2024-10-29 SGA Senate Meeting Minutes

October 22, 2024
2:15pm, Forum 3-130, Downtown Campus Room 200B, Zoom

In Attendance

Student Senators

  • Senator Elisabeth Small
  • Senator Ashley Wrobeh
  • Senator Billy Simba
  • Senator Shawn Sanchez
  • Senator Lizzy Cole
  • Senator Neenee Curry
  • Senator Ryan

President

  • Angelo Romero

Vice President of Governance

  • Alicia Crimmins

Vice President of Downtown

  • Loritea Ellis

Treasurer

  • Esma Demir

Chief of Staff

  • Liam Krieger

Secretary of Governance

  • Tehya Deisenroth

Student Trustee

  • Joseph Leichtner

Historian

  • Nick Tran

Office of Student Life

  • Advisor: Jodi Oriel
  • Faculty Advisor: Mark Sample

Visitors

  • Ryan Messenger – Student Affairs
  • Ginny Geer-Mentry – MCC Association
  • Dana Williams – MCC Student
  • Dana Volden-Curry – Faculty Senate
  • Jack Daly – YDSA
  • Mario Solis – ICT Club
  • Hanan Gahi – Trio
  • Nicole Fedele – C-S.T.E.P.

Minutes

Call to Order (2:17 pm)

  1. Roll Call (see attendance above)
    Vice President of Governance Crimmins called for a roll call to start the senate meeting.
  2. Land Acknowledgement
  3. Approval of Minutes
    1. Vice President of Governance Crimmins called for a motion to approve the October 15, 2024 Student Government Association minutes.
    2. Senator Small so moved, seconded by Senator Sanchez
    3. A vote was taken.
    4. Be it resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the October 15, 2024 minutes as written.

Speak to the Senate

  1. Dana Volden Curry and Eric Wheeler from MCC’s Faculty Senate Professional Development
    Committee. They had requested to have a collaboration between Student Government Association and
    the Faculty Senate Professional Development Committee to create a part in the Employee Recognition
    Ceremony to have SGA award MCC’s Champion.
  2. Eric Wheeler extended an invitation to SGA to volunteer and/or attend the Honor Flight on Sunday,
    October 27th.

Reports

  1. President Romero

    On Monday, October 14th, President Romero attended the annual Dessert Social event hosted by
    the Student Life Office. Ra’s, Peer Navigators, Student Leaders, and other members of the MCC
    Community participated in this event, and they could network with others. President Dr. Burt Nanna
    gave a speech, and questions were asked of her regarding leadership and who she looked up to. This
    event was fantastic, with treats for people to snack on. On Tuesday, October 15th, President Romero
    attended the academic year’s second Club & Orgs meeting. The meeting was celebrating Halloween, and
    a small icebreaker activity was done where everyone at each table had to solve a mystery. President
    Romero would report on what SGA has done since they last met and what they are doing in the future.
    He also gives a reminder on how every club & org has to stay for the entire meeting. Thanks to the Club
    Connect Committee members for their hard work yesterday and for holding a great meeting. On
    Wednesday, October 16th, Veteran Senator Sanchez and President Romero attended the Meet the
    Candidates event hosted by the College Democrats club. They invited Judicial Candidates who were
    running for judicial seats, and they spoke about their experiences. Erin Skinner is running for the NY
    Supreme Court, Michael Ansaldi for County court, and Ella Marshall for Family court. Students could
    hear from them and why they are the most experienced for the positions they are running for. At the end,
    they got a group photo. Later on the day, SGA held its second Snack & Chat of the semester at Canal
    Hall. They had snacks to give out to students and activities such as Cornhole or Uno. This was a good
    event, and they did get in touch with other students who wanted to learn more about SGA. Also,
    President Romero contacted one of Suffolk County Community’s Student Government and answered
    any questions about the SUNY Student Assembly. He will meet with them in November to meet the rest
    of the team. On Thursday, October 17th, President Romero attended the second meeting with a cultural
    alliance with Diversity Senator Smalls and Student Relations Senator Simba. Overall, this meeting
    revolved around planning to help with Adoptee’s Awareness Month, and he was finding more
    information about it. Later, he attended the MCC Association Board meeting in Canal Hall. They
    reviewed the Audited Financial Report presented by external auditors, the 990 Review, the Employee
    Benefits Review w/403B Audit, and a presentation on the Childcare Center. They also discussed hiring
    people in the athletic department. Overall, this was a very productive meeting.

