CLIMATE CHECK
First-year Senator Nellie Clark mentioned that dry erase markers in Chapman Center on the second floor hardly ever work. Vice President Allison Waters told Clark to reach out to the departments around the area and Ernesto Gonzalez to address concerns.
First-year Senator Pilar Mier brought up printing concerns presented by fellow students and proposed that some of donors’ money be set aside to cover printing costs for students or try to reduce students’ need to spend money on printing.
First-year Senator John De Hoyos mentioned cleanliness concerns with Beze underground, including leftover trash, a bucket that collects sewage water and that the area is very rarely cleaned. Multiple senators brought up their concerns over similar issues in other areas and how Residential Life was addressing them. President Joy Areola requested that students be responsible stewards of areas and not leave trash.
STAFF CHAT
The first staff member brought in was Andrew Wells, vice president for Student Affairs. Wells provided an update on the construction projects happening at Trinity, starting with the Esplanade. The project began this summer and should be wrapping up in January. On Sept. 30, Cardiac Hill opened again because the first phase, redoing pavement on the east side of the Coates Student Center, was completed. Wells predicted that by mid-November phase two will end and the pathway around the Coates atrium will open again.
Wells also brought up the new kitchen in the lounge in North Hall and South Hall. New furniture is coming in over the summer similar to furniture in Dicke Hall. The Witt Center was renovated as well, with enhancements to desks that are more inclusive to students with disabilities and more energy-efficient lighting. Finally, Health Services was renovated with exam rooms moved adjacently, the staff lounge moved out and the reception area adjusted for more privacy. Flooring, lighting and walls were also improved.
Senior Senator William Martin brought attention to the fourth-floor rooftop of the library and its revitalization, a student-led initiative, asking if the university would play a role in the renovation. This was Wells’ first time hearing of the issue, and he said that he plans to meet with staff and see how they can address it and include it in library renovations. After concerns about the cleanliness of laundry room areas, Wells will follow up with Residential Life to see about adding laundry rooms to future walkthroughs.
Resident District Manager Chase Taylor and Marketing Director Kristin Aldrete came in to represent Dining Services. They requested that students fill out the Voice to Vision survey. They said that their visit from a health inspector resulted in a score of 98, and that because of student concerns over bugs, staff is more thoroughly inspecting produce. Wolff requested to see Chick-fil-A in Coates Student Center every Friday, and Taylor said that he would attempt to make that happen. Taylor also mentioned that he was attempting to turn Thursday nights into breakfast nights at Mabee, because of concerns about food waste. Taylor clarified that Mabee uses batch cooking over bulk cooking in an attempt to reduce food waste, but there is currently no solution for disposing of food waste besides throwing it away.
OFFICER REPORTS
Chief of Staff Harrison Tinker presented concerns over the SGA pickleball social scheduled for Sunday which many members of SGA could not attend. The social is being moved to Oct. 27, allowing alumni to attend as well.
DEI Chair Trinity Hatchett emailed Ernesto Gonzalez about the plumbing concerns in the library discussed in the previous meeting. Gonzalez addressed these concerns by saying that the plumbing in the library was very old and not much could be done. The second-floor bathrooms should be up and running, and he asks students to just flush a couple of times and not use too much toilet paper.
Wolff requested assistance giving out purple donuts for Sexual Assault Awareness Week in Coates Student Center on Friday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
SGA also held an executive session during the meeting, which is private and closed to the public.