Senate Beat is Making you have a Conversation

Highlights: More community dialogues coming to a Reed near you.

Student Body President Andrew Happy ‘27 convened Senate Public at 4:10pm on Monday, October 12. He reported that the Presidential Council for Campus Climate (PCCC) is going to host more dialogue sessions soon, in addition to those hosted by the (unaffiliated) Reed Unions. Happy encouraged students to come and voice their concerns, adding that the next community dialogue will happen shortly after Fall Break. The Student Committee on Academic Policy and Planning (SCAPP) is working on developing a survey to help gauge people's thoughts on “interdisciplinarity” at Reed. 

Student Body Vice President Taylor Barth ‘27 reported that he is setting up an Alumni Board liaison meeting for November. For the search for a VP of Inclusion, he will be attending an inclusion workshop on October 26, and asked students to fill out the form for student opinions on the VP which was sent out by email on October 2. “It is crucial we have a wide variety of student input about how this position is filled, because this person filling that position will be shaping inclusion at Reed for years to come,” he said. He then reported that the International Student Services (ISS) liaisonship had met with Gwen Sandford, Director of International Student Services, last Thursday. 

Barth gave an update on the proposed changes to duration of status for international student visas and advised students to please be on the lookout for guidance on how Reedies can submit strong public comments to influence the case. Reading for Senator Sam Kuo ‘28, he reported that the Community for Accessibility Resources and Disability Support (CARDS) met and discussed their purpose. CARDS will be hanging up posters to determine what students want from their committee this year. 

Senator J.R. Wallingford ‘27 urged students to “go vote!” He also asked students to approve the updated constitution. He then noted that quorum for the special election had already almost been reached as of Monday, October 12, and thanked the student body for voting so “prodigiously.” Senate then took a brief break to applaud the student body.

Senator Maya Gutierrez ‘27 reported that she would be meeting on Tuesday, October 13 with the Library Board and the Student Committee on Diversity (SCOD). On Friday, October 16, there will be a meeting for Campus Life and the Title IX and Title XI committee.  

Senator Magdalen Miller ‘29 reported that the Art Collection Murals Committee and Community Safety liaisonship are currently planning meetings. She also noted that she met with Sexual Health and Relationship Advocacy (SHARE), where they discussed integrating consent culture training into signator training. “Within signator training, there's lots of conversation about what not to do as a club leader, and we wanted to incorporate a little bit more conversation about what you can do to create consent culture within your club,” she said. 

Senator and Parliamentarian Manoel Pereira Lopes ‘28 reported that the accessibility committee will be meeting soon since 504 Coordinator Christy Martin is back from vacation.

Head Treasurer Bella Reyes ‘27 had nothing to report this week. 

Assistant Treasurer Enzo Lawrence ‘28 reported that the Reed Union had met last week to discuss posters. He was only present for the first 30 minutes. The conversation focused on how to effect change in regards to the Israel-Palestine conflict and discussed calls for divestment, including how to incorporate Lewis & Clark’s divestment strategies here at Reed. He also reported that the Senate website is back up under a new domain. 

Senator Alastair Budd ‘27 reported that he had a meeting with the Computing Planning and Policy Committee (CPPC) where they reviewed and accepted revisions to the IT procedures for handling violations of the acceptable use policy. He also noted the campus network rework is proceeding at a good pace. 

Senator Quinn Capper ‘28 reported that the Sustainability Committee would be meeting at 9am this Friday. 

Senator and Appointments Committee (AppComm) Co-Chair Stella Greer ‘29 reported that there would be training for appeals board this Friday. She also noted there is a Commons Board meeting and a Reactor liaison meeting this Friday. AppComm recommended LT Nagel ‘30 for J-Board secretary, and the recommendation was confirmed 13-0 with one abstention. Reading for AppComm Co-Chair Sima Fasihi ‘28, she reported that the HUM 110 committee is creating a new guide on how to thrive in HUM 110 for new students. AppComm then recommended Narel Fernandez Lopez ‘30 for Assistant Treasurer, and the recommendation was confirmed 13-0 with one abstention. 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:22pm. Senate Public will return after fall break.