  2. Vice President of Governance Crimmins

    Good afternoon, starting off on Monday October 14th, Vice President of Crimmins along with
    many other student leaders attended the Dessert Social with President Dr Burt Nanna and the colleges
    executive leadership team. Everyone sat at different tables to facilitate conversation and networking.
    Then on Tuesday October 15th, after the public senate meeting, Club Connect did an amazing job with
    the Halloween theme for the monthly clubs and orgs meeting. The goody bags, activities, food, and
    delivery of reports were all well thought out and executed. On Wednesday October 16th, after her Peace
    Committee meeting, she participated in the Canal Hall SGA Snack-n-Chat and later that week started
    training Resident Hall Senator Cole for a new position. Thank you.

  3. Vice President of Downtown Ellis

    On October 14th, 2024, the VP of the Downtown Campus Ellis attended Mindful Monday Event
    at the High Falls A&B 11:30 am – 12:00 pm with the Counseling, Disability and Health Services
    Department in collaboration with the Disability Awareness Club & Student Life and Leadership. The
    event offered nutrition education value on mindful eating from a Cornell Cooperative nutrition educator,
    a gentle yoga and meditation class, mindfulness activities and more. The VP of the Downtown Campus
    learned how mindful Monday helps set a positive tone, allowing others to cultivate focus, reduce stress,
    and enhance their overall well-being for the days ahead. It was a great time and being able to see the
    students participate was a bonus. At 12:00 pm The VP of the Downtown Campus set a table for turbo tax
    on the second floor.

  4. Treasurer Demir

    Treasurer Demir and the club connect committee put a fun twist on the usual Clubs and
    Organizations meeting by turning it into a Halloween-themed event, making the whole process a lot
    more enjoyable for everyone. The forum was decorated with spooky decorations—goodie bags and
    DIY kits—that set the mood right from the start. To keep the energy up, Treasurer Demir and our
    fellow Club Connect member Brandon also did a quick team building activity by giving every table
    mysteries to solve.

  5. Secretary of Governance Deisenroth

    Good afternoon. On Monday, October 14th, Secretary Deisenroth attended the Dessert Social
    with President Dr. Burt-Nanna and her leadership team. She was able to connect with the officials on
    the team and they had a productive discussion on important topics regarding our mental health and the
    MCC climate. Congratulations to Club Connect for hosting a very fun and interactive Club and Org’s
    meeting. On Wednesday, October 16th, she also attended the Peace Committee meeting, and they are
    brainstorming for their next event. Thank you.

  6. Chief of Staff Krieger

    On Tuesday, Liam Krieger, Chief of Staff, tabled for the voter registration event. He spoke with
    Lester about expanding the communication network between the SGA and WMCC. Additionally, he
    met with Elizabeth Small from the Diversity Alliance Committee to discuss ways to enhance publicity
    for their events. Liam also connected with the social media team to explore similar strategies for
    increasing event visibility.

  7. Historian Tran

    Historian Tran attended his first senate meeting of this semester. He also did tabling for
    TurboVote on Thursday Oct 17th. Historian Tran also is against President Romero’s ideology
    Romeroism which is communism in disguise.

  8. Health & Wellness Senator Wrobeh

    Health and Wellness Senator Wrobeh had no report this week.

  9. Veterans Senator Sanchez

    On Monday, October 14th, Veteran Senator Sanchez participated in the Dessert Social with other
    SGA members, where the President of the college delivered an inspiring speech. Attendees engaged in
    meaningful conversations with fellow college leaders. On Thursday, October 17th, Senator Sanchez
    attended a Veterans Club meeting, and they shared a reminder about the upcoming Honor Flight on
    Sunday, October 27th, at the Rochester airport, encouraging everyone to support our veterans with a
    warm welcome back. On Friday, October 18th, Senator Sanchez held a meeting for the COS committee
    to finalize the last parts of the PowerPoint presentation.

  10. Student Relations Senator Simba

    On Thursday, October 10th, Senator Simba met with the Cultural Alliance to discuss their plans
    for November. They are planning an awareness campaign for the Adoptee Citizenship Act with a table
    on Tuesdays and Thursdays from November 7th-26th. Senator Simba will be tabling from 12:00 PM to
    12:15 PM, and then Angelo and the chairperson will take over. They will have flyers, a trifold, and
    information from Adoptees for Justice, and they will be collecting signatures. The Cultural Alliance is
    also planning a panel discussion with adoptees and a representative from Adoptees for Justice (via
    Zoom) on November 18th, 19th, or 21st during College Hour. That evening, they will host a dinner in
    the Forum or Monroe A & B for more stories and discussion. They will be collaborating with Christina
    Lee and advertising through CELC and WMCC, and they may open the event to the public.

