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Student Senate meeting minutes, Oct. 6

October 7, 2020

News Student Senate Undergrad Student Information

Student Senate meeting minutes
Oct. 6, 2020

Meeting called to order by President Kendall Archer at 7:02 p.m.
Prayer by Collin van Waardenburg 

Members present: Cece Abel, Kendall Archer, Samantha Carlson, Larkin Clem (Proxy: Peyton Grant), Jake Emeott, Sarah Fowler, Mary Furlong, Gabriel Graves, Lillian Klein, Megan Kowalis, Jonathon Krull, Abigail Lang, Allison Moysis, Tara Nikolich, Nicole Noreen, Lyanna Novak, Enitan Onayiga, Sophia O’Neil, Marcos Pedroza, Angel Sacta Espinoza, Joseph Schauf, Ryan Stoynich (Proxy: Trevor Mikyla) Collin van Waardenburg, Destiny Walker, Elijah Williams

Members absent: Noah Keimel, Thomas Magnavite

Members excused: Larkin Clem (Proxy Present), Ryan Stoynich (Proxy Present)

Discussion items

  • Presentation by Father Burns
    • Thank you for putting together the “I Pledge” campaign — Minnesota Department of Health used it as an example for other schools and universities
    • Thank you for following the guidelines and making it to week six of in-person classes
    • Administration is open to feedback on how to improve the experience here at Saint Mary’s
    • Strategic plan update
      • Currently working on phase 1
        • On track as planned
      • Launching phase 2 soon
        • Next phase of nursing program
        • Looking into Student Success
      • The strategic plan is designed as student centric
      • Excited for the new pathways of learning
        • Five-year master’s degree
        • Certificate/badging/etc.
        • Preparing for the changing workforce demands
      • Front and Center Initiative
        • Pulls on the Lasallian core values
        • Character and Virtue Initiative
          • Students have really showcased this by looking out for their fellow students and being safe
        • Inclusion and equity in human dignity
          • Vice president for inclusion and human dignity still being hired
          • This supports our mission and engages students
        • The initiative is looking to model civil discourse to students
          • Pulling on the College Republicans and College Democrats leaders for this
          • It’s OK to disagree on politics, but we must remain civil and respectful of other viewpoints
    • This is the most unusual and perhaps difficult year any college student could have experienced
      • Our students are resilient and strong
      • Learning together through it all
      • Extremely thankful on behalf of the university to all of the campus
    • Question and answer with Father Burns
      • What are the next steps with the nursing program in regards to phase 2?
        • Investment across the campus
          • Business tech, entrepreneurship, Maker Space
          • On track, anticipated completion in January 2021
          • Advertisement will uptick this spring for the nursing program
          • 30-40 new students for the nursing program
      • Can you talk more about the vice president position for inclusion and human dignity?
        • Growing on what we already have established here on campus
        • Advise the president and cabinet in areas of diversity and inclusion
        • Handles issues related to Title IX
        • Conducts bystander training
        • Looking to develop inclusive excellence
        • Growing the office so that it can be successful in creating programs that are part of our Lasallian and Catholic heritage while bringing us together on how issues in society affect all of us
        • Presenting pathways instead of barriers to students
  • Knights of Columbus introduction — Isaiah Lippert, president
    • Restarting the chapter here on campus; formally recognized as a club on campus now
    • Global Catholic fraternal organization founded on faith, family, life, and community
      • Setting up a group that fosters a solid Catholic fraternity
        • Facilitate community amongst members
        • Servants of the community
        • Putting the faith into action
  • Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) and Thank You Note Campaign
    • Helps secure funding for Saint Mary’s and provides Minnesota students with financial aid
    • Thank You Note Campaign thanks the Minnesota representatives who voted to keep the MPCC funding
      • A way of showing our thanks for providing the funding
      • Card materials will be in senators mailboxes on Oct. 26
  • Capital improvement requests and committee
    • Projects submitted by the students who want to see an improvement on campus
