STAFF CHAT
Tom Evelyn, vice president of Strategic Communications and Marketing (SCM), announced Trinity’s plans to change its logo. Evelyn presented one possible rebrand to SGA, and SCM will reveal the new logo gradually throughout August, starting with a quiet website redesign on Aug. 1 and culminating in a launch event on the first day of the 2026-2027 academic year.
Evelyn asked SGA for feedback on how to attract students to the launch event. Judicial Chair Odi Aneji suggested SCM offer free food and merchandise featuring the new logo. Junior Vice President Madelyn Stovall suggested they give out stuffed animals displaying the logo.
SCM is currently discussing potential logo changes on sports teams’ jerseys and other university-sponsored organizations’ (USO) merchandise with stakeholders, Evelyn said. He asked that two to four SGA members volunteer as brand ambassadors, in which they would help create admissions marketing materials.
SCM representatives sent SGA members a survey to gather feedback on the rebrand, including ideas for redesigning the SGA logo. They will gradually introduce this new brand to different organizations leading up to the launch, Evelyn said.
FUNDING REQUESTS
MEN’S CLUB SOCCER: FULLY FUNDED FOR $3,444.80
Men’s club soccer requested $3,444.80 for new uniforms and soccer balls. Representatives said their jerseys and socks frequently tear or go missing and that sharing balls with women’s club soccer has led to a low supply. Sophomore Senator Eva Smith asked how the team stores and manages jerseys. The club handles storage, washing and distribution themselves. Sophomore Senator Nellie Clark motioned to fully fund, and 17 senators voted in favor with one abstention.
BLACK STUDENT UNION: FULLY FUNDED FOR $3,151.20
The Black Student Union (BSU) requested $3,151.20 as partial reimbursement for their fifth annual Black Essence Festival on Feb. 27. BSU representatives said the organization has seen a sharp decline in funding due to a lack of financial support from the 1869 Challenge and an increase in members requesting emergency funding. Time constraints prevented the organization from requesting SGA funding before Black Essence Festival, representatives said. Senator Clark said Black Essence Festival brings joy to campus, and thus it made sense to reimburse BSU. Senator Clark motioned to fully fund BSU, and 17 senators voted in favor.
MOCK TRIAL: FULLY FUNDED FOR UP TO $1,780
Trinity Mock Trial requested a reimbursement of $1,780 for entry in the Opening Round Championship Series (ORCS) on March 20-22. The team won multiple individual and team awards and advanced to the national semifinals. Associate Dean of Students Ben Williams said that because the request was for reimbursement, SGA needed to review receipts to determine exact expenditures. He suggested SGA fund up to $1,780 rather than exactly $1,780 – determining the number based on actual expenses. Sophomore Senator Andrew Cernosek motioned to fully fund the request, and 18 senators voted in favor.
CLIMATE CHECK
Sophomore Collaborations Chair Julio Melara said Dick and Peggy Prassel Hall has lacked hot water for weeks, and residents have not received updates on when the issue will be resolved. Senator Smith added that students have submitted multiple work orders with no response. President Omar Ratrut said that when reaching out to Dave Riker, interim senior director of facilities operations, Riker mentioned that he had been out of office for the past week and a half. President Ratrut suggested that Riker’s absence may be why students’ haven’t seen work order responses.
President Ratrut asked for SGA members to volunteer to represent Trinity at the Battle of the Flowers Parade on April 24. Senator Clark and Junior Senator River Rocha both expressed interest. He also requested volunteers to represent Trinity at the Fiesta Cavalier River Parade on April 20. First-year Senator Oliver Billings, Junior Senator Camryn Sperling, Senior Senator Sabrina Cinque and Senator Rocha all expressed interest.
