Senate Beat is Now My Cross to Bear

Highlights and action items: Qual survey results coming soon. Another survey for CARDS is on the horizon. Less winter housing will be available this year. Vincent is free from his chains at last.

Once and for all, Senate Public reached its conclusion for the year of 2025. Although Vincent has not been forced to write this Senate Beat, he’s undoubtedly jumping with glee nonetheless. All members were present, and as per usual, Student Body President Andreanna Gude ‘26 gave their final introduction to the meeting.

Gude began by announcing that their last Library Board meeting was canceled. They also announced their final meeting with Campus Life and a Reed Union meeting both taking place this week.

Next, Senator Sofie Braunstein ‘28 reported that the Accessibility committee has been brainstorming ways to make accessibility more visible across campus. She noted her own suggestions of  more digital and marketing materials. Braunstein announced that she met with the Center for Life Beyond Reed (CLBR) to discuss their February event to help people apply for jobs. She also announced a survey for the Community for Accessibility Resources & Disability Support (CARDS) that will be released next semester. Be a good engaged student and fill it out when the time comes! Braunstein also announced that Sustainability is working on their annual Earth Day celebration, so look forward to that. Finally, she urged students to vote for their favorite Queditor candidates in the recent election.

Senator Stella Greer ‘29 announced that the Reactor Operations Committee was meeting soon and had nothing else to share.

Senator and Appointments Committee (AppComm) Co-Chair Andrew Happy ‘27 reported that AppComm had completed their reappointments the previous day. He also reported that he would be meeting with Academic Support Services that day to go over the results of the recent junior qual survey. Importantly, Happy also announced that he and fellow AppComm Co-Chair and Senator Sima Fasihi ‘28 had met with Residence Life, and were informed that there will be less winter housing available this year. However,  international students will still be prioritized due to the current political climate—perhaps a small comfort in these bitter times.

Fasihi announced that the Student Committee on Diversity (SCOD) was meeting for the final time this year on Thursday, and announced a meeting with the Faculty Committee on Diversity today. Fasihi also announced that the Student Committee for Academic Policy and Planning (SCAPP) is meeting with RUCA to discuss proposals for online classes.

Senator Karter Stanton ‘26 announced that Senate would be holding a bylaw meeting on Tuesday, December 9.

Head Treasurer Yuri Garcia ‘27 and Senators Ren Raskin ‘27, Enzo Lawrence ‘28, and Manoel Pereira Lopes ‘28 all had no new announcements.

Student Body Vice President Lucy Knight-King ‘26 and Assistant Treasurer Maya Gutierrez ‘27 also had nothing to announce, but expressed excitement at reaching the final Senate Public and a successful Spring/Fall, respectively.

With no other announcements, President Gude adjourned the meeting at 4:17pm, for the final time in 2025. We at the Quest hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Maybe try to stick to your New Year’s resolutions this time around? Maybe one of those resolutions should be to write for the Quest? Maybe one of them should be to write Senate Beat next year? Please?