2026-04-14 SGA Senate Meeting Minutes

April 7, 2026

2:15pm, Forum (Room 3-139A), Downtown Campus Room 200B, Zoom

In Attendance

Student Senators

  • Senator Maddilyn Keech
  • Senator Elle Reeves
  • Senator John Breedy
  • Senator Rusty Smetanyak
  • Senator Desi Charles
  • Senator Bodhi Blaska

President

  • Lisa Burno

Vice President of Governance

  • Margherita Rizzuti

Vice President of Downtown Campus

  • Anthony Flanders

Student Trustee

  • Parker Werven

Chief of Staff

  • Abigail Pottinger

Office of Student Life

  • Advisor: Jodi Oriel
  • Faculty Advisor: Mark Sample

Visitors

  • Visitors: Geer-Mentry – MCC Association
  • Veronica Cheisi Brown – Community Relations
  • Williams – MCC Student
  • Ryan Messenger – Academic & Student Affairs
  • Christine Cormack (Online) 
  • Kim DeLardge (Online) 

Minutes

Call to Order (2:16 pm)

  1. Roll Call (see attendance above)
    Vice President Rizutti called for a roll call to start the senate meeting.
  2. Land Acknowledgement
  3. Approval of Minutes
    1. Vice President Rizutti called for a motion to approve the April 7, 2026, Student Government Association minutes.
    2. Senator Breedy moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak.
    3. A vote was taken.
    4. Be it resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the April 7, 2026, minutes as written.

 Reports

  1. President Burno

    Good afternoon everyone, I hope you all had a restful weekend. In the week leading up to break, I had the opportunity to meet with Middle States alongside other members of my team. It was a valuable experience, and I truly appreciated being part of such an important process and having the chance to share my experience here at MCC.  In addition, on March 26th, I attended the MCC Association Board meeting, where we discussed several initiatives, including the student life fee and other important topics. Overall, the meeting was very insightful and informative.  Lastly, on April 7th, I had the opportunity to host another election workshop, where I was able to engage with fellow students, inform them about SGA and the election process, and answer any questions they had.  Overall, it has been a very productive past two weeks, and I’m looking forward to continuing this momentum in the weeks ahead.

  2. Vice President of Governance Rizzuti

    No report for this week

  3. Vice President of the Downtown Campus Flanders

    Good Afternoon, I am pleased to announce that the free breakfast program is up and gaining popularity. I would directly like to thank Jenny. For her direct assistance and support in her role in regards to this matter. I has worked with Elle Reeves to bring awareness to the Downtown Campus students about how to go about starting a club. The purpose and the resolve and unity a club can provide. Ms. Reeves meet with the director of the Downtown Campus and from what I hear from both parties that was a success. I want to thank Ms. Reeves for reaching out to me to address this concern. The entire SGA panel has been invited to come to the Downtown Campus and participate in FLING BLING! MAY 6. 2026 at 11am. This is a major event for the Downtown Campus every year. The Director has offered to set us up a table so we will be able to network with students and staff alike. I am a full time student and my classes are going very well. I looks forward to finishing the semester strong.

  4. Student Trustee Werven

    No report for this week

  5. Chief of Staff Pottinger

    Good afternoon everyone. This past week, I have been dedicated to my schoolwork, studying, and preparing for the SUNYSA Conference.  On Wednesday, April 10th, the Engineering Leadership Council hosted their 5th Annual Cardboard Boat Race. I would like to give a shoutout to everyone who came out to support, as well as to the participants and winners for making the event such a success.  First place was awarded to Marc with The Same Day Express Critical Priority Mail Express Ship, second place went to Pride Alliance with The Pride Parade, and third place was awarded to the Video Games Club with the “will update Connor later” boat. It was a fun and engaging event that brought together different organizations and showcased creativity, teamwork, and school spirit. Thank you.

  6. Public Relations Senator Keech

    Over the past week, I have dedicated my time to my academic responsibilities and to preparing for the upcoming end of the semester.