      • Mural by the Gostomski Fieldhouse funded by this in the past
    • Angel’s goal is to ensure this process goes smoothly and increase the number of proposals
    • Wants to form a committee of students who want to help with this process, can be any campus members (contact Angel at arsact18@smumn.edu)
    • “This is a way to leave your legacy here at Saint Mary’s”
  • Executive board updates and goal with steps to achieve it
    • Kendall Archer, President
      • Helping everyone achieve their goals and aid in the success of attaining them
      • The city of Winona reached out and wanted to bring to attention recent house parties in Winona, police will ticket students in large groups, those hosting house parties, students without masks walking downtown
    • Marcos Pedroza, vice president of media and communications
      • Goal: Represent Student Senate in a transparent and helpful image
      • Consistent communication via social media
    • Angel Sacta Espinoza, vice president for campus affairs
      • Goal: Ensure capital improvement process goes smoothly
      • Increase requests and participation
    • Nicole Noreen, vice president for financial affairs
      • Goal: Further inform clubs on financial processes (special requests, academic requests, budgets)
      • Office hours by appointment to provide assistance for clubs
      • Working closely with R.I.S.E. and Marisa when budgets season rolls around
    • Destiny Walker, vice president for multicultural affairs
      • Starting up Solidarity Council
        • Consists of Multicultural Club leaders
      • Gathering meeting times for Multicultural Club, BSA, SAGA, and MIX
      • Goal: Forming a stronger sense of community amongst the Multicultural Clubs, First Generation Initiative, and The International Center
      • Steps: Hosting an event that brings members of the clubs and offices together
    • Mary Furlong, vice president for academic affairs
      • Committee meetings: Jonathon Krull and herself sit on the ED Standards Committee, and Joseph Schauf sits on the Integrated General Education Assessment Committee (IGEAC)
      • Goal: Spread awareness of the ways school wants to help students succeed
      • Working on the Google Read and Write program
        • Getting info out to the students on how to use it
      • Goal: Help students understand registration more
      • Working with registrar and Student Success to help 
    • Elijah Williams, vice president for student life
      • Goal: Focusing on functions and operations within Chartwells
      • Three phase plan
        • Phase 1: Deals with organizational work 
          • Student time constraints and confusion
          • Opening discussion with students, administration, and athletics to alleviate problems with times
        • Phase 2: Addresses food quality and options 
          • Expanding options
            • Focus on vegan, vegetarian, and other dietary restrictions
        • Phase 3: Focus on the Market and the options they offer
          •  Renegotiate prices
        • Will revamp the Food Service Committee to assist with this
          • Consists of administration, Chartwells representatives, students, and a student senator
          • In charge of forming surveys about satisfaction with Chartwells
    • Megan Kowalis, vice president for public affairs
      • Goal: Continue working on voter registration
      • Forming Political Engagement Committee
        • Working with Lasallian schools in the Midwest
        • Ensuring students can access information on policies and candidates
      • Panel tomorrow before vice presidential debate
        • Tim Gossen, Dean Beckman, Nancy Van Erp, and Ann Merchlewitz
        • Discuss what we want to get out of the debate
        • 7 to 7:50 p.m.
    • Jonathon Krull, executive assistant
      • Ensuring the minutes are out on time and assisting the class representatives 
    • Sarah Fowler, SAC president
      • Weekend events
        • Friday: Ghostbusters in the plaza
        • Saturday: 1:15 to 4 p.m. SAC Retreat
        • Saturday night: Virtual Bingo
    • Marisa Quinn, advisor
      • No updates

Senate open forum

  • Seniors: No updates
  • Juniors: This Saturday is Lasallian Day of Service, link to sign up in Monday’s CommUNITY, Student displeasure with Chartwells using styrofoam, contradicts their environmental sustainability mission
    • Marisa’s response: High costs and high demand for products are causing constraints obtaining these items
  • Sophomores: No updates
  • Freshmen: No updates

Motion to adjourn

  • Motioned by Joseph Schauf
  • Seconded by Collin van Waardenburg
  • Time adjourned: 7:54 p.m.