2024-11-12 SGA Senate Meeting Minutes

November 12, 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
  • Dana Williams – MCC Student

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 29, 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 29, 2024 minutes as written.

Speak to the Senate

No one to speak to the Senate

Reports

  1. President Romero

    On Monday, October 28th, President Romero helped volunteer at the PTK Spooktober Event along with Secretary of Governance Deisenroth, Student Trustee Leichtner, and the MCC PTK Alpha Theta Iota Chapter. This whole event was to celebrate Halloween, and there were fun activities for Students to receive tickets from and interact with, like Face the Cookie, Dizzy Mummy, Pumpkin Splat, and Balloon Cup. These tickets would lead them to get entered into a giveaway, in which students would win Prizes. Overall, turnout was high, and it was a good event for students to be engaged in. On Thursday, October 31st, President Romero would host the Halloween Costume Contest, which the First Year Experience and the Bookstore sponsored. This was a fantastic event, where he introduced all the students dressed up for Halloween and asked them questions about this costume. The First Prize overall in the contest was a student dressed up as Link from the Legend of Zelda. Second place for creativity was Ashely Graham from Resident Evil 4. Third Place was a Plaque, Doctor for Scariest. The Fourth Place was a Garbage Can, which He saw run across the school after this. At the end, they all took a group photo. Shoutout to the students who participated, including Judges Dana Dicker, Charlie Suter, Justin Leenhouts, and Julie Slate. Thanks to Matt Lawson and the Peer Navigators for all their work and for inviting him to join. Earlier that morning, President Romero attended the Culture Alliance Meeting, where they finalized most of the Adoptee’s Awareness event on November 19th and discussed tabling on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-1 throughout November. From Friday, November 1st to Sunday, November 3rd, President Romero and the Alpha Iota Chapter attended the Fall Regional PTK Conference held at Mohawk Valley Community College. The conference revolved around the Power of Stories, and the Chapter would learn from this. The MVCC President, Dr Randall VanWagoner, welcomed everyone and discussed his education and career story. Throughout this conference, they met with other chapters across the region, got to know each other better, talked about what each campus is doing to reach out to students, and got them to learn about PTK. President Romero would meet up with a colleague from SUNY SA, Joseph Byrne, and he would introduce him to the PTK Team. They would also hear from keynote speakers like Yue Reisbeck on personal branding, Dr. Lorin Williams on the science of self-narrative, Aaron Field on Nazi Science and the problem with knowledge, and Alyssa Sousa telling our stories through the creative process. They would also hear from the Division 1 International Vice President, Alyssa DeFlorentis, on a report from the PTK Headquarters. Overall, this conference was a good learning experience, and he was happy to become closer to the rest of the MCC PTK Chapter. On November 5th, President Romero would attend a meeting with the Suffolk County Community College SGA team on the Ammerman Campus to talk about what SUNY SA is, what MCC is doing, and what happened at the October SUNY SA EC Meeting. He answered questions and talked about the November conference. He can’t wait to see them at the November General Assembly Conference and introduce the rest of the MCC team to them. This same day, the SGA held the Election Night Watch Party, where the students and faculty watched the 2024 election results with each other, made predictions, talked about the election, and had free food. MCC Government Relations Liaison Andres Pazmino joined the event. He introduced himself to everyone, his role, why voting in every election is important, and being involved with your community. President Romero wants to thank the whole team for setting up this event, getting students registered to vote this semester on every campus, and spreading the word about voting. The election is over now, but he knows the results are mixed. But he wants to say, “As a country, we must come together more than ever. We must root for our country and every human being to succeed, no matter our differences. We are Americans first and not Party First. We all want everyone to succeed. President George H W Bush Said to President Bill Clinton in a letter, “Your Success is now our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you.” Remember, your voice is essential, and we must hold our representatives accountable. Don’t forget, We The People, make this change, and we have the power to do so. Always participate in Democracy, and don’t let anyone think your voice doesn’t matter because you matter at the end of the day.”

  2. Vice President of Governance Crimmins

    Since our last meeting, Vice President Crimmins has continued working with the Peace Committee regarding a Ukraine War event and attended the election results watch party from start to end. The turnout was great, and she had a lot of fun with the activities and games and discussed with other attendees about the results. On Thursday November 14, VP Crimmins has a Faculty Senate meeting, covering all SGA has done since the last meeting on October 24th. Lastly, she and most of SGA will be going to the SUNY SA Conference on the 15th through the 17th. At said conference, VP Crimmins and President Romero will give a presentation about Student Governments role in promoting and enforcing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Thank you.

