2025-10-28 SGA Senate Meeting Minutes

October 28, 2025

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

In Attendance

Student Senators

  • Senator Maddilyn Keech
  • Senator Elle Reeves
  • Senator Abigail Pottinger
  • Senator John Breedy
  • Senator Rusty Smetanyak

President

  • Lisa Burno

Vice President of Governance

  • Margherita Rizzuti

Secretary of Governance

  • Hajer Enaami

Student Trustee

  • Parker Werven

Office of Student Life

  • Advisor: Jodi Oriel
  • Faculty Advisor: Mark Sample

Visitors

  • Dana Williams – MCC Student
  • Ginny Geer-Mentry – MCC Association
  • Courtney Wimar – Community Relations
  • Veronica Chiesi Brown – Community Relations
  • Ryan Messenger – Academic & Student Affairs
  • Alayna Smith – Spanish Club
  • Rollo Fisher – Student Music Association Advisor
  • Maddilynn Keech (online) – SGA Health & Wellness Senator

Minutes

Call to Order (2:15 pm)

  1. Roll Call (see attendance above)
    Vice President of Governance Rizzuti called for a roll call to start the senate meeting.
  2. Land Acknowledgement
  3. Approval of Minutes
    1. Vice President of Governance Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the October 21, 2025, Student Government Association Minutes
    2. Senator Breedy moved, seconded by Senator Reeves
    3. A vote was taken
    4. Be it resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the October 21, 2025, minutes as written

Protocol for Student Government Association Tuesday Meeting – President Jalisia Burno

Before proceeding to the Speak to the Senate portion of the agenda, the Student Government Association (SGA) hereby establishes the following protocol, to be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

  1. The Chair, Vice President Rizzuti, shall recognize each individual prior to speaking. Only those who have been recognized will be permitted to address the assembly.
  2. Both Student Government Association members and Senate members will be afforded the opportunity to speak, provided they have been duly recognized by the Chair.
  3. All participants shall:
    • Engage in active listening;
    • Remain on topic; and
    • Communicate in a respectful and professional manner.
  4. We ask that you continue to be respectful of the meeting protocol

Speak to the Senate

  • Ryan Messenger spoke about SNAP benefits and how MCC will be working with students to help provide support to those that will be losing the benefits coming up in the next month.

Reports

  1. President Burno

    No report for this week

  2. Vice President of Governance Rizzuti

    This week was very productive and full of meaningful experiences. On Tuesday, October 21, I attended the Clubs and Organizations meeting, where I had the chance to see the amazing work being done by our Clubs and Organizations Senators, Reeves and Pottinger, who did an outstanding job leading and supporting the clubs on campus. On Wednesday, October 23, I attended both the MCCA Operations and Personnel Committee Meeting and the MCCA Board Meeting, which provided valuable insight into college operations and leadership decisions that impact the MCC community. Later in the week, on Thursday, October 24, I attended the Veterans Club program at the Forum, which was a wonderful opportunity to engage with and show support for the veterans on campus. Throughout the week, I also remained actively involved with the First Year Experience (FYE) program, continuing to assist with their ongoing efforts to connect and support new students. In addition, a few members of our SGA team participated in an interview this week, continuing to represent MCC and the student body with professionalism and enthusiasm. Overall, it was a productive and inspiring week filled with teamwork, leadership, and pride in representing both Monroe Community College and the Student Government Association.

  3. Secretary of Governance Enaami

    This week, Secretary Enaami had one eventful and productive week. Most of her time was spent with the Muslim Student Association during their Charity Week…an initiative that supports humanitarian causes around the world. The week was filled with activities such as henna upstairs in the Terrace, bracelet and jewelry sales, cupcakes, and many more creative fundraising efforts. In addition, on Tuesday, October 1st, Secretary Enaami and a few team members participated in a second interview with a potential candidate. Right after that, she attended the monthly meeting organized by Clubs and Organizations Senators Reeves and Pottinger, who did an excellent job creating a fun and engaging environment. Overall, it was a busy and rewarding week for Secretary Enaami.

  4. Student Trustee Werven
    It was a quieter week on my end when it comes to student government, however the student-to-student communication committee team and I have been working hard to design posters and any other finishing touches to the survey and outreach. We’ve sent out our feedback and are now waiting a few short days for the survey to be ADA compliant, so all students have the opportunity to participate in the survey and win prizes. On Friday the 24th, it was great to hear that Dr. Gant had two successful diversity conferences on campus which many of us on SGA were able to attend. Huge congrats to the men’s soccer team for finishing their regular season with an unbeatable record of 11-0-2. To cap off, I look forward to the rest of the week as a whole, but Friday is also Halloween! Be safe, make smart choices and those of you that have kids… this is the one day where they can break some of the most important rules that you’ve ever taught them. Talk to strangers and take candy from strangers. Stick around after the Senate meeting if you have any questions for me or the team
  5. Clubs and Organizations Senator Pottinger

