2024-11-19 SGA Senate Meeting Minutes

November 19, 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
• Jae Fish – SUNY SA
• Mandie McGinnis – MCC Alumni
• Elizabeth Tackitt – MCC Student – YDSA
• James Turek – MCC Student – YDSA
• David Mills – MCC Student – Theater Troupe
• Heather Chang – MCC Faculty – Theater Troupe Advisor
• Rollo Fisher – MCC Faculty – SMA Advisor
• Ginny Geer-Mentry – MCC Association

Minutes

Call to Order (2:18 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 November 12, 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 November 12, 2024 minutes as written.

Speak to the Senate

1. Treasurer Demir – Financial Report
   Treasurer Demir presented a report on SGA’s contingency account and what money we have spent thus far in the semester.
2. MCC Champion – Patricia Kress
   Student Dana Williams presented Professor Patricia Kress with an MCC Champion certificate due to Professor Kress’s kindness and intelligence.
3. MCC Champion – Heather Chang
   Student David Mills presented Professor Heather Chang with an MCC Champion certificate due to Professor Chang being a huge inspiration, role model and mentor to her students.
4. Ryan Messenger –
   Ryan Messenger congratulated SGA on our civic engagement award at the SUNY SA Conference.
5. Ginny Geer-Mentry – 
   Ginny Geer-Mentry let us know that residence halls have started tutoring in the Canal Hall conference room.
6. Jae Fish – 
   Jae Fish wanted to thank us for inviting him to our Senate meeting today and congratulated us on our work to receive the civic engagement award.

