2025-11-18 SGA Senate Meeting Minutes

November 18, 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
  • Veronica Chiesi Brown, Community Relations
  • Courtney Weimar, Community Relations
  • Ryan Messenger,  Academic & Student Affairs
  • Leslie Greenwood, MCC Student
  • Audre Schoof, SWE+Stem
  • Angie Nassar, MCC alumni
  • Tamara Walker, Faculty
  • April Daniels, Faculty
  • Cory Maltsev, MCC student
  • Chloe Allen, Student Life
  • Gary Johnson, ASA
  • Elijah Knapp, Pride Alliance
  • JMZ Architects

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 November 4, 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 November 4, 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

Name of Architechs

  • The Architechs presented the Master Plan for the college. The presentation included blueprints which highlighted the changes for the campus. The Master Plan recommendations drew a few questions from the SGA officers and the audience.
  • Quent Rhodes, Facilities Associate Vice President explained that the plan is contingent upon funding and is flexible. We do not have funding at this time.
  • Leslie Greenword expressed her concern regarding the new bylaws. She read an article X and she is in opposition to new bylaws. The senate explained to Leslie, the bylaws are still being worked on and have not completed.
  • Cory expressed his concern regarding the article Leslie read and ask for an update on the survey. President Burno Senator Reeves explained the survey is the ADA complaint office and the survey should be done soon.
  • Angie Nassar, native Rochesterian, graduated from MCC 2002, working in journalism, first job in channel 8, and has been working in Washington for Al Jazeer International. She expressed her concern regarding the suspension of Monroe Doctrine and WMCC. She felt her experience at MCC was meaningful and is concerned the suspensions would cause harm to the journalism career.
  • She asked that if you are considering a new platform to include the advisement from the Communications department and experts from the field. She expressed her concern that students don’t have time to practice.
  • She asked why the organizations can’t exist while the new platforms are being created.
  • Senator Breedy gave Angie Nassar a full explanation of the step that led up to the suspension. He also mentioned there is an opportunity for students to create a club to give the students the opportunity to write and practice.
  • Senator Keech described the survey which will ask students what they want to write and where they will access it.
  • Leslie expressed how starting a new club is difficult and feels that a club should not have to hand in attendance sheets.
  • Cory said that Tamara Walker sent an email in the spring 2025, saying that WMCC was shut down. Secretary of Governance stated the emails between former President Romero, Jodi Oriel,  and Tamara Walker did not shut down the organizations. Vice President Rizzuti referred Leslie Greenwood to the FOIL report.
  • Tamara Walker wrote in the chat that in the spring email to Mark Sample and Angelo Romero, that the WMCC was not being shut down and it was a complete surprised to her that the Senate was shutting down the station. Vice President confirm the current Senate did not shut down the station, it is suspended.
  • Angie asked how did you assess attendance for all club ands organizations.
  • Veronica approached the microphone and stated that while Angie is an alumnus, she is also a reporter and that Angie should reach out to Ryan Messenger for further answers to her questions.
  • Angie confirmed her presence at the meeting is purely as an alumnus. Angie asked if the Senate felt there was sufficient warning to suspend the organizations. Vice President Rizzutti stated the Senate provided sufficient time.  Vice President Rizzuti asked Angie to refer to Jodi Oriel and Ryan Messenger to answer the questions.
  • Secretary Enaami thanked Angie for her questions.

