Senate Beat REALLY Wants You to Vote in Funding Poll

Student Body President Andee Gude began Wednesday’s Senate Public on February 7 (after they sat down at 4:08 p.m.) by announcing that Senate Publics were officially now going to start at 4:10 p.m., in order to accommodate Student Body Government Officials who have classes that end at 4 p.m. They then introduced Taylor Barth as the new Secretary. 

Starting off with committee reports, President Gude explained that Vice President Jefferson Ratliff was meeting with new senators to have them fill out biographies for the Senate’s website. Vice President Ratliff later confirmed that the website would be coming out before break at the latest. President Gude also met with Admissions and Financial Aid to talk about their test-blind policy. President Gude also met with the Commencement Committee, in which they talked about potential speakers for commencement, and will be communicating with seniors. 

In a meeting with the Honor Council and J-Board, President Gude discussed their representation at the Senate Job Fair, since they have positions that need to be filled. President Gude also met with Associate Dean for Student & Campus Life Claudia Ramirez Islas about expanding BIPOC housing. President Gude and Vice Treasurer Lucy Knight-King also met with student groups, notably affinity groups, about strengthening student spaces on campus. President Gude also mentioned that the Senate met with the Quest last week, in a meeting Senator Andrew Happy later described as “chill.” President Gude also met with the Student Committee on Diversity about getting positions filled. 

In Vice President Jefferson Ratliff’s committee reports, he mentioned reaching out to the Alumni Liaison, along with trying to set up regular meetings with the Office of Institutional Diversity (OID) about the Campus Climate Assessment Survey. Vice President Ratliff also met with the Sexual Health Advocacy And Relationship Education (SHARE) Director L. Mattson and is working on setting up a regular meeting time. Vice President Ratliff also plans to meet with the HCC a week from Monday. 

In Head Treasurer Anahi Sanchez Marcial’s committee reports, she talked about Funding Poll being open, pleading with the audience to vote in it. Head Treasurer Sanchez Marcial’s plea was so powerful that Senator Andrew Sakahara’s heavy metal water bottle fell on the floor, making a loud noise. Head Treasurer Sanchez Marcial then stressed that clubs who were entered into Funding Poll must prepare their budgets by 11:59 p.m. this Friday. “Oh shit, they’re talking about me,” wrote down Senate Beat Reporter Owen Fidler (who has yet to turn in their club budget) at that moment. Head Treasurer Sanchez Marcial also met with Reactor Operations, who were planning announcements about their annual inspections. 

In Senator Meera Balan’s committee reports, she began by mentioning she was waiting for the new Title IX Coordinator to meet with them. Senator Balan also had a meeting with Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD), who plan to have a tabling event aimed towards freshmen in March. AOD will have snacks at this tabling event, and plan to give freshmen information about AOD. There will be a Google form out on SB Info soon to find out what questions students have for AOD. Senator Bella Moore later mentioned that this tabling will happen in a high-traffic area, and there’s a 90% chance that this area will be right outside of Commons.

In Senator Andrew Happy’s committee Reports, he mentioned intending to schedule a meeting with Academic Support a week from Monday. Senator Happy also met with Professor Charlene Mackley about Study Abroad programs. Senate is working with Study Abroad to address student concerns and improve the program. A new Study Abroad program to Guadalajara, Mexico has been approved, and Senate hopes to find ways to have more STEM majors study abroad.

Appointment Committee Chair Lindsay Worrell recommended two Student Body appointments in Wednesday’s Senate Public: Sterling Kennedy for Assistant Manager of the Student Union and Victoria Hutchinson for Student Diversity. Both appointment recommendations were approved unanimously.

In Senator Philip Dussin’s committee reports, he mentioned meeting with Computer User Services and Occupational Health and Safety. He and Senator Lily Garvey also met with Walter Mintz, Professor of Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (GLAM), and Humanities Nigel Nicholson in discussing increasing equity in Humanities 110, the hybrid lecture model, and the exams of the course.

In Senator Lily Garvey’s committee reports, she mentioned meeting with Janice Yang and collaborating with the Office of Student Engagement (OSE) to improve the Student Union. Senator Garvey also mentioned that the Senate Bylaw review process was still ongoing. Senator Andrew Sakahara would later mention that Senate projects the bylaws will be finished by the end of the quarter.

In Vice Treasurer Lucy Knight-King’s committee reports, she mentioned deliberating with clubs regarding what people want in the Pride Center, which is an ongoing project. In meeting with the Student Committee on Academic Planning, she discussed future plans regarding the Full-Time Equivalent allocation of the Humanities Department and the external review of the French department.

In Senator Andrew Sakahara’s committee reports, he mentioned that Conference and Events Planning was preparing for the Zine Fest at the end of March, and an Earth Day celebration on April 19 during lunchtime in the quad, featuring food trucks. Senator Sakahara also mentioned how the Library Board has been in contact with Dena Hutto and Lauren Keiser.

Senator Caroline Spiggle has been in contact with DAR and awaits Jess Gibson’s return. Senator Spiggle has also met to organize the Community for Accessibility Resources and Disability Services (CARDS), which will start a newsletter soon for more information about accessibility, and will be hosting study halls for the student body in the Info Shoppe. Senator Spiggle also mentioned how the Commons Committee has finished their report to give to Commons, and appreciates how students were vulnerable in sharing their stories with them, including discussion regarding Halal options on campus.

Emma ‘Baby Money’ Benson announced the Renn Fayre Committee’s first meeting next Monday and the weekly newsletter of International Student Services. Baby Money Benson also reminded the audience that the Finance Committee was meeting at 7:30 p.m. later that night. 

In Senator Bella Moore’s committee reports, she reiterated Committee items mentioned by other senators, such as the Title IX transition, the future meeting with HCC, and the AOD tabling. 

After the committee reports, there was nothing else left to discuss, so Senate Public was adjourned.