Reports

1. President Romero
   

   On Thursday, November 7th, and Tuesday, November 12th, President Romero tabled on the terrace for Adoptees for Justice and to spread awareness of Adoptees Awareness Month along with Student Relations Senator Simba, Diversity Senator Smalls, and Chief of Staff Krieger. Everyone in the Culture Alliance and SGA helped gather signatures from community members for the Adoptee Citizen Act. They also got students and faculty members to sign up to attend the November 19th Adoptee Awareness Panel Discussion. Later that day, President Romero helped with the Model United Nations interviews with the MCC NMUN Search Committee. On Wednesday, November 13th, President Romero met with the COS Committee, which included Veteran Senator Sanchez and Residence Hall Senator Cole, to finalize the SGA presentation they plan to present at the COS classes. They will also contact the technology department to help record a video of their presentation for online COS classes. This same day, President Romero, Vice President Crimmins, Residence Hall Senator Cole, Diversity Senator Smalls, and Global Education Coordinator Christina Lee held a meeting to plan on discussing how they would finalize their presentation for the SUNY Student Assembly Fall Conference, and they helped Senator Cole prepare for it. My team presented on this at the SUNY SA Conference, and they all did a fantastic job. After this, he met with the Peace Committee to plan what they would work on in the future and find dates to meet up again before the semester ends. They would find new dates to set up for the next event revolving around the Ukraine-Russia War and find more time to plan it out so it could leave a much more significant impact. On Thursday, November 14th, President Romero met with Culture Alliance to finalize the November 19th Panel & Dinner discussion. They made sure the rooms were all set, everyone had access to Zoom Links, equipment was good to go, and poster boards were printed for the event. After this, President Romero would table again for Adoptees for justice. Later that night, President Romero helped volunteer at the Salute to Excellence Dinner with Vice President of the Downtown Campus Loritea Ellis. Salute to Excellence is an annual event that celebrates the achievements of MCC and its alums. He helped with coat checks and greeted everyone who came in. He met up with a few members of the SGA Team and other members of the MCC Community. Once the event started, he would hear remarks from President Dr Burt Nanna and see all of the four MCC alum inductees who were inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame class of 2024. Before each inductee was presented with their plague, they played a video of each alumnus being introduced by students in the 2024-2025 Impact Report. Along with those were Loritea Ellis, who introduced Michael Mandina; Camilo Ocasio, who introduced Kimberly Gaylord; Susan Elizabeth Graham, who introduced Tashanda Thomas; and Angelo Romero, who introduced Sheila Strong. After they were presented with their award, they heard from MCC Student Evan Elixman, who gave an inspirational speech that inspired President Romero, among many others. Lastly, Tom Battley, James Sydor, and Richard Nasca were honored as Salute to Excellence honorees. From Friday, November 15th to Sunday, November 17th, President Romero attended the SUNY Student Assembly Fall Conference in Syracuse, New York, alongside other SGA members, Student Life Advisor Jodi Oriel, and Faculty Advisor Mark Sample. The first night, the team would hear reports from the SUNY SA Executive Team about updates happening in SUNY SA. There were talks about traveling to different campuses, and Treasurer Adjoh reviewed the Financial Report. They would also hear from the Student Voices, Government Relations, and Public Relations Team. After this, President Romero attended the SGA Presidents meeting, where all SGA Presidents from different campuses led a discussion about issues like food insecurities, campus safety, freedom of speech, and the Student Activity Fee. SUNY SA President Gio Harvey led this discussion, and it was a great discussion. The next day, President Romero attended the business meeting where he was a voting delegate representing MCC. Still, he also helped with the meeting as he was on the rules committee. He would take notes throughout the meeting alongside his colleagues AG/Tech Representative Albert Ostermann, Senior Advisor Bailey Wadsworth, and Community College Representatives Joseph Byrne and Crystal Robinson Hicks. Business items discussed were resolutions such as calling on Congress to support federal protection for children of long-term visa holders. Another resolution was encouraging and spreading the word to all 64 campuses to look into a mental health organization called Active Minds. The third resolution was to affirm the SUNY Student Assembly’s commitment to advocating for the continued operation of the University Hospital of Brooklyn called Downstate University. The last was an increased cap on the Student Activities Fee and Referendum Changes. This resolution recommends increasing the cap of the Student Activities Fee, extending the frequency of the referendum on this fee to every four years, and ensuring improved communication about the referendum process—all of the resolutions passed in the General Assembly meeting. After the business meeting, everyone attended Chancellor John King Jr’s remarks, and students could ask him questions and ask what the future of higher education would be after the 2024 election. His remarks were great. Afterward, President Romero attended breakout sessions revolving around learning to advocate for student issues from Brennan Gorman and SUNY SA policy mapping, where President Romero worked alongside students from Stony Brook University and Cayuga Community College on improving Civic engagement. Then, he attended a session where Aaron Woodman talked about using the values of citizenship to be great leaders. Throughout the conference, he met up with the schools he represented, like Corning Community College, Cayuga Community College, and Suffolk Community College, where he did group photos with them. At the night’s end, all schools attended the 50th Anniversary Dinner Celebration for the SUNY Student Assembly. The SUNY SA presented five awards during this dinner, and he is proud to announce that Monroe Community College won the Civic Engagement Award for all of its hard work throughout the academic year, such as promoting to students the importance of voting and addressing concerns in the community. He is so very proud of the whole SGA team, and every one of them made it all happen. Overall, this conference was amazing, and a huge shoutout to SUNY SA for planning this.

2. Vice President of Governance Crimmins
   

   Since the last meeting, Vice President Crimmins attended a Faculty Senate meeting on Thursday November 14th, where Residence Hall Senator and future Vice President Elizabeth Cole sat with her as well, and where VP Crimmins talked about committee updates and events, especially with Culture Alliance and their Adoption awareness Month tabling and Panel/Dinner today at 12-1pm and 5-7:30pm. Speaking of the Adoption Awareness Dinner event, VP Crimmins will be helping with the event by checking people in, and advertising the petition to instill the Adoptees Citizenship Act of 2024 in my classes and getting classmates signatures. [let’s take a moment to celebrate all of the hard work Culture Alliance has done since its formation at the start of the semester, done so much work already, can see change already happening]. Next, she along with almost every member of SGA attended the SUNY Student Assembly Conference from the 15th through the 17th where we celebrated SUNY SA’s 50th anniversary and VP Crimmins finally got to be voting delegate after wanting to be one during last semesters conference when she was secretary. At this conference, there were many workshops we could attend relating to effective leadership and specifically remembers one titled “”, hosted by [], where [] presented interesting and the more hidden psychological aspects of being a leader and understanding influence. He had a great and fun personality and gave out fidgets-that were in another room- to everyone who wanted one and she thinks that it showed- you don’t have to always be super serious and that’s part of everyone’s individual leadership style and qualities. [that wasn’t the point of the presentation but] it still relates because the personality you have and actions you take, are part of your influence, and she feels no one should feel they need to fit in a cookie cutter of other good leaders, to be their own version of a good leader. For the dinner on Saturday, she thought it was great to see everyone all dressed up and at this dinner, MCC amazingly won an award for our efforts in civic engagement which was shown through our TurboVote tabling, getting people registered to vote since the start of the semester, our high-turnout election watch parties, including the presidential, vice presidential, and election night party watching the polls and doing activities. There is so much we have done already and although it’s been hard at times, VP Crimmins doesn’t doubt for a second the potential in our team. Thank you to those at SUNY SA for seeing our efforts and celebrating them with us [clap]. [That’s all for my report,] thank you.