Reports

    1. President Burno
      On Wednesday, November 12th, she had the honor of speaking at the Veterans Ceremony. This was her first time attending, and it was a thoughtful and beautiful ceremony where the MCC community gathered to honor veterans on campus and thank them for their service and sacrifice that allow us to live freely.
      In addition to this, on Friday, November 14th, President Burno and her team hit the road and headed to Syracuse for the Fall SUNY SA Conference. The conference was nothing short of amazing it was a time to collaborate, learn, and grow. She served as a voting delegate and voted on resolutions such as Resolution 0-10, which is a resolution to ensure SUNY students have real, equal voting power in important campus decisions—not just a symbolic seat.
      She also had the opportunity to meet with other student government presidents from across SUNY. President Burno enjoyed this experience and received a lot of helpful information and insight that she is excited to bring back to MCC and contribute to her team.
    2. Vice President of Governance Rizzuti
      This week, I had the honor of representing Monroe Community College and the Student Government Association at the SUNY Student Assembly Fall Conference in Syracuse — my very first conference as Vice President. It was an incredible experience filled with leadership workshops, statewide collaboration, and meaningful conversations about improving student life across the SUNY system. I am truly proud of each member of our team who attended. Everyone participated in different workshops, engaged in important discussions, and represented MCC with professionalism, enthusiasm, and genuine passion for student leadership. We also really enjoyed connecting with other student governments from across New York, sharing ideas and learning from one another’s experiences — and we will absolutely be taking everything we learned and using it moving forward, so stay tuned for some exciting collaborations in the future.
      During the General Assembly business session, one of the resolutions that stood out to me was the System-Wide Fair Funding Model Resolution, which calls on SUNY to reevaluate how campuses are funded so that support reflects each institution’s mission, size, and student needs. As a community college student leader, I found this resolution especially meaningful, and I was proud to contribute to the conversation supporting fairness and sustainability across SUNY.
      Outside of the conference, I also stayed very active on campus through First Year Experience (FYE). This week, I participated in multiple FYE events and had the chance to give several campus tours, which I truly enjoyed. Welcoming new students, answering their questions, and helping them feel at home at MCC continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of my role.
      I also want to give a special shout-out to Athletics Senator Breedy, who won his kickboxing fight this week — an incredible achievement and something we’re all extremely proud of. Moments like these highlight how talented, dedicated, and hardworking our entire SGA team is. I am genuinely proud of every single member for their achievements, growth, and commitment to representing MCC with excellence.
      Overall, this week was productive, inspiring, and full of growth. I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent MCC at a statewide level and excited to bring back new ideas, energy, and motivation to continue strengthening our student community.
    3. Student Trustee Parker Werven
      Since the last public Senate meeting, a great deal has occurred, and there is much to report. On Friday, November 7th, the Student Trustee met with President Burt-Nanna to update her on their duties in the role. During this meeting, the President provided valuable advice and information that the Student Trustee brought back to their team. The Student Trustee has already found the role to be deeply fulfilling in ways they had not imagined, especially given its connection to their academic experience. Later that evening, the Student Trustee attended the Men’s Soccer East District Finals, where MCC narrowly fell short of victory. In their view, the team played solidly and maintained a great deal of possession but ultimately could not capitalize on key opportunities. Regardless of the outcome, the Men’s Soccer team had an outstanding regular season and a strong postseason run, and everyone on and supporting the team should be proud. Earlier last week, much of the Student Trustee’s time was devoted to academics, reviewing funding requests, and engaging in forward-thinking work within the Student Government Association (SGA). From November 14th–16th, several members of the SGA team attended the SUNY Student Assembly in Syracuse, New York. There, they met representatives from numerous SUNY institutions, including SUNY Brockport, Suffolk Community College, Cornell University, and SUNY Polytech, among others. The conference included a series of resolutions on which the SGA President and Vice President voted, as well as remarks from Executive Board members, representatives, and cabinet members, all of whom demonstrated strong professionalism and leadership throughout the event. The team participated in a civil discourse training, which was especially relevant in today’s climate, as well as breakout sessions focused on resume building and application skills to help students stand out. The conference also featured a student jazz band performance that was so well received that evening giveaways had to be rescheduled because attendees did not want the music to end. On Sunday, the group concluded with a small-group discussion and Q&A session with members of the Executive Board. During this time, they exchanged ideas, received advice, and learned more about what other campuses offer, as well as what they excel in and where they can improve. Beyond the educational components, the Student Trustee greatly valued the opportunity to connect with students from across New York State, noting how many colleges are fortunate to have individuals who genuinely care about student life and success. One particularly memorable moment from the conference occurred during an informal gathering in the hotel lobby, where the Student Trustee and a group of students played “Imposter” for over three hours late into the night. Even in this relaxed setting, they continued to share ideas and discuss future collaborations aimed at improving their respective institutions while building community and having fun. Overall, the Student Trustee feels truly fortunate to have grown closer with the SGA team and to have taken part in such an engaging leadership conference. They look forward to continuing collaboration, as well as attending the next SUNYSA conference in the spring in Albany, New York. The Student Trustee remains dedicated to the values of the institution and to improving the experiences of students from all backgrounds.
    4. Secretary of Governance Hajer Enaami
      Last week was highly productive for the student. On November 7, they attended the collaborative ice cream social hosted by SWE, the STEM Club, and the Chemistry Club. The event demonstrated the chemistry behind making ice cream, providing a fun, hands-on connection between scientific principles and real-world application. Later that day, the student went to the men’s soccer game. Although the team lost, the match was exciting and fostered campus community engagement.
