September 26th, 2023
2:15 pm, Forum, Room 3-130, Downtown Campus Room 200B, Zoom
In Attendance
Student Senators
- Senator Mohamed Souhail
- Senator Jemeah Scott
- Senator Giomer Garcia-Maldonado
- Senator Thomas Adams
- Senator Ashley Wrobeh
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
Student Trustee
- Ana Santos
Office of Student Life
- Advisor: Jodi Oriel
- Faculty Advisor: Mark Sample
Visitors
- Kanlil Lewis (MCC Student)
- Brian Sebunva (MCC Student)
- Julia Ragaglia MCCA
- Dana Williams (MCC Student)
- Judi Raz (Global Union Student)
- Tarush Ghai, Campus Activities Board
Minutes
Call to Order (2:15 pm)
- Roll Call (see attendance above)
Vice President of Governance Romero called for a roll call to start the senate meeting. - Land Acknowledgement
- Approval of Minutes
- Vice President of Governance Romero called for a motion to approve the September 19th, 2023, Student Government Association minutes.
- Senator Adams so moved, seconded by Senator Scott
- A vote was taken.
- Be it resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the September 19th, 2023, minutes as written.
Speak to the Senate
- Tarush Ghai, Member of the Campus Activities Board
Tarush Ghai, a member of the Campus Activities Board introduced the idea of the Hispanic Heritage Month Event, and he came up with a proposal to collaborate with the Student Government Association.
Reports
- President Leichtner
On 09/18/23 President Leichtner attended the SUNY Student Assembly Executive Session in his capacity as a Community College Representative. President Leichtner was also appointed the Chair for the Community College Caucus.
President Leichtner has also been planning and coordinating with Ronalyn Pollack, the co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee in Rochester, NY. He has been coordinating with her regarding SGA volunteering on Indigenous Peoples Day. This is in hopes to further the Community Service Committees goal to strengthen the community and create a culture of belonging, as well as fulfill part of the presidents Vision 2027 plan, Direction One, Together as One. - Vice President Romero
On September 20th, 2023, Vice President Romero Attended the Student Government Snack & Chat with Election Coordinator Barmak, Student Trustee Santos, Vice President of Downtown McGinnis, Faculty Advisor Sample, and Student Life Advisor Jodi Oriel. The objective of the event was to actively engage with students and provide a platform for them to ask any questions they may have regarding the Student Government Association (SGA) or the college. Additionally, the event was graced by the Voter Registration Coordinator from the Monroe County Board of Elections, Annette Ramos, who helped students register to vote for the upcoming New York State Elections and Presidential Elections scheduled for the following year. The event also served as an opportunity to convey a crucial message, “Why Your Vote Matters,” in honor of Constitution Day. Professor Joseph Scanlon delivered a speech on the importance of voting, and we are grateful for his presence and contribution to the event. As part of the event, I also gave a speech on the significance of every individual’s vote, regardless of background or environment. It is essential to remember that every voice must be heard, and every vote counts.
- Vice President of Downtown McGinnis
On September 20th, SGA’s first Snack-N-Chat of the semester was at the Brighton campus. The terrace bustling with student traffic Vice President McGinnis had the pleasure of discussing the importance of voting and civic participation with my fellow students, while listening to students share their thoughts and hearing the ringing of the new voter-registered bell in the background. It was an inspiring and proud day to be a part of SGA. Thank you to Tyliek Buffong and your group of friends for the engaging conversation.
Friday, September 22 Vice President McGinnis met with Disability Awareness Club’s Advisor Jean McCrumb to continue planning this year’s Downtown events the club has in store. Leaving the meeting with pages of notes and beginning stages of some exciting events to come. Save the date November 15 for the Disability Awareness Club’s fall social, further details to follow. - Treasurer Guney
Treasurer Guney has no reports for this week. - Secretary of Governance Zin
For the past week, Secretary of Governance Zin was at the constitution day and snacknchat events. Secretary Zin and Vice President of Downtown McGinnis actively engaged with students at the event and had an opportunity to meet with some students. Also, Secretary Zin started her office hours for the fall semester of 2023. Office hours are Tuesday 5-6, Wednesday 12-1 and Friday 1-2. She welcomes all the students to reach out to me with questions, concerns, or interests in the Student Government Association.
- Chief of Staff Allen
Chief of Staff Allen briefly attended SGAs Snack & chat on the 20th, with Vice President Romero, Student Trustee Santos, Student Life Advisor Oriel, and Faculty Advisor Sample. Although I couldn’t stay long the turnout was great.
- Diversity Senator Scott
Diversity Senator Scott has no reports for this week - Student Relations Senator Adams
This past week Senator Adams met with the Campus Activities Board and went over future plans and goals they had in mind, such as promoting the Hispanics event. Later in the week he emailed Dr. Messenger about admissions and enrollment ideas for his committee and should have something this week.
- Clubs and Organizations Senator Garcia-Maldonado
Senator Giomar is the newest addition to the SGA as Clubs and Organizations Senator. He is a first-semester Computer Science major. Senator Giomar is excited to work with this incredible team representing the SGA and is eager to serve all the amazing clubs and organizations here at MCC and help them reach their unique goals. Senator Giomar has met with representatives of each club here on campus during the Student Life Fair on Wednesday, September 13th to greet and familiarize himself with each group’s goals and objectives. It was great to see the many students who attended this event to get involved with our campus’ various hardworking, growing clubs. Senator Giomar will be reviewing the policies surrounding clubs and organizations for the duration of this coming week, with focus on policies regarding budgeting and club “good standing” status requirements. These focuses are due to feedback Senator Giomar has received by various clubs regarding the “use it or lose it” framework on club’s budget, and the potential ambiguity on what a club in “good standing” really means and requires of its members.
- Election Coordinator Barmak
Over the past week, the Student Government Election Coordinator, Barmak, attended the snack and chat, constitution day, and vote registration day on Wednesday the 20th as she helped set up for the event. She also attended a leadership training session this past Saturday to learn more about the qualities she need to become a great leader and represent the Student Government as well as meet members of other clubs and organization and learn more about them, in order to become more aware of MCC and play her role as an SGA member.
- Athletic Senator Souhail
Athletic Senator Souhail has no reports for this week.
New Business
- There was no new business
Discussion Items
- There were no discussion items.
Old Business
- There was no old business.
Questions and Comments
- There were no questions or comments.
Adjournment
- Vice President Romero called for a motion for adjournment.
- Meeting was adjourned at 2:37 pm.
Executive Session
Respectfully submitted,
Ivy Zin
Secretary of Governance