CLIMATE CHECK
First-year Senator Sydney Barner mentioned concerns from a student over the lack of lighting on the pathway from Murchison Hall to lower campus. Since most of the lighting is from Murchison’s windows and the light post at the bottom, much of the route is dark.
Similarly, Sophomore Senator Madelyn Stovall brought up the lighting on the pickleball court. Lighting from the football field covers half of the courts, but the courts do not have their own lighting because late-night games using large light posts could disturb dorm rooms nearby. DEI Chair Trinity Hatchett suggested SGA could provide small portable lights for the courts, which wouldn’t disturb students in dorm rooms.
First-year Senator Kingsley Agyeman-Yeboah requested the acai bowl restaurant return to Coates. He also stated the last time it came back, students were unaware, and the timing didn’t work well.
Senator Agyeman-Yeboah also mentioned the number of people filling out the forms at SGA’s tabling is low and proposed an incentive such as free cookies. President Joy Areola proposed SGA bring Free Food Fridays to tabling efforts to encourage students to fill out the forms.
FUNDING
The Muslim Student Association requested funding for their Palestine Teach-In on Dec. 4 to help bring awareness to international events. A similar event occurred last year with great success, and they are expecting up to 300 people to attend.
They requested funding for food, utensils, advertising and TUPD service, totaling $2,630.88, which was fully granted.
The International Club requested funding for Tiger Stripes Brazil, an event with traditional Brazilian dancing, cuisine and casual soccer games. The event is on Nov. 20 from 5-6:30 p.m., and is in partnership with the International Student Scholars Service, who is helping to cover costs for the event as well, so the International Club only asked SGA to fund the food, totaling $1,500. The request was fully funded.
REFLECTIONS
SGA spent time reflecting on the current semester, including accomplishments, concerns, impact and communication. Senators and cabinet members were allowed to provide feedback to President Areola, which was used to determine next semester’s goals.
Accomplishments included improving communication on finances between SGA members, increasing transparency and following up on climate check concerns. First-year Senator Pilar Mier specifically praised the Trini-Tailgate event for its success.
Senators presented concerns over SGA not being transparent enough with organizations over their funding, as well as wasting time within meetings. Funding standards were a major concern, as there was a decrease over the semester in funding being given out, and SGA didn’t have any concrete standards on how much could be funded. Treasurer John Ferretti wanted a better way to gauge how SGA has impacted students and their events overall.
For impact, Senator Barner shared that her friends in Mock Trial rave about how fun the invitationals they attended were, which were directly funded by SGA. Junior Senator Rohit Shetty stated the Film Club’s relationship with SGA has improved. Junior Senator Sabrina Cinque said the impacts of SGA aren’t always immediately seen when senators follow up on climate checks, and PR could do a better job of communicating the changes that are happening. This has been a goal of President Areola.
Dean of Students Jamie Thompson praised SGA for the more robust agendas, which helped to streamline SGA meetings and improve communication. Senator Stovall stated the language being used in SGA is improving as well.
For next semester, SGA’s external goals include gathering community feedback, creating community partnerships outside of Trinity and engaging with and improving campus culture. Internally, SGA is concerned over being consistent with funding, being transparent with student organizations over issues with funding and coming up with more prepared questions for funding.
OFFICER REPORTS
President Areola brought up that Senator Barner has been working with gardening club and other organizations to present a composting solution to dining services. Chief of Staff Harrison Tinker noted a lapse in attendance in SGA, and senators don’t have absences available for next semester. Next week’s meeting will be the last meeting of the semester.