  3. Vice President of Downtown Ellis

    On October 21, 2024, The VP of Downtown Campus helped set up for the Dwight Shower Event at the Downtown Campus that took place at 11:00 am on the second floor. It was a great turnout with about 75 attendees. VP of Downtown Campus Ellis was excited to see how the news came out to support the event also. There was a pasta bar, photo backdrop, coloring station, line dancing, games, prizes, and nutritional information table. Later that day the VP of Downtown Campus Ellis set up a table for Turbo Vote at 12:20 pm at the downtown campus on the second floor. On October 22, 2024, VP of The Downtown Campus Ellis attended a meeting with MCC Students and Bob & Donna Brennan at 4:00 pm. There the VP of The Downtown Campus was able to hear about the donors because, and how they were both part of the SGA. It was great to hear their story, while sharing a brief story of her own as the VP of the Downtown Campus. On October 23, 2024, The VP of Downtown Campus Ellis at 11:00 am met with Kim Delardge to discuss putting of the Downtown Spirit week until another time. As the flyers had yet to be posted, and students were upset hearing at the last minute that the final approval had just been given. They asked for another time for the event to take place so they can have enough time to buy items for the themes. As this was a fair request the VP of Downtown Campus Ellis was able to get the approval after wise counsel from Kim Delardge. At 11:30 am the VP of the Downtown Campus met with more students to speak about concerns they had about clubs, dropping classes, or helping them with scholarships structure. On October 28, 2024, VP of The Downtown Campus Ellis helped set up the Spooktacular Halloween Event at 11:00 am on the third floor. There were a ton of activities for the students to do. A bookmark table, a Picture frame table, a reef table, Halloween contest, and Escape room. There was a refreshment table with light snacks. The students and staff had a wonderful time. Though the VP of the Downtown Campus was excited about the Escape rooms, she had no fun dying while trying to survive. At 12:30 pm the VP of Downtown Campus set up a turbo vote table. On October 30, 2024, The VP of The Downtown Campus met with MCC Foundation as they wanted to extend a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the Salute to Excellence on November 14, 2024. Later that day the VP of the Downtown Campus set up the Turbo Vote table at 12:00 pm on the second floor of the Downtown Campus. At 1:00 pm the VP of the Downtown Campus met with the Criminal Justice Club President, and Treasurer. There was a discussion about being a club that offers accessibility for all students who want to join their club and be an official in it. On November 4th, 2024, The VP of The Downtown Campus set up a table for Turbo Vote at 12:00-1:00 pm at the Downtown Campus. Later the VP met with two students to help them better understand the resources that. Further, as a representative for the student’s voices at the Downtown Campus made a promise to continue to be the mic to the voices of all those whose voices aren’t heard. Being a student leader is not for show and tell. It is about being in a position that reflects the change you want to make in that position. In the VP of The Downtown Campus will always fight for equal opportunities, voices, and quality for the Downtown Campus students. On November 6th, 2024, The VP of The Downtown Campus set up a table for Turbo Vote at 12:00-1:00 pm at the Downtown Campus. At 1:00 pm a student came up to the VP requesting an event that brings awareness about Epilepsy. So, the VP took the student over to Mary Geisert in the Office of Student Life and Leadership to discuss further actions.

  4. Treasurer Demir

    Treasurer Demir has no report this week.

  5. Secretary of Governance Deisenroth

    Good afternoon. On Monday, October 28th, Secretary Deisenroth assisted PTK at their Spooktober Fest. She helped sign people in to the event. On Wednesday, October 30th and November 6th, she attended the Peace Committee meetings, and their Ukraine Event is coming together. Secretary Deisenroth is working on the pamphlet for the event as well. On November 5th, she also attended the Election Night Watch Party. Thank you.

  6. Chief of Staff Krieger

    Chief of Staff Krieger has no report this week.

  7. Historian Tran

    Historian Tran has no report this week.

  8. Health & Wellness Senator Wrobeh

    Hello everyone. These past two weeks Senator Wrobeh worked met with the COS committee to discuss plans for future presentations in COS classes. Senator Wrobeh also met with club connect to discuss the Thanksgiving themed Club and Orgs meeting. Lastly, Senator Wrobeh attended the successful election watch night party. It was very well put together and informational

  9. Veterans Senator Sanchez

    On Sunday, October 27th, Veteran Senator Sanchez attended the Honor Flight at the Rochester Airport with the President of the Veterans Club, ChaCha Guerrero, and Lori Bartkovich from Financial Aid. Veteran Senator Sanchez is pleased to report that it was another amazing and heartwarming homecoming for the Honor Flight, with many veterans expressing their gratitude to those cheering and waving signs. Veteran Senator Sanchez and President Guerrero were able to greet Eric Wheeler while he was escorting the veteran he was assigned to accompany on the trip. Both were later greeted and thanked by the veteran’s wife, who explained that her husband would be smiling and talking about the welcome home from everyone for days. On Tuesday, October 29th, Veteran Senator Sanchez attended a Veterans Club meeting and shared details about the Honor Flight with members who were unable to attend. The club also discussed future plans for recruitment and ideas for fundraising. On Wednesday October 30th Veteran Senator Sanchez met with the COS committee to go over the final corrections to the presentation. On Tuesday, November 5th, Veteran Senator Sanchez met with Eric Wheeler from Veteran Services to discuss the upcoming Veterans Day ceremony. Veteran Senator Sanchez then attended a short Veterans Club meeting, where members discussed how their semesters were going. Later that same day, Veteran Senator Sanchez attended the Election Night Watch Party with other members of the SGA, engaging with several students and professors as they watched the stressful and emotional election unfold. A shout-out to President Romero for his impressive interview and to the SGA team for putting together another great watch party.

