Student Senate Meeting Minutes
1/7/25
Joel Tranel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Joel Tranel, Caden Boyer, Noah Lahner, Ali French, Lizzie Pike, Shania Vanlewin, Maeve Cannon, Scott Walker, Allison Ciero, Aidan Indahl (Morgan Reichl), Priyanka Satish, Garett Rotzien, Joey Dunn, Jaedyn Fellenz, Javier Cifuentes, Sidney Polzin, Luke Pilot, Jacob Fiala, Diego Corvera, Zoe Fink, Reese Heitzman, Amanda Siemienas, Conner Perry, Simone Vega, Maggie Albers, Taryn Dornseif
Members Absent: Noah Sheck, Angela Gonzalez Campos, Mario Rodriguez-Gomez, Cynthia Sele
Saint Mary’s Reaccreditation 2024-2026 Presentation:
What is it?
- Reaccreditation Steering Committee
Why Am I Here Today?
- Make you aware of the significant required activity of the university over the next two years that has implications for the university
- Provide you with a general understanding of the importance of accreditation to the institution
- Students and staff participate in the process: (College student representative, graduate school representative)
What is HLC?
- Our institutional accreditor (Higher Learning Commission)
- 1 of 7 regional accrediting agencies in the United States
What is the mission?
- Quality assurance of higher education
- Measure the quality of the students
- Without this reaccreditation, there couldn’t be financial aid
HLC- Open Pathway:
- 10-Year Cycle: Last comprehensive review/visit in 2016
- Year 4 Review: Document Review Only (2021)
- Student Surveys
- Assurance Argument and Federal Compliance Report
- HLC Team Visit to our campus in the Fall 2026
Criteria and Core Components:
- Criteria of Accreditation come with standards that need to be followed by the university
- Criteria 1: Mission
- Criteria 2: Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
- Criteria 3: Teaching and Learning for Student Success
- Criteria 4: Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources, and Planning
Federal Compliance:
- These requirements are necessary to meet federal standards and make sure the university is up to date with the State mandates
Common Goal:
- Assure the university’s continued accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (IMPROVEMENT!)
Student View:
- The Higher Learning Commission and Saint Mary’s University can be searched to see what the committee has done for us and what is happening!
Executive Board Reports
Maggie Newhouse, President
- Welcome Priyanka and Taryn to the Senate!
- A link has been sent out for the Day at the Capital to register
- New sizes for the Senate t-shirts are available
Joel Tranel, Vice President of Financial Affairs
- Club Budget Training Meeting next Monday in Salvi
- Due on February 16th at 11:59 pm
- March 11th is when the Senate hears the budgets
Mario Rodriguez-Gomez, Vice President of Campus Affairs
- Nothing to report
Noah Lahner, Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Nothing to report
Caden Rodning, Vice President of Public Affairs
- Day at the Capitol is on March 25th!
Ali French, Vice President of Student Affairs
- M and W basketball away at Augsburg tomorrow at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm
- M hockey home at 7:05 pm Friday
- M and W basketball home Saturday at 1 pm and 3 pm
- M hockey way Saturday at 7:05 pm
Taryn Dornseif, Vice President of Media and Communications
- Nothing to report
Lizzie Pike, Vice President of Administrative Affairs
- Upcoming class officer fundraisers!
Shania Vanlewin, Vice President of Multicultural Affairs
- Inclusion & Human Dignity Week will be January 20-24, 2025
- All week – MLK Jr. timeline in Aquinas
- Tuesday- Prayer Service at 12 pm
- Wednesday- Mass for Peace and Justice at 12:15 pm, 7 pm in Aquinas -Guest Speaker Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
- Friday- Community Service Project
Scott Walker, Advisor
- Nothing to report
Class Officer Reports
Freshman
- Nothing to report
Sophomore
- Nothing to report
Junior
- Nothing to report
Senior
- Nothing to report
Senator Concerns: Nothing to report
Adjournment
Motion made to Adjourn- Jacob Fiala
Seconded – Joey Dunn
Adjourned at 7:33 pm