3. Vice President of Downtown Ellis
   

   On November 14, 2024, Vice President of The Downtown Campus Ellis agreed to volunteer at the MCC Foundation’s 33rd Annual Salute to Excellence on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 East Main Street, Rochester with set up. The VP felt like it was a wonderful experience to see some of her fellow SGA peers, and non- profit organizations she has worked with. There at the event to support and celebrate the new alumni members. On November 18, 2024, Vice President of The Downtown Campus Ellis The VP of the Downtown Campus joined the Disability Awareness Club for its 3rd Annual Fall Social Event at the Downtown Campus, High Falls A&B, on Monday that was held from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Being able to get to relax, and creative with the fall-themed crafts. There the VP met with two other SGA members who participated in the highlight talents at the lively karaoke session. Capturing memories with the fabulous photos taking with friends. While enjoying delicious food waffles, chicken, home fries, fruit platter, snacks and much more! It was great to not only help plan this event but help with set up and mingle amongst peers. VP would say that they had about 50 people in total who showed up and supported.

4. Treasurer Demir
   

   This week, Treasurer Demir is pleased to report that the Club Connect team has been hard at work preparing for today’s Thanksgiving-themed Clubs and Orgs meeting. A special shoutout goes to Senator Small for her outstanding efforts in making this event a success—her hard work is greatly appreciated. We’re excited and ready to host today’s meeting and can’t wait to see everyone come together to share updates and celebrate thanksgiving together.

5. Secretary of Governance Deisenroth
   

   Good afternoon. On Wednesday, November 13th, Secretary Deisenroth attended the Peace Committee meeting. We decided that we are going to have our Ukraine event next semester in order to have more time to prepare. From November 15th to November 17th, Secretary Deisenroth attended the SUNY SA conference in Syracuse along with other SGA members. She attended many workshops, including ones such as Campus to Capitol, which explained advocacy and how to get your ideas to top government officials, and the presentation by Christina Lee, President Romero, VP Crimmins, and Senator Cole. Senator Cole and Christina Lee did a wonderful job presenting! During and after the presentation, she got to talk to other SGA members from other SUNY schools regarding the Peace Committee and what we do. Secretary Deisenroth also attended the General Assembly meetings and heard about the new legislature in SUNY schools. Our SGA also won the award for civic engagement, and she wants to congratulate everyone for their hard work and dedication to receive that award. The conference was very fun, and she learned a lot about team building and patience. SGA also celebrated VP Crimmins birthday on Sunday, November 17th. Lastly, she wants to congratulate Senator Small and the Culture Alliance Committee on their undying hard work, and she knows that the Adoptee Awareness event is going to be a huge success. Thank you..

6. Chief of Staff Krieger
   

   SUNY SA Convention Participation Over the weekend, Liam Krieger, along with other members of the Student Government Association (SGA), attended the SUNY SA Convention. During the event, Liam participated in workshops that focused on the significance of diversity and inclusion on college campuses. These sessions underscored the importance of representation and its role in fostering a welcoming and equitable environment for all students. The knowledge gained from these workshops will support SGA’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity across campus. Collaboration with Cultural Alliance and WMCC Liam has been collaborating closely with the Cultural Alliance and WMCC to organize an event scheduled for Tuesday. This event will feature a panel discussion highlighting the hardships, adversities, and unique insights associated with adoption lifestyles. Panelists will share their personal experiences, aiming to educate and engage attendees in meaningful dialogue on this topic. Disability Awareness Club Fall Event On Monday, Liam attended the Disability Awareness Club’s Fall Event. The gathering provided an opportunity for students and staff, including Ms. Ellis, to come together and build connections. The event featured karaoke and an array of delicious food, fostering a lively and inclusive atmosphere while raising awareness about disabilities on campus.