  10. Student Relations Senator Simba

    Two weeks ago, Student Relations Senator Simba met with the COS committee to address minor corrections in the COS presentation slides. During the meeting, he also discussed plans for the presentation rehearsal and outlined how the presentations would be conducted. Senator Simba extends a shout-out to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Senator Small for her outstanding work on the presentation materials and tabling setup for Adoptees Awareness Month events. On November 5th, 2024, Senator Simba, along with most members of the SGA, hosted an Election Results Watch Party at the Brighton campus. The event was a great success, drawing an impressive turnout of students. Attendees enjoyed a lively atmosphere with fun decorations and various games, including Jenga, Uno, and Scribble. The event also served as a valuable platform for student engagement, fostering thoughtful discussions about the elections and politics. Senator Simba extends his thanks to the SGA team for organizing such a fun and engaging event.

  11. Diversity Senator Small

    On Monday, October 28th, Elisabeth Small attended in costume, PTK’s Spooktober Fest. This event was a great way to feature multiple clubs and organizations and had a great turnout. On Wednesday, October 30th, Elisabeth attended an event featuring fiction writer and reporter for the Wall Street Journal, Vauhini Vara. Her discussion was insightful and inspiring. On Thursday, October 31st, Elisabeth met with President Romero and Chief of Staff Krieger for a Culture Alliance meeting to discuss the event planning for Adoption Awareness month. On Friday, November 1st, Elisabeth met with President Romero to complete room reservations. Elisabeth and Culture Alliance are excited to welcome our guest panelists including SUNY SA VP Jae Fish and as of Friday, November 1st, L.A. Times Book Prize & Eisner-Nominated Comic Artist, Writer, and Colorist, Sarah Myer, who just released Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story. On Thursday, November 7th, Elisabeth met with Culture Alliance to finalize the posters, fliers, dinner, and tabling information for Adoption Awareness Month panel discussion and dinner and tabling. Later that day, Elisabeth, President Romero, and Senator Simba started tabling to bring awareness to Adoptees for Justice, the Alliance for Adoptee Citizenship, and the Adoptee Citizenship Act with over fifty signatures so far. Elisabeth would like to give a big shoutout to Culture Alliance for all they have done for Adoption Awareness month. Thank you everyone. On Friday, November 8th, Elisabeth met with Club Connect to discuss the progress for the next Club and Organization meeting. This will be a great Fall & Thanksgiving theme with games, activities, and fun facts to be shared at the event.

  12. Student Trustee Leichtner

    Student Trustee Leichtner has no report this week.

  13. Residence Hall Senator Cole
    Good afternoon everyone, Last Wednesday, October 30th, the COS Committee held another meeting to review the slideshow and discuss information regarding upcoming classroom visits. On Monday, November 11th and November 12th, Senator Cole and President Romero participated in news interviews related to the presidential election and the voting process. On the same day, we hosted our Election Night Watch Party, where Senator Cole assisted with the setup and attended alongside many fellow SGA members. We had a large turnout overall, and attendees had the opportunity to predict the outcomes of each state. Senator Cole believes this was our best event yet.
  14. Downtown Campus Senator Curry
    Downtown Campus Senator Curry has no report this week.
  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. Motion to Add the Resolution for the Funding Request for Disability Awareness Club

      Resolved, The Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved the motion to add the funding request for Disability Awareness Club.
      Vice President of Governance Crimmins called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Small so moved, seconded by Senator Simba.
      Discussion: The Disability Awareness 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 motion to add the funding request for Disability Awareness Club effective November 12th, 2024, at Monroe Community College.Resolution to Approve the Funding Request for Mapping Club

    2. Resolved, The Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved
      the reinstatement of YDSA
      Resolved, The Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved the funding request for Mapping Club.
      Vice President of Governance Crimmins called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Cole so moved, seconded by Senator Wrobeh.
      Discussion: The Mapping 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 Mapping Club effective November 12th, 2024, at Monroe Community College.
    3. Resolution to Approve the Funding Request for Disability Awareness Club
      Resolved, The Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved the funding request for Disability Awareness Club.
      Vice President of Governance Crimmins called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Wrobeh so moved, seconded by Senator Ryan.
      Discussion: The Disability Awareness 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 Disability Awareness Club effective November 12th, 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 2:44 pm.

Executive Session

Respectfully submitted,
Tehya Deisenroth
Secretary of Governance