Senate Beat is Chillin’ at Reed Union

Highlights and Action items: AppComm wants YOU to apply to be Pool Hall Manager and Student Union Assistant Manager. Senate encourages students to attend Reed Union’s meeting on Friday, February 27 at 3:15pm. A new Committee working with the Office of Student Engagement (OSE) and Risk Management (RM) is proposed called Board on Undertaking Student Hazards (BUSH).

The meeting began when Student Body President Andrew Happy ’27 reported that the Liaison for Students and Campus Life were having ongoing conversations about the friendship flag initiative. He also said that this committee would meet more often this semester. Happy also reported that the Residential College Implementation Committee met on February 18 for an extended session. The Community Safety Officers (CSO) Director Search Committee is currently reviewing a list of applicants. Over the next couple weeks, the Committee plans to conduct phone screenings to narrow their pool of applicants. Happy noted that Academic Support Services met on February 20. They set the deadline for the Junior Qual Survey for March 9 and encourage that students complete it. In regards to the Commencement Committee, a list of potential speakers has been narrowed down to three candidates, who the seniors will be asked to vote on this week. Happy shared that the Day of Community Action took place and the Presidential Council for Campus Climate (PCCC) is hoping for student feedback. Happy also reported a meeting with Audrey Bilger in which they discussed raising financial burdens for Multicultural Festival and affinity group funding. 

Vice President Taylor Barth ’27 reported that the Art Collection/Mural Committee has an upcoming meeting on March 18. The Student Committee on Diversity (SCOD) is still drafting changes and plans to work closely with the Faculty Committee on Diversity (FCOD) and the Staff Committee on Diversity (S-COD). The Commons Committee is meeting this week on Friday. 

Senator Sima Fasihi ’28 recommended individuals for some positions, and after Happy called for a motion, the vote was passed unanimously. Fasihi emphasized the need for applicants to apply for Student Union Assistant Manager and Pool Hall Manager positions. Regarding the HUM 110 committee, Fasihi reported that discussions took place surrounding increasing student involvement in syllabus changes. Lastly, she reported that the Legislation Committee held its first meeting. 

Senator Enzo Lawrence ’28 reported that Reed Union advertised in a HUM 110 lecture. Organizers are currently finalizing the logistics of the upcoming Reed Union meeting. 

Senator Justin Sotomayor ’27 had nothing new to report. 

Senator Stella Greer ’29 reiterated that the Commons committee would be meeting on Friday, and she plans to bring up community feedback regarding the friendship flags. 

Vice Treasurer Bella Reyes ’27 reported that the Finance Committee was to meet after the Public in Eliot 123. Last week, Treasury reviewed funding requests from the American Nuclear Society Reed Chapter, XATA Ukrainian Club, and ACE Archery. 

Assistant Treasurer Al McKee ’29 reported that they are waiting to hear back from the bookstore and have an upcoming meeting with the Honor Council. 

Head Treasurer Maya Gutierrez ’27 reminds the student body that the housing portal is now open. She also reported that she would serve with Senator Manoel Pereira Lopes ’27 in a liaison with the new Election Czar.

Senator Alaistair Budd ’27 had nothing new to report. 

Senator Pereira Lopes ’27 asked that anyone who has feedback, questions, or suggestions for Commons reach out directly. 

Senator Sofie Braunstein ’28 announced the formal creation of a new committee in collaboration with Senate, Office of Student Engagement, and Risk Management called the Board on Undertaking Student Hazards (BUSH). Braunstein also recommended candidates for some positions. Votes were passed unanimously for those candidates. 

All the senators then encouraged the student body to attend Reed Union on Friday. 

This week’s Senate Public was adjourned at 4:27pm. All members were present.