate – senator concerns in relation to COVID and the information being spread
     • Guests/visitors being made aware of the mask mandate
     • Campus safety not wearing masks
   • Issues with the long emails, would like to see the information be shorter and easier to digest
   • How to make communication in general better
     • Will table for another time
   • How/will the data in relation to vaccinations/exemptions be released?
   • Parking tickets from Campus Safety
   • Cardinal club speakers
     • Loud volume, playing 24/7
4.  Adjournment
   • Motioned by Sam Carlson
   • Seconded by Katie Pierpont
   • Motion passes unanimously
   • Meeting Adjourned at 7:56 p.m.