Community Watch Supported
After the presentation at the last Student Government meeting, the Senate discussed supporting the Community Watch Program during the old business agenda item. Votes were cast and Student Government (SG) will support the Community Watch Program.
New Women’s Senator Appointed
The current Women’s Senator, Emily Hughes, will be going on co-op next quarter and has suggested that second year Film student Rose Glaeser be her replacement in the senate. Glaeser is currently an RA and is on Hughes’s board. Matt Danna, SG vice president, accepted the recommendation and appointed her. After a vote, the appointment was approved. The new senator’s goals include starting a Women’s MSO and upholding the goals set by her predecessor.
Editor’s Note Addressed
The Senate wanted to address the points made by Laura Mandanas, editor in chief of Reporter, in her Editor’s note. The note, featured in the January 23 issue, was titled “Gimmicked Out” and commented on SG’s efforts. Mandanas gave an explanation about her piece.
Ed Wolf, SG president, started off the discussion by giving some historical context for what SG has done in the past and why things are the way they are. He also said that, as a result of the dorm challenge, the quintuplet dorm rooms and wireless internet on the dorm side will be readdressed. Representatives and senators gave their opinions about why students may think the way they do, what has been working for SG, and other activities that can be done. “Programs show that we have an appreciation for students,” said Kari Calenzo, director of public relations.
Not only did the article spark a discussion, but it also made SG re-evaluate how it conducts itself. The website was also criticized. SG’s methods of communicating to the student body what they are doing was discussed, as well. “Journalism’s job is to look at government groups and be a watchdog,” said Mandanas, “It’s not our job to change things, it’s your job.”
Add/Drop Period Clarification
Phillip Amsler, RHA representative, who is representing SG in the Academic Senate, was asked by the Academic Senate to get a better understanding on the add/drop period and whether or not to expand or shorten the period.
One of the concerns addressed was that the current add/drop period may actually be too short for students who take a class one day a week or only on Saturdays. Another issue was how changes made to the add/drop days might affect a student’s full time standing. The majority of the Senate wanted to keep the add/drop period the way it is.
Global Union on YouTube
Global Union (GU) has created their own YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/user/RITGobalUnion). This comes on the heels of a major success with GU’s Unification event. On the channel, viewers can find recordings of performances from the event. Aditya Manjrekar, GU representative, mentioned that their YouTube channel could now be used to inform prospective international students about helpful information on GU.