  7. Public Relations Senator Smetanyak

    This week, I was not on campus at MCC as I was in New York City attending the Model United Nations conference. During this experience, I participated in committee sessions, collaborated with other delegates, and worked on developing solutions to global issues, which strengthened my public speaking, negotiation, and policy writing skills.  Additionally, I, along with the rest of SGA, attended the SUNY Student Assembly conference in Albany. During the conference, SUNY SA elections were held and multiple resolutions were discussed and voted on. I am proud to share that two resolutions from MCC were successfully passed. One resolution focused on expanding paid internship opportunities for students, while the other aimed to improve the transfer process from community colleges to four year institutions by reducing the loss of academic credits. Both initiatives will have a meaningful impact on student success across SUNY.

  8. Student Relations Senator Breedy

    No report for this week

  9. Clubs and Organizations Senator Reeves 

    This week, I had the opportunity to meet again with the Downtown Director and Nicole to continue discussing new initiatives for the Downtown Campus clubs, focusing on ways we can build stronger engagement and create more consistent opportunities for students to get involved. Our conversation centered around expanding programming and making sure clubs have the support they need to grow and stay active. In addition to that, I traveled to Albany for the SUNY Student Assembly conference, where I ran for the Community College Representative position, and it was honestly a really valuable experience overall. I was able to meet a lot of new people from different campuses, build connections, and be in a space with other student leaders who are all working toward similar goals. The conference itself was very educational and gave me a better understanding of student leadership on a broader level, and it pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone while continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

  10. Diversity Senator Charles

    This week has been very positive and productive. I have been preparing to attend the SUNY SA Spring Conference, and I am very excited for the opportunity to attend with the team on behalf of Monroe Community College. I am looking forward to learning more about leadership, student advocacy, and ways I can grow through this experience. I have also been working on improving my performance with assignments and strengthening my contributions within SGA. I am continuing to develop in my role and look forward to collaborating more with the team moving forward.

  11. Athletic Senator Blaska

    No report for this week

  12. Jodi Oriel
    No report for this week

Old Business

    A. There was no old business.

New Business

  1. Resolution to approve the increase in MCC Tuition by $150 and the Technology Fee by $40.
    • Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the MCC Tuition increase by $150 and the Technology Fee by $40.
    • Vice President Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak.
    • Discussion: MCC 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 MCC Tuition increase by $150 and the Technology Fee by $40, effective April 7, 2026, at Monroe Community College
  2. Resolution to approve the Student Life Fee Increase by 3 percent.
    • Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the Student Life Fee increase by three percent (3%).
    • Vice President Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak.
    • Discussion: MCC Association 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 Student Life Fee increase by three percent (3%), effective April 7, 2026, at Monroe Community College
  3. Resolution to approve the funding request of $250 for the Student Music Association.
    • Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the funding request of $250 for the Student Music Association
    • Vice President Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak.
    • Discussion: Student Music Association 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 of $250 for the Student Music Association, effective April 7, 2026, at Monroe Community College
  4. Resolution to approve the funding request of $2,931 for Campus One80 Remedy Retreat Travel.
    • Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the funding request for Campus One80
    • Vice President Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak.
    • Discussion: Campus One80 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 of $2,931 for Campus One80, effective April 7, 2026, at Monroe Community College
  5. Resolution to approve the funding request of $5,300 for Surgical Technology Club.
    • Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the funding request for the Surgical Technology Club
    • Vice President Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak.
    • Discussion: Surgical Technology 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 of $5300 for the Surgical Technology Club, effective April 7, 2026, at Monroe Community College
  6. Resolution to approve the funding request of $300 for the Spanish Club
    • Resolved, the Monroe Community College Student Government Association approves the funding request for the Spanish Club
    • Vice President Rizzuti called for a motion to approve the resolution. Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Smetanyak.
    • Discussion: 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 of $300 for the Spanish Club, effective April 7, 2026, at Monroe Community College

Speak to the Senate

  1. There was no one registered to speak to the senate this week.

Adjournment

  1. Vice President of Governance Rizzuti called for a motion for adjournment.
    Senator Breedy so moved, seconded by Senator Reeves.
  2. Meeting was adjourned at 2:43 pm.

Respectfully submitted