Student Senate meeting minutes - April 13, 2021 - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

April 15, 2021

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Student Senate – April 13, 2021

Meeting called to order by President Kendall Archer at 7 p.m.

Prayer by Collin van Waardenburg

Members present: Cece Abel, Kendall Archer, Samantha Carlson, Larkin Clem, Jake Emeott, Sarah Fowler, Mary Furlong, Riley Hall, Noah Kimel, Jonathon Krull, Abi Lang, Thomas Magnavite, Allison Moysis, Tara Nikolich, Nicole Noreen, Lyanna Novak, Enitan Onayiga, Sophia O’Neil, Angel Sacta Espinoza, Joseph Schauf, Ryan Stoynich (proxy Nash Wood), Collin van Waardenburg, Destiny Walker, Elijah Willaims

Members absent: Megan Kowalis

Members excused: Gabriel Graves, Ryan Stoynich (proxy Nash Wood)

Discussion items

Presentation by Tracy Lehnertz, associate dean of International Programs and director of University Effectiveness
- Presentation on NSSE results for Saint Mary’s
  - Research on student engagement, used to assess improvement efforts
  - Assesses first-year and senior students (most recently in 2019)
    - Results compared to other schools in the Midwestern region
  - Strengths at Saint Mary’s
    - Collaborative learning, quantitative reasoning, quality of interactions, and student-faculty interaction
  - We seek to improve on areas where the survey shows the need
  - Thank you for taking part in this survey
  - Question and answer
    - Elijah Williams, “Based on the meetings you’ve had with faculty and administration are there any plans to alleviate the areas where work is needed”
      - Tracy Lehnertz “We are working with department chairs and the deans to work on the learning strategy areas; professors will be implementing more of this in class. The administration wanted us to put this information out for people to view.”
    - Jonathon Krull “In regards to the percentage of students who would “definitely” or “probably” attend this institution again, we rank notably lower than similar universities, how do we plan to improve this?”
      - Tracy Lehnertz “The university academic council is digging into this more, looking at the open-ended comments by students. We are also looking at other data sets as well, by looking at this we can put it more into context. Last year, we decided not to do a student satisfaction survey but will be this year to find more input.”
    - Destiny Walker “With the areas we performed lower in, the lack of interaction with students of diverse backgrounds, have we touched on that and how we plan to increase that?”
      - Tracy Lehnertz “We can dig deeper into these results to better understand this. Our campus here lacks diversity in some ways, we as an institution are looking at ways for students to connect with students of varying backgrounds. This is in the works with strategic planning as well.”
    - Kendall Archer “Is there a student voice in the conversations that are occurring, if not is that something we could include?”
      - Marisa Naryka “VP of Academic Affairs has been involved with that, we can make a note to make sure student voices are included.”
Capital Improvement Presentation
- Angel Sacta Espinoza, chair of The Capital Improvement Request Committee
  - Two being presented today by James (Twigz) McGuire, coordinator of R.I.S.E.
  - Request for Nordic Ski Equipment
    - Coordination between R.I.S.E. and the Environmental Awareness Center
    - Students can use the ski equipment free of charge
    - Equipment is in need of repairs
    - $2,000 requested to purchase new boots and equipment
      - 21 new sets of boots
      - We will be looking at second-hand sales as well to keep the price low
    - Questions:
      - Lyanna Novak “Why are you requesting $2,000 and who will pay the remaining amount?”
      - Twigz McGuire “We are hoping with after-season sales and second-hand sales that the total cost will be $2,000”
  - Request for two TV monitors in the library (and the computer to operate it)
    - One in the entrance near the librarian desk
    - Total requested $1,440
    - Several individuals in the administration requested this to be done to improve communication on campus
    - Questions:
      - Joseph Schauf “Are there any ideas for the location of the second TV?”
        
