Climate Check

Senior Senator Ameer Mustafa opened climate check with a concern about the water fountain in Dicke Smith that has been out of order since Apr. 20. According to a memo taped to the water fountain in question, it was scheduled to be replaced by Sept. 20 but still has not been replaced. President Danny Nguyen advised Senator Mustafa to put in a work order and then send an email to Ernesto Gonzalez, associate director of facilities services, and cc him.

Sophomore Senator Allison Waters raised a suggestion from a constituent to provide tissues in the classroom and asked about the feasibility of such an action. President Nguyen advised sending an email to Gonzalez.

Senator Waters also asked who she should reach out to about updating the TigerPaws site. President Nguyen stated that there were plans to update the site in the future and asked Advisor Jamie Thompson to confirm. Advisor Thompson stated that the TigerPaws update could possibly happen next year and that there is an ongoing search for a new platform. President Nguyen confirmed that the current platform for TLearn was also on track to be replaced, but was unable to give a timeline.

Sophomore Senator Harrison Tinker was not sure if his information was accurate, but had been told that Workday, the new HR system to be implemented next semester, will also replace TigerPaws.

First-year Senator Sameed Aijaz raised a concern about the blue cubicles on the fourth floor of the library. President Nguyen advised filing a work order and emailing Gonzalez if the issue is not resolved.

Junior Senator Angela Huereca-Alvarado gave an update about the potential of installing a printer in City Vista, stating that Bruce Bravo, senior director of conferences and auxiliary services, did not think it would be convenient, but that there was a possibility of getting a printer installed in Dicke Hall.

Senator Waters stated that the signage in the laundry room has been updated by Bravo.

Sophomore Senator Ani Siva asked if it would be possible to put together a form to source student opinions on where water bottle filling stations should be installed in residence halls. Senator Aijaz pitched posting the survey on residence hall bulletin boards using QR codes. Senator Siva suggested sending out the survey to RAs and via class wide emails.

Sophomore Senator Nadesh Vaithianathan raised a concern about Rockbot restrictions on Christmas music. Senator Siva informed Senator Vaithianathan that the restriction was placed by Charles Robles, director of food services, in response to a student religiously queuing “All I Want for Christmas.”

Senator Siva gave an update on the SGA’s initiative to collaborate with student accessibility services (SAS), stating that he was working on getting in touch with Megan Mustain, provost, to put together a SAS task force.

President Nguyen closed climate check stating that the past weekend had record-breaking attendance at the women’s soccer games after SGA subsidized student tickets. He also told the senator to keep an eye out for the menstrual dispensers, which will be installed this month.

Emergency Senate Funding Meeting – Mock Trial

Mock Trial representatives presented the same proposal for funding to attend the Austin College Invitational Competition from the Nov. 2 funding meeting. They clarified the misunderstanding that occurred during their previous presentation regarding receipts and specified that they have now submitted the required receipts. Mock Trial requested the same amount of $3,247.88 to cover hotel costs, meals, registration fees, gas and demonstratives.

Senator Mustafa moved to fund Mock Trial the full amount of $3,247.88. After beating Senator Waters in a round of rock-paper-scissors, Sophomore Senator Ella Charbonnet seconded the motion. The motion passed with one against and two abstaining.

Staff Chat— John Rowse, assistant police chief & John Stantellan, Lieutenant-Investigator

John Rowse, assistant police chief, gave the senate an overview of the Trinity University Police Department (TUPD). Rowse outlined the different trainings that all TUPD officers undergo — including breacher training that prepares TUPD to handle hostage situations, according to John Stantellan, Lieutenant-Investigator — and patrol protocols. Rowse also informed the Senate that TUPD is working with health services towards an initiative that would allow students who are being voluntarily admitted for mental health reasons to be transported to the hospital in an ambulance rather than in the back of a cop car.

Rowse then invited the senators to ask them questions, telling them to bring on questions about why there isn’t enough parking on campus.

Senator Mustafa asked how much revenue TUPD accrues from parking violations. Rowse stated that he did not know, since the money from parking violations does not go to TUPD. Advisor Thompson explained that when she was on the parking committee a few years ago, the funds were used for parking lot upkeep, such as repainting lines.

Senator Charbonnet raised a concern about the regularity of the campus alert test, stating that, although it sounds cynical, someone could easily note the pattern and take advantage of it to do something bad during that time period. Rowse explained that the test occurs on the first Friday of every month, right as most classes end, in order to minimize disrupting the campus. Rowse also said it was also good to have people who could think evilly like Senator Charbonnet.

Senator Waters noted that TUPD cannot help change flat tires and asked what are the department limitations. Rowse explained that they are not allowed to change tires or help students who get locked out of their car because of the potential liability for car damage; however TUPD can provide a student with a jumpstart.

Senator Vaithianathan asked what students can do to prevent their car batteries from dying over winter break. Stantellan recommended that students go to AutoZone and get their car battery checked for free, explaining that if a car’s battery has at least a 70% charge, it is safe to leave the car parked over the break. Stantellan also stated that students who inform TUPD can leave their cars locked in the orange level of Laurie Auditorium over the break.

Senator Mustafa asked for clarification of TUPD’s policy of taking students to the drunk tank. Stantellan explained that students are not actually taken to the drunk tank, instead they are taken to a detox center where they can sleep off their intoxication under the supervision of a trained individual without starting a public criminal record. The next day students are able to take a free Uber that is monitored by ResLife for safety back to campus.

Senator Mustafa asked for clarification on the Responsible Friend Policy in cases in which multiple people are accompanying the individual who is in need of assistance. Stantellan explained that it is often a case-by-case situation, but TUPD’s first priority is the student who needs assistance and the only names that typically make the official report are the student who needs help and the student who called TUPD. Stantellan explained that TUPD follows the “baby deer policy” which means they give students the benefit of the doubt and do not intervene unless the student is walking like a baby deer.

Sophomore Senator Andrew Phillips asked when officers are required to wear their body cams. Rowse stated every officer who is on patrol wears one for their entire shift and has one on for every call they respond to, so that every officer contact is recorded. Officers who are not on patrol do not wear body cams.

Officer Report:

There was nothing to report.