Photo by Ali Meizels '23. At the meeting, senators completed exercises intended to prepare them for community outreach.
By Paige Comeau ’26
Staff Writer
On Nov. 29, the Student Government Association senate meeting opened with the Mount Holyoke College land acknowledgment, the presentation of the agenda and updates from the E-Board. It was announced that the College’s Small Business Friday will take place in the Community Center Great Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. More information about signing up for or attending the event can be found on the SGA’s Instagram page or on Embark. It was also announced that in light of dining appreciation, SGA will be tabling outside of Blanchard on Thursday, Dec. 1, Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 with note cards. Students are encouraged to stop by and write a thank you note to dining staff, who play an integral part in running the College. To end the report, senators were informed that Tuesday, Dec. 6, would be the last senate meeting of the semester.
Following E-Board updates was open floor, a time for members to speak up for their various organizations and constituents. First, senators were asked to relay any announcements or updates, during which organizations such as Active Minds at MHC, the Class of 2024 Class Board and the Mixed Identity Student Collective publicized events and workshops being held in the upcoming weeks. Then, senators were asked for any questions, comments or concerns they would like to express to the senate.
During this portion of the meeting, one senator commented on an observation of theirs. Over the break, they had seen a box, not unlike an automated external defibrillator — a device used to restore cardiac rhythm — at a local library in Amherst. The box held safety materials, such as gloves, and contained Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in a matter of minutes. When used effectively, Narcan can save lives. After a bit of research, the senator said they had found that such boxes can be found within Amherst and Northampton. They questioned why the College didn’t have a similar box. Members of the E-Board agreed that a kit like this would be a useful addition to the College.
The senate meeting concluded with commission work. Following a meeting with E-Board members, senators were asked to consider certain questions and complete certain tasks. First, they were asked if they had reached out to their contact, someone who they wished to aid them with their ideas. If senators hadn’t reached out, they were urged to spend their time doing so. If they had made contact, but their contact had not responded, they were urged to speak to their E-Board member before proceeding. If their contact did respond, they were told to consider their contact’s response and what their next steps should be. Afterward, they were asked to take a look at the example petitions placed on their tables, including a comical piece asking the College to consider the adoption of a lioness named Ed Sheeran to be housed in Talcott Greenhouse, in order to enhance community connection and overall well-being. Senators were told to think about how they could transfer their ideas into a petition of their own, and, if time allowed, to begin drafting one. The senators worked for about 30 minutes, until their E-Board member dismissed them.