2023-10-10 SGA Senate Meeting Minutes

October 10, 2023
2:15 pm, Forum, Room 3-130, Downtown Campus Room 200B, Zoom

In Attendance

Student Senators

  • Senator Mohamed Souhail
  • Senator Jemeah Scott
  • Senator Giomer Garcia-Maldonado
  • Senator Thomas Adams
  • Senator Ashley Wrobeh
  • Senator Loritea Ellis
  • Senator Alicia Crimmins

Election Coordinator

  • Naz Barmak

Historian

  • Paula Balow

President

  • Joseph Leichtner

Vice President of Governance

  • Angelo Romero

Vice President of Downtown

  • Mandie McGinnis

Treasurer

  • Zeynep Guney

Chief of Staff

  • Ava Allen

Secretary of Governance

  • Ivy Zin

Student Trustee

  • Ana Santos

Office of Student Life

  • Advisor: Jodi Oriel
  • Faculty Advisor: Mark Sample

Visitors

  • Piort Cetner – ELC
  • Owen Verbree – SMASH Club
  • Ari Gischer – Building Services
  • Dana Williams – MCC Student
  • David Graziano – Campus One80
  • Lorden Grant – Campus One80
  • Lexi Bolding – Campus One80
  • Ginny Geer-Mentry – MCCA
  • Amy Greer – Student Rights & Responsibilities
  • Tarush Ghai – Campus Activities Board

Minutes

Call to Order (2:15 pm)

  1. Roll Call (see attendance above)
    Vice President of Governance Romero called for a roll call to start the senate meeting.
  2. Land Acknowledgement
  3. Approval of Minutes
    1. Vice President of Governance Romero called for a motion to approve the October 3rd, 2023, Student Government Association minutes.
    2. Senator Adams so moved, seconded by Senator Scott.
    3. A vote was taken.
    4. To be resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the October 3rd, 2023, minute as written.

Speak to the Senate

  1. Chief of Public Safety- Steven Wise
    Chief of Public Safety, Steven Wise talked about rifles being added to the campus security equipment. He also answered the questions from the student body and the audience.
  2. Tarush Ghai- Campus Activities Board
    Tarush Ghai, a member of the campus activities board came to the senate meeting and expressed gratitude to the global union and Student Government Association for the support during the Hispanic Heritage Event

Reports

  1. President Leichtner
    On 10/09/23 President Leichtner attended the Sustainability Steering Committee meeting, of which he is a member. The committee discussed planning a break-free from plastic pollution event. This event will take place on Monday, October 23rd, and go from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. It would be located in the Empire Room on Brighton Campus. The event will feature a 30-minute film called Smog of the Sea and include reflection and discussion.
  2. Vice President Romero
    Vice President Romero has no reports for this week.
  3. Vice President of Downtown McGinnis
    On October 2nd Downtown Vice President McGinnis with Disability Awareness Club’s advisor Jean McCrumb, Vice President Amari, and Secretary Nysean to get an update on their big fall semester event, a fall social. The club is planning a fun interactive event with dancing, crafts, food, games, and so much more. Please save the date, November 15th Downtown campus 2nd floor lounge, be there or be square. Also discussed was the interest in expanding the Disability Awareness Club to the Brighton campus since there is student interest at Brighton.

    Thursday, October 4th Vice President McGinnis met with Kim Delardge, Director of Academic and Student Affairs, Downtown Campus. This was our first meeting of the semester where Vice President McGinnis reported the growth of SGA, with three members taking courses Downtown. Updating that SGA currently has three committees, the community service, resource, and enrollment reimagine committees, to support SGA in completing their goals that align with MCC’s 2027 Vision’s goals. Vice President McGinnis shared the potential for a showcase event for the spring 2024 semester of Human Service major students with the community agencies they work or intern for at the Downtown campus. Kim shared that student workers were in the planning stages of a fiesta with further details to come.

  4. Treasurer Guney
    Treasurer Guney has no reports for this week.
  5. Secretary of Governance Zin

    Secretary of Governance Zin has no reports for this week.

  6. Chief of Staff Allen

    Chief of Staff Allen has no reports for this week.

  7. Diversity Senator Scott
    Over this past week, Senator Scott completed the flyer for the recreation room’s naming competition. The deadline to submit applications is October 20th, so it is strongly encouraged that those who wish to pick a name will do so as soon as possible. This is a great opportunity for students to get a chance to win a Surface Pro while also getting involved in leaving a mark on campus.
  8. Health & Wellness Senator Wrobeh
    Health and Wellness Senator Wrobeh has no reports for this week
  9. Student Relations Senator Adams
    This past week Senator Adams pushed further his goals of outreach and did a brief meeting with Lawson to discuss the ideas; which he was open to. One such possibility would involve the Chemistry Club, however, that is still an idea at this moment. Later in the week Sen. Adams attended a campus tour and spoke separately when a campus tour came into the SGA room.
  10. Clubs and Organizations Senator Garcia-Maldonado
    Clubs and Organizations Senator Garcia-Maldonado has no reports for this week.
  11. Election Coordinator Barmak
    Over the past weeks, the Student Government Election Coordinator, Barmak, attended the leadership training session on Saturday to learn more about the qualities she needs to become a great leader and represent the Student Government as well as meet members of other clubs and organization and learn more about them, in order to become more aware of MCC and play her role as an SGA member. She also continued to work on the presidential report about Vision 2027 as she organized and made adjustments to it. She continues to get involved in SGA events as much as she can to represent the students with her team.
  12. Athletic Senator Souhail
    As the athletic senator, Mohamed Souhail had a busy week. He dedicated his time to personal and professional development by participating in a leadership training program. This training aimed to enhance their leadership skills and equip them with the tools needed to excel in the role of athletic senator.

