Senate Beat is Reinstating the Guillotine
Highlights: Reed Constitutional Convention on October 5, AppComm begs students to apply to J-Board.
Student Body President Andrew Happy ‘27 called the Senate Public meeting to order at 4:12pm, after a slight delay caused by the late arrival of Senator and Appointments Committee (AppComm) Co-Chair Stella Greer ‘29. Happy reported that he and Senator J.R. Wallingford ‘27 had held their monthly meeting with Associate Dean of Students for Academic Life Steve Abrahão and Director of Academic Support Drew Gonrowski. They discussed academic dishonesty and AI usage.
Student Body Vice President Taylor Barth ‘27 reported that members of Senate had been able to have lunch with several executives of the Alumni Board. They discussed students' desire for mentorship from alums and alumni-student relations. He is also excited for the kickoff meeting of the search to find a VP for the Office of Institutional Diversity (OID). He had also just scheduled the first meeting for Senate’s International Student Services (ISS) liaisonship for Thursday, October 8.
Senator Sam Kuo ‘28 then reported that he had asked Res-Life about getting advance warning about fire drills for pet owners with emotional support animals, but due to the fire marshal’s orders, Res-Life could not accommodate the request. However, he and Greer are planning on meeting them again in two weeks to iron something out. The Title XI and VI committee met with Title IX and VI Coordinator Christy Martin, and after she returns from vacation they will continue trying to get clarity on the Title VI settlement’s implementation.
Senator Maya Gutierrez ‘27 was absent, but also attended the lunch with Alumni board executives.
Senator Magdalen Miller ‘29 reported for the Board on Undertaking Student Hazards (BUSH) committee, saying that she and Greer have begun working to schedule a meeting with Director of Risk Management & Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) April Sams, and Director of Student Engagement Janice Yang. The Reed Union committee has yet to meet. For Community Safety liaisonship, Miller and Happy are looking to find a time where new Community Safety Director Carl Peaster can attend Senate Public and answer any questions students may have.
Senator Wallingford then reported that the Health and Safety committee is having a meeting in October and any students with related pressing concerns should contact him so they can be addressed at that meeting.
Assistant Treasurer Enzo Lawrence ‘28 reported that the Reed Union committee has finally found a time to meet. He also noted that, while Martin is on vacation, Senate has been connected with other staff who can address related concerns about Title VI until she returns.
Senator and Parliamentarian Manoel Pereira Lopes ‘28 then reported that he, Greer, and Senator Quinn Capper ‘28 would be meeting with the Commons Bon Appetit board that week. He also announced that Reed will be holding its constitutional convention on Monday, October 5 and highly encouraged everyone who can to attend.
Vice Treasurer Al McKee ‘29 reported that nothing of note had happened in her committees, except that the Finance Committee (FinComm) will be meeting on Friday, September 25, from 12pm to 1pm in Eliot 121. She encourages everyone who is part of a club or wants emergency funding to attend and present.
Head Treasurer Bella Reyes ‘27 reported nothing of note, except that Funding Hell was held September 20, but many signators were untrained. She reminded students that signators must attend training every semester.
Senator Alastair Budd ‘27 had nothing of note to report.
Senator Capper reported that he met with Associate Dean of Students & Campus Life Claudia Ramírez Islas. During the meeting, Senate pushed back against the proposed idea of having “Senate Advisors.” “We want to maintain our autonomy from the administration while establishing some sort of communication,” Capper said. They are still figuring out the specifics of an amenable middle ground.
Senator and AppComm Co-Chair Greer then reported that AppComm is hiring for J-Board and she urged students to apply if interested, as they don’t yet have applicants. She also noted that the Accessibility committee will be meeting in October, and she and Budd are looped into communications regarding scheduling meetings for the Reactor committee. She said she was working on scheduling the Campus Delivery Committee to meet that week.
Senator and AppComm Co-Chair Sima Fasihi ‘28 was absent due to PE requirements. Greer gave Fasihi’s reports, stating that the HUM 110 committee is preparing to meet next week. Greer then quoted from Fasihi’s notes, “Please, please, please apply to Judicial Board. I am begging. They will come for my neck, Judicial Board will reinvent the guillotine just for me because they need more members and I haven't hired any yet. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!”
AppComm recommended Sara Tapal ‘27 and Blanca Esposito ‘30 for the Student Committee on Diversity (SCOD). They were unanimously confirmed. AppComm recommended Erika Spencer ‘28 for Student Union Assistant Manager. Spencer was also unanimously confirmed.
Senate Public was then adjourned at 4:25pm.