SENATE BEAT Wears Many Hats

Student Body President Andrew Happy ‘27 began the meeting at 4:10pm, reporting that the Presidential Council on Campus Climate (PCCC) had held their first meeting of the semester. In the meeting, the council discussed “communications regarding protest expectations,” and how PCCC can be better incorporated within the Reed community when making decisions. 

Happy also noted that he and Senator Magdalen Miller ‘29 had met with new Director of Community Safety Carl Peaster. They discussed getting student representation on more committees pertaining to Community Safety and Senate's relationship with Community Safety now that Peaster is the director. Peaster also alerted Senate to the fact that Reed’s agreement with the city of Portland regarding the maintenance of free parking on campus will conclude in 2030, likely leading to a restriction of free parking. 

Finally, Happy also reported that Vice President for Student Life Karnell McConnell-Black and Title VI, Title IX, and 504 Coordinator Christy Martin came to Sunday’s Senate executive session to discuss the recent anti-semitism settlement. “We, as a Senate, are looking to engage in continuous conversation with the administration about what this settlement is going to look like in practice,” Happy said.   

Student Body Vice President Taylor Barth ‘27 then reported that he and three other senators had met with the executives of the Alumni Board about alumni-student relations, and asked anyone with thoughts on this topic to please email him.  The Admission and Financial Aid committee also met and discussed Reed being a test-free school. As Sports Services liaison, Barth touched base with Michael Lombardo, Director of Athletics, Fitness, and Outdoor Programs.
Senator Sam Kuo ‘28 then reported that he had met with Residence Life, and discussed ongoing construction on the Birchwoods. He said that there is no need to worry: while the construction might look partially complete, the building is perfectly livable. In the meeting, they also discussed concerns around the new end of the year move-out policies and the inability for non-seniors to get extensions on their move-out date. Res-Life said that if one needs to move out later than planned, the student should just email them, and they will try to be as flexible as possible. The first Student Committee on Diversity (SCOD) meeting was also held, and a follow-up meeting was planned for that Monday night to discuss the new identity group funding policies. 

Senator and Parliamentarian Manoel Pereira Lopes ‘28 reported that the accessibility committee is still scheduling a meeting. He and Senator Maya Gutierrez ‘27 have received potential Renn Fayre bylaws from the previous czars and are working to approve them. They are looking to begin work on a new constitution, and host a constitutional convention sooner rather than later. Lopes noted no further updates from any of his other committees.    

Senator Gutierrez reported that all of her committee updates and work had already been reported on, but added that Finance Committee’s (FinComm) first meeting would be scheduled for that week. 

Senator J.R. Wallingford ‘27 reminded students that there will be a special election at some point in the coming weeks, and asked Reedies to keep an eye out for its announcement. 

Assistant Treasurer Enzo Lawrence ‘28 reported that the Reed Union Committee had yet to find a time to meet, but that the Title XI and Title VI committee had found consistent meeting times.  

Head Treasurer Bella Reyes ‘27 reported nothing of note in any of her committees. She reminded students that Renn Feyre Czar applications are open and urged Reedies to vote in the funding poll. 

Vice Treasurer Al McKee ‘29 reported nothing of note had happened in her committees, with several committees still waiting for meetings to be scheduled. 

Senator Quinn Capper ‘28 reported nothing of note had happened in his committees. However, he wanted to emphasize that Senate has created the Campus Deliveries Committee (CDC) to improve package and food delivery systems at Reed. Senate is working to combat the problems of package theft, mistakenly delivered packages, and confused delivery drivers. 

Senator Miller reported that her work had already been covered in the other reports, but seconded Capper’s emphasis on Senate’s work with Community Safety to combat package delivery problems. 

Senator Alastair Budd ‘27 reported he and Appointments Committee Co-Chair Sima Fasihi ‘28 have worked to secure a meeting with the Hum 110 Committee, but otherwise had nothing to report. 

Senator and AppComm Co-Chair Stella Greer ‘29 reminded students that Renn Fayre Czar applications are open, and that the J-Board secretary application deadline has been extended. Students should apply to these positions, if interested. Greer reported that all of her committees were still working on scheduling. They also emphasized the creation of the CDC and that they have begun working with Reed’s Director of Brand Strategy Lauren Rennan, and Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services (mailroom manager) Jason Schrack to address the delivery problem. Greer also spoke for their fellow AppComm Co-Chair Fasihi, who was absent, and reported that she has been working on hiring and scheduling committees.

After the senators’ reports, the floor was opened for business from the public. Jesse Mitchell-Reiss ‘27, who introduced himself and said he “wears many hats,” spoke about his concerns about his inability to be rehired for the darkroom manager position. While Mitchell-Reiss intended to air his grievances in the executive session, his request to do so had been denied. He explained that he began working as the assistant manager in 2023 when both manager and assistant manager positions were unpaid. When AppComm offered these as paid positions in 2025, Mitchell-Reiss applied as the assistant manager, but the position was then taken away due to a lack of funds and he declined to apply to be manager at the time. Mitchell-Reiss has now worked as darkroom manager since spring 2026 and expected to continue this position until he graduates. He reported that he was told by Fasihi that he could not keep the position in the spring without extenuating circumstances since he is a senior, but he believes that doing two years of unpaid work as darkroom assistant manager counts as such. Mitchell-Reiss expressed his desire for a paid darkroom assistant manager position that would be initially selected by the manager and held by a sophomore who would become manager as a junior. He then stated his preferred candidate for such a position.

Greer acknowledged the past wage issues and responded that Senate intends to create a paid darkroom assistant manager position after the wage review, but they are unwilling to create a new position just for this spring semester. Ultimately, Mitchell-Reiss’ requests were not granted at this time. 

Senate Public was adjourned at 4:46pm, with the majority of the session’s length devoted to this concerned citizen and his petition.