Senate Beat Kills Fascists

The antepenultimate Senate Public of the spring 2025 semester was held at 4:10 pm on Monday, April 14, in the Student Union. Student Body President Andee Gude ‘26 called the meeting to order. Following up on her statements from last week’s Public, Gude reported that the Presidential Council on Campus Climate (PCCC) met to further discuss racist and antisemitic graffiti, and the Community for Accessibility Resources and Disability Support (CARDS) met about lighting in spaces on campus. Gude also reported that they met with Student and Campus Life to learn how summer housing costs will affect students with high financial need. 

Next, Student Body Vice President Lucy Knight-King ‘26 added that the PCCC had also debriefed on their session on Islamophobia and antisemitism. Alongside Gude, Knight-King met with President Audrey Bilger to bring up the issue on everyone’s minds—Renn Fayre outfits—although Knight-King made expressly clear that the main purpose of the discussion centered on summer housing. With that long-awaited weekend on the horizon, Knight-King also reported that the Renn Fayre Committee met to work out logistics and share the finalized schedule—big things ahead.

Senator and Appointments Committee Co-Chair Bella Moore ‘26 delivered her final recommendation of the year: Remi Cannon ‘28 for KRRC Manager, which was unanimously approved. Moore reported for CARDS that they have received funding for the Blue Lodge during Renn Fayre, which will transform the dimly lit, wood-paneled cave of Winch into a “fun sensory space” with cold packs and more. Moore also reported for the Union Committee, although she did not attend their meeting, that faculty and administration have been informed of a tentative date for the Reed Union scheduled for the fall semester.

Senator Catherine Hoyle ‘25 reported for Senator Karter Stanton ‘26, who was not present, that the Computer Policy and Planning Committee (CPPC) will meet next on April 25.

Hoyle then moved on to her own reports, which included discussion of a new protocol for Institutional Animal Care. Hoyle also gave a reminder that Passover is going on and reported that she has emailed Commons about Passover food options, specifically hoping for matzah.

Head Treasurer Maya Gutierrez ‘27 reported the results of Finance Committee (FinComm): Pool Hall was funded for $191.82, with one abstention. Gutierrez followed up on the Renn Fayre Committee to state that they discussed the location of the Blue Lodge. She also brought up the Stop Hazing Act Committee, which discussed how the act in question could impact J-Board.

Senator Alyssa Daggett ‘27 announced that the plaque for the CARDS mural in GCC finally arrived—keep an eye out for that!

Senator Milo Gardner-Stephens ‘25 had more GCC updates, mentioning that he has contacted Community Safety about implementing 24-hour swipe access in the GCC. 

Senator Sima Fasihi ‘28 kept it real when she reported that the Student Committee on Diversity (SCODD) may have to reschedule an event they were planning until next semester due to time constraints with the fast-approaching end of the year. Common occurrence. 

Senator Andrew Happy ‘27 summed up a “very productive” meeting he had with Academic Support Services last Friday. Topics of discussion included eight-week comments, for which they are currently running a survey for feedback on students’ responses and support needs; defining everyone’s favorite word, “rigor”; potentially having first years choose classes over the summer rather than during O-Week; and the recently-approved foreign language requirement, which will go into effect for the incoming class of 2029 (now that’s a terrifying phrase). Happy said that he brought up concerns about the fairness of this policy. During the meeting, they considered allowing students to get waivers if they have accessibility needs that would impact their ability to fulfill the requirement or if they already have equivalent language experience. 

Gude then reported for Senator Eleanor Davis-Diver ‘26 that the Appeals Board is currently hearing an appeal. 

At this point, the floor was open for audience comments. An audience member brought up the “Antisemitic Stickers in Library” email sent by the PCCC on Wednesday, April 9. They said that they did not find the email appropriate; they thought that its broadcasting of an antisemitic film was unproductive and harmful to the community. Hoyle responded that, as the co-lead of Jewish Student Union, she plans to email the administration about this communication from the PCCC and the “Passover Reminder to Campus Community” email sent by the Office for Institutional Diversity last Friday. The audience member remarked that the email seemed like it was amplifying antisemitism. Senate emphasized the message that students should not feel guilty about reporting instances of bigotry, because the college’s reporting structures are in place for these incidents.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:28pm. Next week’s Senate Public will be held in the same place (the SU), at the same time (4:10pm). You should go. It’ll be a fun time. Even if it isn’t a fun time, it won’t be a very long time, at any rate. Please go. Report on it, even. Take it off my hands. Save me from my misery.