SGA discusses plans to expand

By Sophia Oppedisano Editorial Staff Student Government Association President Evelyn Campbell announced plans to expand SGA membership at a meeting Nov. 12. Campbell said SGA is “ideally looking for student representation from each department on campus,” along with student-athletes, residents, and commuters. The plan is to post on social media to promote the senate expansion, according to Campbell. Campbell also announced plans for the eBoard to hold a social Nov. 19 to decorate the SGA office as a recruitment event. She encouraged students to bring friends to the social. To begin the meeting, Vice President Cesar Matos moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting before shifting focus to open forum, which was allocated 10 minutes. During this time, Senator Anais Vasques presented a new organizational layout for the SGA office, including work spaces and desks for new officers that are shared with the senators. Each desk has a corresponding board as well as snacks and bubbly water. Senator Alix Ayoub said they will meet with SGA Advisor Rachel Spezia to discuss fundraising for hurricane relief. They are looking for volunteers to help with a fundraising event for Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. both days. Their efforts have raised $232.80 with fundraising set to conclude Dec. 12. SGA has been raising money for hurricane relief since September 2024. The proceeds from their efforts will go to Greater Good Charities, a non-profit organization. Matos moved on to new business and discussed constitution changes proposed by the Student Affairs Committee. A motion to remove the position of outreach and event coordinator and install two positions for ‘event coordinator’ and ‘publicist’ passed unanimously. Campbell began the officer reports by praising everyone for their “help and support” at their first Club Representative Meeting Oct. 29. Campbell said she met with President Nancy Niemi Nov. 4 to discuss ways for student life to be “more intermingled” with academics. Campbell is working with Provost Kristen Porter-Utley to discuss this matter further. Student Trustee Jeremy McDonald reminded everyone of the Board of Trustees dinner Nov. 13. He said sign-ups for the dinner were available via Campbell. Secretary Jazmany Reyes said he would be emailing Art Club President Paige Rainville about their art supply fundraising proposal. Matos met with the Muslim Student Association during the week prior. He said the meeting was “regarding the Big Budget pre-meeting.” Matos said SGA has “already met with three clubs. “We are not meeting with every club, but we are looking for clubs who want to change grouping. If they want to change, they must communicate.” Matos also gave a “big thanks” to FinCom members. Plans for a Culture Week were announced by Diversity and Inclusion Officer Ana Julia Riberio. Riberio said Culture Week will bring different foods from different cultures for a week to promote more inclusivity on campus. She said she is looking to promote the event. Culture Week will be held in the Center for Inclusive Excellence or in the Dining Commons, Riberio said. Publicist Jaelynn Moon wants to post another “day in the life video for SGA socials.” She said it would be just one Instagram Reel. Moon is also looking for more recruitment content and will be notifying everyone to post small pieces of content. Advisors Spezia and Meghan Larkin announced that the Food Science Club has officially been formed and recognized. The Marketing Club has been reactivated for AY 2024-25, and Youth Project has been deactivated as of Oct. 2024. They reminded those attending the SGA social to bring a friend to build the senate. Campbell concluded the meeting by giving the “U-Rock” to Matos, who recently stepped up to fill the treasurer vacancy. “This person has gone above and beyond in their roles and has taken on another role due to a vacancy. This person has grown so much within the past few months and I am excited to see where the future takes them,” Campbell said. She also announced that SGA will start naming a “Senator of the Month” and an “eBboard Member of the Month” at future meetings to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in their positions. The next SGA meeting is Nov. 26 on Zoom, at which Shawn Brooks and Patrick Almeida will “hopefully” be sworn in as senators, Matos said.