7. Historian Tran
   

   Historian Tran went to SUNY Student Assembly Fall General Assembly Conference on Friday November 15th through the 17th. MCC had won the Civic engagement award out of the 50+ SUNY Colleges. Historian Tran also wishes Vice President Crimmins Happy Birthday as he forgot to say it Sunday, November 17.

8. Health & Wellness Senator Wrobeh
   

   Hello everyone. This past week Senator Wrobeh drafted a funding request for Mapping Club. On Thursday November 14th, Senator Wrobeh, alongside several other SGA members attended the Salute to Excellence dinner where many MCC alumni were honored for their accomplishments in the community. It was a very inspirational night. During the weekend of November 15th to the 17th, Senator Wrobeh attended her first SUNY Student Assembly Conference. The most eventful day was Saturday, where there were several workshops and seminars to help improve student leadership. Senator Wrobeh would like to commend Senator Lizzie for an outstanding job in her presentation with Christina Lee about creating a sense of belonging on campus. Later that night was the SUNY SA 50th anniversary celebration dinner, where MCC’s Student Government Association won an award for the hard work towards voter registration on campus. Senator Wrobeh is very proud of this team and honored to be a part of it. This weekend was an amazing experience, and she is excited to attend the spring conference.

9. Veterans Senator Sanchez
   

   On Monday, November 11th, Veterans Senator Sanchez attended a lunch with a few members of the Veterans Club in celebration of Veterans Day. On Tuesday, November 12th, Veterans Senator Sanchez attended the Veterans Day ceremony where he gave a speech aimed to remind the audience just how much is sacrificed and to be thankful every day, not just on Veterans Day. On Wednesday, November 13th, Veterans Senator Sanchez attended another COS meeting where the team got everything in order and ready for a presentation. On Friday, November 15th, Veterans Senator Sanchez set off with the majority of the SGA team to the 50th Anniversary SUNY SA Conference. Enjoying a lovely ride to Syracuse with the team and enjoying some Shake Shack with Chief of Staff Krieger. After arriving at the hotel and getting settled, Veterans Senator Sanchez and the rest of the SGA checked in and enjoyed a nice welcoming dinner. After the dinner, Veterans Senator Sanchez’s room was ready, and he was able to shower and relax. Veterans Senator Sanchez and Chief of Staff Krieger had a good time exchanging stories and talking about life as they watched the sad excuse of a fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. On Saturday, November 16th, Veterans Senator Sanchez met with the rest of the SGA team for breakfast. After breakfast, the team attended a breakout session hosted by MCC’s Christina Lee and Elizabeth Cole, who both did an outstanding job presenting cultural responsiveness and how it brings a sense of belonging to campus. Shortly after, when the business meeting had concluded, the SGA team met back up for lunch. Being Veterans Senator Sanchez’s first-ever SUNY SA conference, he was pleased to learn how the whole system functions and see what all the hype President Romero was talking about. He was not disappointed. Later that day, Veterans Senator Sanchez and the SGA team attended the 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, where they received the Civic Engagement Award for all their hard work with TurboVote, the watch parties, and other events where they engaged students and encouraged them to get active and participate in voting. Veterans Senator Sanchez is very proud of the team and is grateful to have been a part of this wonderful experience with everyone. After the dinner, Veterans Senator Sanchez and a few others stayed and danced with other members of SUNY SA, laughing and dancing until the music stopped. On Sunday, November 17th, Veterans Senator Sanchez met with the team for breakfast, where the SUNY Chancellor zoomed in and gave those in attendance some updates and answered some concerns of students. After the Chancellor, New York State Senator Rachel May came and spoke on the importance of the younger generation picking up the torch and advocating for the changes they believe in. Veterans Senator Sanchez’s biggest takeaway from the conference was just how important and widespread the work all SGAs do and how far-reaching the advocacy the SGA does truly is.