      Early in the week, the student was actively involved with various Student Government Association (SGA) responsibilities. On Tuesday, when classes were canceled, they used the day to study extensively for upcoming exams.
      On November 12, the student supported the Muslim Student Association’s (MSA) special chicken platter event. The turnout was strong, with many students purchasing meals and contributing to a successful fundraiser.
      From November 14 to 16, the student traveled with the SGA to Syracuse for the SUNYSA Fall Conference. Friday provided a lively start filled with introductions, networking, and settling into the conference atmosphere. That evening, the student and Athletics Senator Breedy visited the gym.
      Saturday was a full day of learning and professional development. After the resolutions session, the student joined Student Trustee Werven and Athletics Senator Breedy in attending both a résumé workshop and a leadership workshop. Throughout the conference, the student engaged in repeated discussions with SGA members and community college representatives about the newly passed bill adding a staff member to community college Boards of Trustees. Many two-year institutions expressed concerns, which sparked several ongoing conversations.
      Saturday night offered a chance to unwind, as attendees gathered in the lobby to play games and socialize.
      By Sunday morning, the environment became warm and communal, with participants taking photos, sharing breakfast, and saying their goodbyes. President Bruno and Vice President Rizzuti fulfilled their voting responsibilities effectively and represented the team well.
      Overall, the week provided the student with strong academic focus, leadership engagement, networking, and meaningful learning experiences.
      Also, Secretary Enaami wanted to say Congrats to Athletic Senator Breedy for winning his match in Buffalo last week.
    5. Health and Wellness Senator Keech
      During that past two weeks the Health and Wellness Senator has been focusing a lot on her schoolwork. Due to being very ill, she is still not completely better but is getting back to her work and SGA work too. She wrote to the health and wellness advisor to plan a joint event but the schedule for events is book till the end of the semester, so the senator and the advisor are planning to work together to plan an event for the early weeks of the spring semester to help incoming and returning students student find all the resources they need to succeed in their future semester. Also, she’d like to thank all the other SGA members who attended the winter conference to learn more skills to better the SGA. 
    6. Club/Organization Senator Pottinger
      This past week, Abigail has participated in several campus events that supported cultural engagement, academic involvement, and leadership development. On November 5th, Abigail visited the dining hall to support their new halal chicken option, which was introduced as part of their efforts to better serve and support our Muslim community. That same day, Abigail attended a Black Student Union meeting, where members discussed plans for their upcoming Hollywood Gala on November 21st. The meeting focused on event preparation, promotion, and logistics, and provided a meaningful space for community connection and cultural engagement.  On November 7th, Abigail attended the collaborative ice cream social hosted by SWE and STEM Club, and the Chemistry Club. During the event, we learned about the chemistry behind making ice cream, which helped connect scientific principles to a fun, hands-on activity. Later that day, Abigail went to the men’s soccer game. Although the team lost, it was still an exciting and competitive match that brought the campus community together.  On November 8th, Abigail attended the 42nd annual Resident Assistant Conference at Brockport, themed “Creating Your Own Masterpiece.” The conference focused on leadership development and creative approaches to building strong residential communities. A standout moment for Abigail was Kiera Unverzagt’s presentation on the concept of finding your flow state. She explained that a flow state is a mental space where you are fully focused, engaged, and immersed in what you are doing. Finding your flow state is important because it enhances productivity, boosts creativity, supports better problem-solving, and allows individuals to perform at their highest potential. Her insight emphasized how tapping into the flow state can help leaders become more effective, confident, and mindful within their communities.  On November 12th, Abigail attended the Veterans Day ceremony, where student veterans Xavier Moreira and Shawn Sanchez shared impactful speeches about their service and the lessons they learned during their time in the military. The event highlighted appreciation for veterans in our community and offered a moment of reflection.  Finally, on November 14th, Abigail attended a collaborative event between SWE and STEM, and the Biology Club featuring guest speaker Emma Dowling from the company MIMEDX Group. She gave an informative talk on regenerative medicine and its applications in surgical and wound care. This presentation provided valuable insights into advancements in medical technology and potential career pathways in the field.  Thank you.
    7. Athletic Senator Breedy
      This past week we didn’t have a public meeting on Tuesday November 11th because it was Veterans Day and there were no classes that day in honor of the veterans who served our country. Athletic Senator Breedy attending a pre-agenda meeting on Friday, and then after that meeting him and a few other members of SGA went to Syracuse NY for a SUNNY SA conference. At the conference Senator Breedy talked to members of other schools SGA’s and participated in workshops at the conference as-well. Athletic Senator Breedy feels that he connected with a lot of people, and that it was a great learning experience. 
    8. Public Relations Senator Smetanyak
      Rostyslav attended the SUNY Student Assembly (SUNY SA) conference. During the session, I listened to the 10 resolutions that were brought forward for discussion and voting. This gave me a better understanding of statewide student priorities and the policy issues SUNY campuses are focusing on. I also had the opportunity to hear different perspectives from student leaders across New York and see how resolutions move through the voting process. 

Questions and Comments

  1. A student from Pride Alliance asked about their funding request, and the Senate mentioned that they will look into the request. Jodi Oriel mentioned there is a Club and Organization emergency fund for clubs and organizations.
  2. John Breedy thanked Jodi Oriel for taking SGA officers to the SUNY conference. President Burno also welcomed Mark Sample back, and they were glad to have him back.

Adjournment

  1. Vice President of Governance Rizzuti called for a motion for adjournment.
    Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak
  2. Meeting was adjourned at 3:01 pm.

Executive Session

Respectfully submitted