  11. Diversity Senator Small

    On Monday, October 14th, Elisabeth Small joined Dr. Burt-Nanna, the Executive Leadership
    Team, and students in leadership roles at the Dessert and Chat for the chance to network and receive
    valuable insight and advice from the team at MCC. On Tuesday, October 15th, Elisabeth along with
    Club Connect hosted the Club and Organization Halloween party. They had a successful, and engaging
    event that was well received from the food to the icebreaker. Congratulations to Robotics Club, Global
    Alliance, and Tabletop Club for winning the icebreaker challenge. On Thursday, October 17th,
    Elisabeth met with Culture Alliance to discuss the plans for Adoption Awareness month in November
    and collaboration with Adoptees for Justice. Additionally on Thursday, Elisabeth tabled for TurboVote
    with Historian Tran.

  12. Student Trustee Leichtner

    Student Trustee Leichtner has no report this week.

  13. Residence Hall Senator Cole
    Hello everyone, On Monday, October 14, Senator Cole attended the Leadership Desert Social,
    where she had the opportunity to converse and network with other student leaders, as well as some
    members of President Burt-Nanna’s Executive Leadership Team. At our tables we utilized conversation
    starter cards, which facilitated engaging discussions. Overall, it was a very pleasant event, and she was
    grateful for the chance to connect with some of the executive board members. On the following day,
    Tuesday, October 15, she participated in the Clubs and Organizations Meeting, which had a Halloween
    theme. She got to hear numerous reports and she’d like to give a shout-out to our new Clubs and
    Organization Senator, Ryan, along with the other members of Club Connect. The meeting was very
    well organized, and it was clear that a significant amount of effort had gone into its planning. Then on
    Wednesday, October 16, we held a Snack and Chat at Canal Hall. Although the turnout wasn’t as high
    as we expected, everyone still enjoyed themselves. Finally, on Friday, she attended another COS
    meeting where we wrapped up the Student Government slideshow and discussed items for the video we
    are making for virtual classes. Thank you!.
  14. Downtown Campus Senator Curry
    Neenee Curry is the Downtown Senator. On Tuesday the 15th of October, Senator Neenee helped
    participate and plan out the club and organizing with fellow SGA members. The Club and Organization
    event was a great opening event for Senator Neenee since it being her first. Senator Neenee also got to
    bring two other soon-to-be students to the Downtown campus job fair that happened on Thursday the
    17th, and she also got to gather information and resources to be ready to help other student if questions
    was asked. Also, Senator Neenee has been in contact with George Merz at the downtown campus
    helping refer students to the trade program and the benefits at the downtown campus. As of the 18th,
    Senator Neenee had a few minutes to talk to three of the upper bound teachers, in plans of collaborating
    the college with the Highschool students for information and a general overview of what to be prepared
    for when coming to college. But overall, Senator Neenee didn’t have a busy week she tried to keep it
    proactive.
  15. Club and Organization Senator Ryan
    Club and Organization Senator Ryan has no report this week.

New Business

  1. Action Items (requires a senate vote)
    1. Resolution to Approve the Funding Request for ICT Club

      Resolved, The Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved
      the funding request for ICT Club.
      Vice President of Governance Crimmins called for a motion to approve the resolution.
      Senator Simba so moved, seconded by Senator Cole.
      Discussion: The ICT Club has completed and met the standards of the Student Government Association and 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
      approve the funding request for ICT Club effective October 22nd, 2024, at Monroe
      Community College.

    2. Resolution to Approve the Reinstatement of YDSA
      Resolved, The Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved
      the reinstatement of YDSA
      Vice President of Governance Crimmins called for a motion to approve the resolution.
      Senator Wrobeh so moved, seconded by Senator Simba.
      Discussion: YDSA has completed and met the standards of the Student Government
      Association and 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
      approve the reinstatement of YDSA effective October 22nd, 2024, at Monroe
      Community College.

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 of Governance Crimmins called for a motion for adjournment.

    Senator Small so moved, second by Senator Sanchez
  2. Meeting was adjourned at 2:58 pm.

Executive Session

Respectfully submitted,
Tehya Deisenroth
Secretary of Governance