        “No, not yet. We will be looking at various locations this summer.”
  - We will be voting on which projects to fund next week at the Senate Meeting
SAGA Special Request
- Destiny Walker, Denise, and Angelyssa Figueroa present
  - Requesting for Campus Pride Month events
  - Next week they are hoping to host a series of events
    - Looking for funds for pronoun making art night
- Requested funding at $345
  - Materials for the bracelet making
- Recommended funding at $345
- Motion to fund at $345 by Enitan Onayiga
- Seconded by Sophia O’Neil
- Motion to fund at $345 passes with one abstention
Club Hockey Budget
- Kohl Babcock present
- Requested funding at $10,000
  - ACHA dues
  - Travel and hotel
  - Referees and trainers
- Recommended funding at $8,360
- Questions:
  - How do you plan to fund raise to offset the costs?
    - We plan to work at various events as security, secure a sponsorship, or player dues.
  - How many players do you have on the team?
    - 15-20 players for the next season
  - How do you justify the amount that you are requesting?
    - We understand that we are an expensive club, with being an expensive club we are one of the only clubs on campus that can recruit players. We currently have four possible recruits for next year. Our fundraisers also help justify it.
  - When was the last time you had an ACHA game?
    - Last year, under the ACHA you must play a certain number of games. It is the league we play under.
  - The places you are planning on playing at this year are they set in stone?
    - We have verbal and written commitments for these games. We don’t have exact dates and times yet.
  - With your hotels, you are requesting $1,000 but you mention you need $2,000. Will you be special requesting that later?
    - We are hoping our fundraisers this summer will cover that. Otherwise, we can special request it.
- Motion to add 5 minutes to the discussion by Riley Hall
- Seconded by Joseph Schauf
- Questions:
  - What are your player dues? How much money will players be paying?
    - It depends on how many players we have. We believe they will be $400 per person
  - If you have $6,000 for player dues, how does that account for your additional request for funding?
    - We have an ideal budget set, the total for that would be $20,259 for a 24 game season
- Motion to fund at $8,360 by Joseph Schauf
- Seconded by Jake Emeott
- Motion to fund at $8,360 passes unanimously
Future Health Professionals Budget
- Elijah Williams present
  - Sees and assists with anything health-related
  - Club has seen explosive growth this year
    - 69 active members
    - 20-35 members at club meetings
    - 10-25 members at club events
- Requested funding at $1,430
  - Movies
  - Annual donations
  - Cookies and other appetizers
  - Advertising
  - Guest speakers
  - Travel to events
- Recommended funding at $580
- Motion to fund at $580 by Joseph Schauf
- Seconded by Collin van Waardenburg
- Motion to fund at $580 passes with one abstention
CAC Budget
- Shane Breslin present
  - We participate in Relay for Life and No-Shave November
- Requested funding at $370
  - Supplies for Relay for Life
  - T-Shirts for No-Shave November
- Question:
  - Shirts, are they for those who participate?
    - They are sold through donations, those who participate receive a shirt once they sign up
- Recommended funding at $370
- Motion to fund at $370 by Cece
- Seconded by Enitan Onayiga
- Motion to fund at $370 passes with one abstention
Club Soccer Budget
- Requested funding at $440
  - Pennee tees
  - Soccer balls
  - Ball pump
- Recommended funding at $440
- Questions/comments:
  - Destiny: The individual who represents the club is in quarantine currently. Prior to COVID, they were a pretty active club.
  - Angel: As a member of the club we are a pretty active club, 20 individuals typically show up. We used to travel every weekend to play games against other universities, the members would drive on their own as well. Many active alumni also come back and play in scrimmages as well in addition to the actual soccer teams playing.
- Motion to fund at $440 by Sophia O’Neil
- Seconded by Samantha Carlson
- Motion to fund at $440 passes with one abstention
SAGA Budget
- Destiny Walker present
  - Safe space for those in the LGBTQ+ community
  - Provides programming that provides solidarity and safety
  - Previously have hosted movie nights, attended conferences, and hosted trivia on campus.
- Requested funding at $1,005
- Recommended funding at $290
- Motion to fund at $290 by Sophia O’Neil
- Seconded by Riley Hall
- Motion to fund at $290 passes with three abstentions
IAK Budget
- Hallie Schmiling present
  - Club was created last spring
  - Intentional Acts of Kindness club holds one meeting and one event every month
  - Offers opportunities for campus members to spread kindness
- Requested funding at $594
- Recommended funding at $500
- Motion to fund at $500 by Lyanna Novak
- Seconded by Sophia O’Neil
- Motion to fund at $500 passes unanimously
Executive Board Updates
- Kendall Archer, president
  - Class officer election has been postponed due to stress, will be held in the fall
- Jonathon Krull, VP of Media and Communications and executive assistant
  - Internet update
  - Senators, please have your cameras on during the Senate meeting unless you are excused prior to the meeting
- Angel Sacta Espinosa, VP for Campus Affairs
  - Capital Improvement voting will be at the next meeting
- Nicole Noreen, VP for Financial Affairs
  - Next week
- Destiny Walker, VP for Multicultural Affairs
  - Next week there will be numerous events for Campus Pride Month
- Mary Furlong, VP for Academic Affairs
  - Thank you for your feedback on the new campus schedule!
  - Wellness Day is coming up on April 28
- Elijah Williams, VP for Student Life
  - We had a productive meeting in regards to the complaint with Alumni Relations and Development
    - Philanthropy is important to the university
    - Alumni Relations and Development apologizes for the way the event turned out, a statement from the committee will appear on the Senate Instagram
- Sarah Fowler, SAC President
  - Murder Mystery Thursday at 7 p.m.
  - Motivational Bingo Friday at 7 p.m.
  - Destress activities at 11 a.m. Saturday
  - Jillian Alenka will be the incoming SAC president
- Marisa Naryka, adviser
  - Student Affairs nominations will be coming out for club of the year and adviser of the year in the coming weeks
  - Senator of the year is coming up soon, nominations will be coming up
Class Officer Reports
Freshman: No updates
Sophomore: No updates
Junior: No updates
Senior: Continuing to meet with Marisa and Twigz and putting finishing touches on Senior Day. There will also be a senior dinner that will be put on with the faculty as well, waiting for final approval.

Motion to adjourn
- Motioned by Joseph Schauf
- Seconded by Sophia O’Neil
- Time 8:48 p.m.

Student Senate meeting minutes – April 13, 2021