10. Student Relations Senator Simba
    

    On November 14th, Senator Simba met with the Cultural Alliance to discuss the final steps and preparations for the upcoming events on November 19th. On Friday, November 15th, Senator Simba, along with fellow members of the Student Government Association (SGA), traveled to Syracuse for the three-day SUNY Student Assembly Conference and 50-Year Celebration. At the conference, Senator Simba reconnected with individuals he had previously met at SUNY Student Assembly events and enjoyed catching up. He also built new connections through active participation and networking. Senator Simba attended an engaging breakout session led by MCC’s Dr. Christa Grant and Senator Cole. During this session, Senator Simba, alongside Secretary of Governance Tehya Deisenroth, shared insights on how the SGA at MCC has effectively utilized the Peace Committee and the Cultural Alliance to foster inclusivity and collaboration on campus. Additionally, Residence Hall Senator Cole highlighted the ways the SGA at MCC, and its clubs and organizations promote inclusivity through their events and operations. A significant highlight of the conference was the MCC SGA being recognized with the prestigious SUNY Student Assembly President’s Award for Civic Engagement. This honor reflects MCC’s SGA’s hard work and dedication to promoting civic engagement during this election year.

11. Diversity Senator Small
    

    On Tuesday, November 12th, Elisabeth Small tabled with President Romero for Adoptees for Justice and Alliance for Adoptee Citizenship. Later that day, Elisabeth met with Club Connect to finalize the Thanksgiving/Fall themed Clubs and Organization meeting. On Wednesday, November 13th, Elisabeth met with President Romero, Vice President Crimmins, Senator Cole, and Christina Lee to discuss the SUNY SA presentation. On Thursday, November 14th, Elisabeth met with Culture Alliance to finalize details for the Adoption Awareness Panel Discussion and Dinner on Tuesday, November 19th. Later that day Elisabeth met with Natasha Chen to work on questions for the panelists. On Friday, November 15th and Sunday, November 17th, Elisabeth met with President Romero to go over the structure of the event. Additionally on Friday, November 15th, Elisabeth sent the final structure and questions to the panelists for the Adoption Awareness Panel Discussion and Dinner.

12. Student Trustee Leichtner
    

    Student Trustee Leichtner has no report this week.

13. Residence Hall Senator Cole
    Since my last report on Tuesday, November 12th, Senator Cole helped table an initiative for Adoptee Awareness Month, with Senator Simba assisting in spreading awareness about the Adoptee Awareness Act. On Wednesday, November 13th, she met with Christina Lee to discuss the slideshow on the sense of belonging that they were presenting at the SUNY SA Conference. This slideshow was created through great collaboration among Diversity Senator Small, Vice President Crimmins, and President Romero. On Thursday, November 14th, she attended the Salute to Excellence event, which was a wonderful sponsorship opportunity to celebrate and commemorate some of our outstanding MCC alumni who have gone on to achieve great things in the community. I sat at a table with many other student leaders and it was also a great networking opportunity. There was also a very delightful dinner. On Friday, we left for the SUNY SA Conference, which lasted from Friday to Sunday. On Saturday, she and Christina Lee had the pleasure of presenting the sense of belonging slideshow during one of the sessions at the conference, attended by many SGA members and faculty. They discussed the perspective of student leaders on the sense of belonging and how MCC’s diverse clubs and programs can foster that sense for students. The session had a great turnout and received positive feedback. Throughout the weekend, she attended many other sessions, but one that stood out to her focused on holistic well-being, a topic that was new to Senator Cole. She learned how to incorporate this approach into everything she does and about the multidimensional aspects of well-being, how it impacts individuals, and how to recognize it for improvement. Overall, this conference provided excellent bonding opportunities with the majority of the team. She thoroughly enjoyed attending the conference with everyone and looks forward to the next one, having learned and experienced many things, making new connections with many other student leaders that in all will lead to new opportunities for her.
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. Resolution to Approve the Funding Request for Black Student Union
      

      Resolved, The Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved the funding request for Black Student Union.
      Vice President of Governance Crimmins called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Simba so moved, seconded by Senator Cole.
      Discussion: The Black Student Union 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 Black Student Union effective November 19th, 2024, at Monroe Community College.

   2. Resolution to Approve the Funding Request for Young Democratic Socialists of America
      Resolved, The Monroe Community College Student Government Association approved the funding request for Young Democratic Socialists of America.
      Vice President of Governance Crimmins called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Wrobeh so moved, seconded by Senator Small.
      Discussion: The Young Democratic Socialists of America 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 Young Democratic Socialists of America effective November 19th, 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 Sanchez so moved, second by Senator Simba
2. Meeting was adjourned at 3:15 pm.

Executive Session

Respectfully submitted,
Tehya Deisenroth
Secretary of Governance