    In addition to their leadership training, Mohamed Souhail also had an exciting opportunity to represent the College when they traveled to Boston for a highly anticipated game.

  13. Virtual Campus Senator Ellis

    New Virtual Campus Senator is Loritea Ellis, and she is a returning student. She is looking to succeed and walk across the stage without borders. She is majoring in Liberal Arts as of now, but previously was doing International Business. She is at MCC to learn like all of the other MCC students, and to do my best while doing so. She enjoys serving and being an advocate to those who need a mic to their voices. She is a game changer and a voice amplifier. Virtual Campus Senator Ellis currently helps many different organizations from profit to non-profit in her daily life. In fact, her latest job offer was as a motivational speaker for the YWCA be the change 140 anniversary luncheon; at the Convention Center on 10/4/23 she was seated as a VIP with a lot of powerhouses on stage. Such as Deanna Dewbeery, Anchor & Reporter, News 10NBC, Rev. Dr. Angela Sims, Hon. Kathy Hochul, Governor, State of NY, Hon. Joseph Morelle, U.S. House of Representatives, Hon. Dam Bello, County Executive, Monroe County, Hon. Malik Evans, Mayor, City of Rochester, Sherry Jackson, VP, Marketing & Communications, U.S Ceiling Corp, Cora Conklin, Digital Factory, Dr. Myra Henry, President & CEO of YWCA of Monroe County, Erin Gruwell, Freedom Writers Foundation, and lastly Dr.Lesli Myers-SMALL, DLT Consulting and Monroe Community College. As a serial entrepreneur, she is certified and qualified to sit along with any powerhouse. She is not intimidated at all by change, different demographics, or positions. Whatever it is that she does not know; she always aims to learn when it is a need to do so. To be honest, she is a hands-on learner, but most of my experience has been self-taught. As an online student who is learning to navigate the systems by herself. She intends to help assist others to pivot their way around as well. As someone who knows very well at firsthand the struggles that first-time students, returning students may have with just the school setting, and online transition. She wishes to help them where they can be confident as they are to take the next steps in their pursuit of higher education. She also wishes to become part of the village you all have created, and another pillar for the students to rely on. She is new to this role, and it is a new one that she understands has been added. As we learn what she can do to better assist and adjust accordingly please feel free to ask for her assistance if you need it. She would do my best to see how I too can best serve and be of help. She looks forward to just being able to learn and pivot my way to whatever you all are willing to help me with.

New Business

  1. Action Items (requires a senate vote)
    1. Resolution for the appointment of Alicia Crimmins
      Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved the appointment of Alicia Crimmins.
      Vice President Romero called for a motion to approve the resolution.
      Senator Adams so moved, second by Senator Scott.
      Discussion: Alicia Crimmins has met all the requirements to be appointed by the Student Government Association.
      A vote was taken. The resolution passed.
      Be it resolved, the senate presents and votes that the Student Government Association appoint Alicia Crimmins as the residence hall senator at Monroe Community College.
    2. Resolution for the approval of the funding request to the Black Student Union.
      Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved the Black Student Union’s financial request for $750 for the Halloween Party.
      Vice President Romero called for a motion to approve the resolution.
      Senator Adams so moved, second by Senator Scott.
      Discussion: The Black Student Union completed the request fund and met the standards of both the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life and Leadership. A vote was taken. The resolution passed.Be it resolved, the senate presents and voting that the Student Government Association allocates up to $750 to the Black Student Union at Monroe Community College.
    3. Resolution for the approval of the funding request to the Smash Club.
      Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved the Smash Club’s financial request for $2000 for the pumpkin launching apparatus in the University of Rochester’s pumpkin-chucking competition.
      Vice President Romero called for a motion to approve the resolution.
      Senator Adams so moved, second by Senator Scott.
      Discussion: The Smash Club completed the request fund and met the standards of both the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life and Leadership.
      A vote was taken. The resolution passed.
      Be it resolved, the senate present and voting that the Student Government Association allocates up to $2000 to the Smash Club at Monroe Community College.
    4. Resolution for the approval of the funding request to Campus One80.
      Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved the Campus One80 financial request for $735 for transportation and other expenses related to attending the Sacandaga Bible Conference in Broadalbin, New York.
      Vice President Romero called for a motion to approve the resolution.
      Senator Scott so moved, second by Senator Adams.
      Discussion: Campus One80 completed the request fund and met the standards of both the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life and Leadership.
      A vote was taken. The resolution passed.
      Be it resolved, the senate present and voting that the Student Government Association allocates up to $735 to the Campus One80 at Monroe Community College.
      Resolution for the approval of the funding request to Campus One80.
  2. MCC Champion Award
    The MCC Champion Award was presented to Ari in recognition of his dedication to improving the MCC campus for the students.

Discussion Items

  1. There were no discussion items.

Old Business

  1. There was no old business.

Questions and Comments

  1. There were no questions or comments.

Adjournment

  1. Vice President Romero called for a motion for adjournment.
  2. Meeting was adjourned at 2:54 pm.

Executive Session

Respectfully submitted,
Ivy Zin
Secretary of Governance