Climate Check:
Junior Senator Allison Waters opened climate check by inquiring as to whether Trinity had some sort of system set up where students could get old, unused furniture from university buildings for cheap, and if not, who she should talk to about getting that set up. President Danny Nguyen said that he did not believe something like that existed, aside from the unofficial Trinity marketplace Instagram account on which students can sell furniture to each other. He suggested she reach out to Ernesto Gonzalez, associate director of facilities services.
Sophomore Senator Odi Aneji wanted to know what the status of the ice cream machine was, and junior Senator Ella Charbonnet clarified that the machine has been up and running as of yesterday. Vice President Caterina Mora relayed that students have asked her whether the CityVista apartments gym could open earlier than 10:00 a.m. and President Nguyen pointed to residential life coordinator Dylan Pflum for any City Vista issues.
Senator Charbonnet shared that a bulk order of keys had been placed for the menstrual product machines in campus bathrooms. Vice President Mora added that they needed some kind of accountability system for anyone in charge of the keys to avoid the keys getting misplaced.
Junior Senator Joy Areola asked if it would be possible to pass off the responsibility of restocking the machines to facilities, and President Nguyen said that facilities had only agreed to install the machines. Senator Charbonnet added that with the barrier to institutionalizing the restocking process, this would be a responsibility passed from one SGA cohort to another.
Judicial Chair Pierce Jackson brought up issues students have been having with TUAccess, even using the “bring your own device” portal. Senator Areola discussed the issues professors have been having adjusting to Canvas. Junior Senator Harrison Tinker said that the Canvas training had been optional and that the new deans cannot enforce the use of Canvas until the spring. Professors can reach out to Information Technology Services for Canvas help.
DEI Chair Trinity Hatchett mentioned that marginalized first-year students are looking to connect with diverse faculty members and asked for people to send her the emails of any professors they think would be interested. Senator Charbonnet announced a Sept. 14. social hour with the first-years.
Officer Reports:
President Nguyen reported that they were working on bringing back Free Food Friday, with current plans being to have them once per month every month except December and May. He talked about plans for a November SGA tailgate and another Tigers Night Out with the Spurs. He said that plans are for SGA to get more involved in fall family weekend and alumni weekend.
Legislative Relations Chair (LRC) Nina Pollak gave her report next, informing the cabinet and senate of National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 19 and asking for volunteers. In collaboration with MOVE Texas, LRC Pollak said that she is able to help any SGA members interested in getting certified to help people register to vote.
Collaborations Chair Natalie Kim ended officer reports by asking for volunteers to help set up for the Tiger Unity Tailgate, on which SGA collaborates with the Student Programming Board and Greek Council, on Sept. 9. Before leaving the meeting, in a touching moment of unity, the senators helped Junior Senator Andrew Phillips put on his snake costume for Greek Kickoff.
