Student Senate Minutes (11-28-23)

Meeting called to order by President Maggie Newhouse at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present

Mario Rodriguez Gomez, Connor Close (Lizzie Pike), Dayanara Saldarriaga, Alison French,

Sidney Polzin, Gabe Potyk (Jacqueline Avilez), Abbie Stigler, Jacob Fiala, Abby Nosbisch,

Makenna Vickery, Caden Rodning, Emma Mara, Teagan Phillips, Melanie Winzenburg, Mallory

Von Tersch, Emma Gerdes, Maggie Newhouse, Leah Parker, Paige Morris, Sam Frick, Joel

Tranel, Maddi Clark and Ann Merchlewitz

Members Absent

None

Members Excused

Noah Kiemel, Nick Kiemel and Jack Campion

Guest Speaker – Lynette Johnson

• Senior Director of Event Services
• Department of Arts & Event Services
• On campus events, Alverna Center, summer work, internships
  • Meetings
  • Banquets
  • Dinners
  • Sporting events
  • Club & student organization events
  • Presidential Events
• Astra
•  Examples of events:
  • MCA
  • DRVC
  • Tri-State Tournaments
  • Frozen River Film Festival
  • Sandbar Storytelling Festival
  • Lorie Line Performance
  • Jim Flim
  • Sugarloaf Classic
• Alverna Center & Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels
  • Host Retreats
  • Wedding Ceremonies
  • Wedding Receptions
  • Banquet Dinners
  • Concerts
  • Fundraisers
  • Meetings and Conferences
  • Empty and fill the spaces depending on the groups request
• Summer Work
  •  Music & Art
    • Concerts
    • Box-Office
    • Front of House Work
    • Behind the Scenes
  • Weddings & Retreats
    • Guest Check-in & Check-out
    • Room Service
    • Shuttle Service
    • Wedding Set-up
    • Day-Of Wedding Duties
    • Campfire Kindling
    • President’s Office Events
  • Sporting Events
    • Camp Set-up
    • Sports camps (Basketball & Volleyball)
    • Tournament Set-up
    • Camp Check-in
    • Guest Services
• Office Work
  • Create Signage & Posters
    • Signage for new incoming groups
  • Contracts & Invoices
    • Write formal contracts for clients
  • Astra Booking Software
    • Learn how to use the reservation system
• Building your Resume Skills
  • Teamwork
  • Hospitality
  • Customer service
  • Professionalism
  • Organizational
  • Multitasking
• Build an Internships
• Build for a Practicum and Internships
• They are Hiring for the Summer 2024!
  • Email Cover Letter & Resume to eventservices@smumn.edu to apply
  • Looking to hire 4-5 full time staff

Sustainability Club:

• Brooke Kline & Makenna Kriske
• Largest Event
  • Swap meet
    • Bring in their stuff at the end of the semester
    • Others can trade and take
    • Clothes, furniture, school supplies, canned foods, shoes, etc.
    • Two days in the President’s Room
    • Wants to become a more sustainable campus
• Recycle
  • Sort between garbage and recycling
• More opportunities for students to be more sustainable
• 130 Students on the email list
• 20 Students attend meetings regularly

Resolution 001: Freezer for the Food Pantry

• $300 Chest Freezer for the Hunger Free Campus Initiative
• It will be placed in In the Residence Life office where the food pantry is 
• It is open primarily during breaks for students
• Feel free to drop off food for the pantry if you will not use it
• Motion to adopt Resolution 001: Caden Rodning
  • Second: Emma Mara
  • Votes:
    • For: 16
    • Against: 0
    • Abstain: 0
  • Motion Passes

Executive Board Reports

Maggie Newhouse, President

• Nothing to report

Sam Frick, Vice President of Academic Affairs

• The Registration Satisfaction Survey is now out
  • Look for the link in Saint Mary’s Today and several QR codes posted around campus.
  • https://today.smumn.edu/articles/how-did-your-registration-experience-go/
  • Is working to get the link onto the Student Senate Instagram page for the next week.
  • Good engagement so far. Everyone is encouraged  to share with friends/fill out yourself.
  • Will put together responses at the end of the week and share the results next meeting, then talk with the Student Success Center and the Dean.

Joel Tranel, Vice President of Financial Affairs

• Nothing to report

Jack Campion, Vice President of Public Affairs

• Nothing to report

Nick Kiemel, Vice President of Campus Affairs

• Meeting with Jim Bedke and Tim Stengard
• One more water bottle filler that still needs to be put in
• Still working on Cafe responses and how to get that implemented

Paige Morris, Vice President of Student Affairs

• Events for the week
  • Tuesday
    • Toner game room event
  • Wednesday
    • Wbball 7:00 wear navy
    • Self-care giveaway 11:30 Toner
  • Thursday
    • Ice cream eating contest 12:15
    • Destress with peer mentors Hendrickson 7-9
  • Friday
    • ResLife pie your hall director 11-1
    • Makerspace sign making 5-6:30
    • Women’s hockey vs. Gustavus @7:00pm
    • Theme: SMU gear
  • Saturday
    • Men’s hockey vs. Gustavus @7:00pm
    • Theme: white out
  • Monday
    • Wbball 3:30
    • Mbball 5:30

Noah Kiemel, Vice President of Media and Communications

• Maggie will be doing an Instagram takeover on Wednesday.

Maddi Clark, Vice President of Administrative Affairs

• Nothing to report

Leah Parker, Vice President of Multicultural Affairs

• Nothing to report

Ann Merchlewitz, Advisor

• First homecoming in many years
• Please go to events
• Jacob Fiala dropped off admission packets at his High School over break.  Talk to Timn Gosssen if you want to do the same over break.
• Winona Transit Bus – getting information
• The two rooms next to counseling will be turned into destress rooms starting 2nd semester

Class Officer Reports

Freshman

• Nothing to report

Sophomore

• Nothing to report

Junior

• Class Fundraiser: 50/50 raffles
  • Women’s Basketball Game
  • Women’s Hockey Game
  • Men’s Hockey Game

Senior

• Nothing to report

Other Concerns:

• ResLife will host a food drive during the last two weeks of the semester.
• A capstone project group will host a Women’s Basketball Game food drive.

Adjournment

Motion made to Adjourn- Jacob Fiala

Seconded – Caden Rodning

Meeting Adjourned at 7:35 p.m.