2023-11-28 SGA Senate Meeting Minutes

November 28, 2023
2:15 pm, Forum 3-130, Downtown Campus Room 200B, Zoom

In Attendance

Student Senators

  • Senator Mohamed Souhail
  • Senator Giomer Garcia-Maldonado
  • Senator Ashley Wrobeh
  • Senator Loritea Ellis
  • Senator Alicia Crimmins
  • Senator Daniel Kalumbwe

Election Coordinator

  • Naz Barmak

Historian

  • Paula Balow

President

  • Joseph Leichtner

Vice President of Governance

  • Angelo Romero

Vice President of Downtown

  • Mandie McGinnis

Treasurer

  • Zeynep Guney

Chief of Staff

  • Ava Allen

Secretary of Governance

  • Ivy Zin

Secretary of Staff

  • Gavin Harrigan

Student Trustee

  • Ana Santos

Office of Student Life

  • Advisor: Jodi Oriel
  • Faculty Advisor: Mark Sample

Visitors

  • Dana Williams – MCC Student
  • Ginny Geer-Mentry – MCC Association
  • Ryan Messenger – Academic & Student Affairs

Minutes

Call to Order (2:15 pm)

  1. Roll Call (see attendance above)
    Vice President of Governance Romero called for a roll call to start the senate meeting.
  2. Land Acknowledgement
  3. Approval of Minutes
    1. Vice President of Governance Romero called for a motion to approve the November 21, 2023, Student Government Association minutes.
    2. Senator Souhail so moved, seconded by Senator Ellis.
    3. A vote was taken.
    4. To be resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the November 21, 2023, minutes as written.

Speak to the Senate

  1. No one spoke to the Senate.

Reports

  1. President Leichtner

    On 11/17- 11/19, President Leichtner attended the SUNY Student Assembly Conference in Syracuse, NY. President Leichtner attended this conference in his capacity as a Voting Delegate and Community College Representative. The conference was an amazing learning and growing experience, and it was wonderful to be able to attend. President Leichtner also attended workshops at the conference relating to suicide prevention and awareness, as well as workshops relating to leadership and public speaking.

  2. Vice President Romero

    On November 20th, Vice President Romero attended a meeting with Student Life Advisor Oriel about an event having to do with the Israel/Palestine Event involving asking for a cease-fire in the area, praying for everyone who is a victim of the war, and for peace. They would talk with the students organizing the event and review the outline. The event was postponed at the moment, but they hope to have it before the semester ends. Another meeting was set up on Monday, November 28th. On November 16th, Vice President Romero gave his Faculty Senate Report to the Faculty Senate. He would talk about what SGA has done, including new SGA Members, Snack & Chat at the Resident Halls and the Downtown Campus, Chloe Vazzana the program coordinator being the MCC Champion, SGA Teaming up with Admissions for helping with tours, and Student Panels. He would also ask for more information about it being possible for SGA to be added to the class syllabus for resources, so students and faculty know Student Government exists. He will get an update on who to contact, and he will give an update.

  3. Vice President of Downtown McGinnis

    Friday, November 17th through Sunday, November 19th Student Trustee Santos, President Leichter, Vice President of Governance Romero, Vice President of Downtown McGinnis, Secretary of Governance Zin, Treasurer Guney, Senators, Adams, Ellis, and Kalumbwe, with Secretary of Staff Harrigan and Historian Barlow along with advisors Oriel and Sample traveled to Syracuse, NY to attend the State University of New York Student Assemble (SUNY SA) fall 2023 conference.

    The conference opened with the opportunity to listen to keynote speaker Assemblymember Magnerelli and the SUNY Student Assembly (SA) Executive Panel discussion. Followed by dinner and networking before the first business meeting of the conference. Friday evening ended with many of the SGA (Student Government Association) members having fun playing games with other SA.

    Saturday was a full day of business starting with a professional development workshop and learning improved ways for cover letters, resume writing, and even scholarship and admission essays. Use best practices and find your match to make your writing stand out from the rest. 

    Saturday morning also brought our Community College (CC) caucus, and reports of positive and challenging changes from many CCs. With areas of focus here at MCC that SGA will begin to work on soon. 

    Attending the Leadership Community Service workshop in the late morning. This workshop focused on developing your leadership skills in a community service setting. How to work with volunteers and most importantly how to lead while following. As a community service leader, you inspire others to lead creating the opportunity for great change and impact to your community.

    The afternoon had two important meetings, one on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in leadership and the second on DEI practices. DEI encourages policies and procedures that encourage the representation and participation of people of different genders, races, ethnicities, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, and classes. Both meetings led to engaging conversions and shared stories of the importance of DEI. 

    The evening was filled with teambuilding fun at a local restaurant for a family-style dinner followed by a game of bowling. The pins fell as the laughter filled the air.

    Sunday being the last day, business began early and will need to be continued at the spring 2024 conference. 

  4. Treasurer Guney

    Treasurer Guney has no reports for this week.

  5. Secretary of Governance Zin

    Last week, on November 21st, Secretary of Governance Zin attended the Executive leadership team meeting with the fellow SGA members, where met with the president’s team. Vice President of Governance Romero, Health and Wellness Senator Wrobeh, Club and Organization Senator Garcia-Maldonado, including Secretary Zin, shared the reports on the SGA updated activities. Also, Secretary Zin encourages all MCC students to complete the Academic Calendar survey questions to have the MCC Academic Calendar that works best for the students in the future.

  6. Chief of Staff Allen

    Chief of Staff Allen has no report for this week.

  7. Secretary of Staff Harrigan

    Secretary of Staff Harrigan has no reports for this week.

  8. Health & Wellness Senator Wrobeh

    Health and Wellness Senator Wrobeh has no reports for this week.

  9. Election Coordinator Barmak

    Election Coordinator Barmak has no reports for this week

  10. Athletic Senator Souhail

    Athletic Senator Souhail has no reports for this week.

  11. Virtual Campus Senator Ellis

    On November 17th- 19th 2023, Senator Ellis attended the SUNY Student Assembly’s Fall Conference with other SGA peers. Senator Ellis attended most of the workshops held there such as Professional Development, Public Speaking, Mental Health Awareness, Diversity Equality & Inclusion of Leadership, and Self-Care workshops. Senator Ellis made greater connections with her peers and networked with other colleges. It was a great learning experience for Senator Ellis.

    On November 20th, 2023, Senator Ellis met with the Future Downtown Steering Committee. Discussion was held about many concerns, and plans that needed to start being implemented since time is of the essence. The topics that were discussed were academic programs at the Downtown Campus, Expanding the Downtown Campus, Classroom space Downtown, Campus development and facilities, programs mix and instructional cost, students preferences for modality in online course learning, and lastly analyzing transcripts to make informed decision making. It has been great to be an advocate for the students’ wants and needs Senator Ellis feels.

  12. Residence Hall Senator Crimmins

    Residence Hall Senator Crimmins has no reports for this week.

  13. Club and Organization Senator Garcia-Maldonado

    After last week’s Senate meeting on November 21st, 2023, Senator Garcia-Maldonado had the pleasure to meet with the president of MCC, as well as her executive team. With the rest of the SGA members, it was a pleasure to share the reports and Senator Garcia-Maldonado also shared the news on the ELC’s win of the pumpkin launching competition.

  14. Club and Organization Senator Kalumbwe

    Club and Organization Senator Kalumbwe has no reports for this week.

New Business

  1. There was no new business.
  1.  

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 Romero called for a motion for adjournment.
  2. Meeting was adjourned at 2:30 pm.

Executive Session

Respectfully submitted,
Ivy Zin
Secretary of Governance