    Hello everyone, this week was a very productive one filled with collaboration, learning, and community engagement. On October 20th, I attended the Finance Committee meeting where we discussed ongoing financial planning for the semester. The following day, October 21st, I co-hosted the Clubs and Organizations Meeting alongside Club Senator Reeves. It was a successful meeting where all the clubs gave updates on what they have accomplished over the past month and shared their upcoming plans for the next.  On October 22nd, I participated in a Campus Cleanup program hosted by Resident Assistant Gordon. President Bruno and Club Senator Reeves also participated in the event. The cleanup took place around the residence halls and was a great opportunity to help out and contribute to maintaining a clean and welcoming campus environment.  On October 23rd, I attended the Association Board Meeting, where we reviewed current initiatives and discussed campus updates. On October 24th, I attended the Diversity Conference with President Bruno and Club Senator Reeves. The event featured experts, advocates, and community members sharing insights and personal stories that enhanced our understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community. It was a great opportunity to learn, listen, and expand my knowledge on diversity and inclusion. Later that day, I also attended the SWE and STEM Club Fall Festival. The event had a wonderful turnout and featured fun, hands-on activities such as making invisible ink and attempting to light up a pumpkin. Overall, this week provided many opportunities to connect with others, learn, and contribute to the campus community. 

  6. Student Life Advisor Oriel

    First and foremost, thank you very much for representing the Student Government and the student body at the University conference, for those of you that could attend.  I saw a lot of social media posts, and I saw some familiar faces on there, so thank you so much for doing that.  I want to congratulate the Muslim Student Association on their charity week.  They had wonderful events, for a good cause and you guys did a great job.  I also attended the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Regional Conference and had an opportunity to meet some of our new PTK officers, I encourage you to meet them.  They are very interested in helping Student Government with the student-to-student communication survey and helping us distribute it. And registration, I believe opened yesterday, right?  So please make sure to get your classes in for the spring, especially those that are graduating and getting ready to transfer, so that you can have a really good schedule.  And I want to congratulate Lisa on doing such a great job at the dessert social yesterday, and those that asked questions.  I think the President really enjoyed, number one your heartfelt introduction and also those very thoughtful and funny questions.  That was definitely enlightening.  I think she had a good time with you, so thank you for that.  That’s my report.

New Business

Vice President Rizzuti asked for a motion to add the Tabletop resolution to the agenda.  Senator Reeves so moved, seconded by Senator Breedy

  1. Resolution to approve the funding request of $78 for the Criminal Justice Club

    Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the funding request of $78 for Criminal Justice Club

    Vice President of Governance Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Reeves.

    Discussion: Criminal Justice Club has completed and met the requirements set forth by the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life and Leadership.

    A vote was taken, and the resolution passed.

    Be it resolved, the senate present and voting hereby approves the funding request for Criminal Justice Club, effective October 28, 2025 at Monroe Community College

  2. Resolution to approve the funding request of $300 for the Spanish Club

    Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the funding request of $300 for the Spanish Club

    Vice President of Governance Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Reeves so moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak.

    Discussion: The Spanish Club has completed and met the requirements set forth by the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life and Leadership.

    A vote was taken, and the resolution passed.

    Be it resolved, the senate present and voting hereby approves the funding request for the Spanish Club, effective October 28, 2025 at Monroe Community College

  3. Resolution to approve the amendments to the Theatre Troupe Constitution

    Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the amendments to the Theatre Troupe Constitution

    Vice President of Governance Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak.

    Discussion: The Theatre Troupe has completed and met the requirements set forth by the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life and Leadership.

    A vote was taken, and the resolution passed.

    Be it resolved, the senate present and voting hereby approves the amendments to the Theatre Troupe constitution, effective October 28, 2025 at Monroe Community College

  4. Resolution to approve the funding request of $336.54 for the Tabletop Club

    Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the funding request of $336.54 for Tabletop Club

    Vice President of Governance Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Pottinger.

    Discussion: Criminal Justice Club has completed and met the requirements set forth by the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Life and Leadership.

    A vote was taken, and the resolution passed.

    Be it resolved, the senate present and voting hereby approves the funding request Tabletop Club, effective October 28, 2025 at Monroe Community College

  5. Aaron Furtner – Interim General Manager and Executive chef of Sodexo Dining Services
    announced the new General Manager John Williams will start at MCC on November 15th.  There will also be a new Executive Chef starting around Thanksgiving break week.  They will have some new stations and now will offer some halal chicken.  They’ve been working with Nazareth to help partner and share staff due to shortages as well as to curb some spending here.  They will be developing a survey to see what the students might want added to Deja Brew, the Marketplace and 321 Downtown.  Aaron then answered some questions from the audience.

Discussion Items

  1. There were no discussion items

Old Business

  1. There was no old business.

Questions and Comments

  1. Raqad thanked everyone for their contributions to Charity Week. She also thanked Aaron for working to bring food options for the Muslim Students
  2. Due to an SGA voting officer attending this meeting online, please find the recording to this meeting as per instructed.

Adjournment

  1. Vice President of Governance Rizzuti called for a motion for adjournment.
    Senator Breedy so moved, second by Senator Reeves
  2. Meeting was adjourned at 3:00 pm.

Executive Session

Respectfully submitted