Photo by Ali Meizels ‘23
This week, senate discussed the upcoming campus elections. Intent-to-run forms are due April 17.
Gillian Petrarca ’23
Staff Writer
After a land acknowledgment by Student Government Association Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Maille Romulus ’24, the April 12 senate meeting began. The meeting agenda for the night included E-board updates, open floor announcements and concerns, a Town Hall debrief and commission work.
This week’s E-Board updates included an announcement from Chair of Senate Shula Matthews ’22 about the upcoming all-campus and SGA E-Board elections. Election materials will be shared on April 17. Matthews encouraged everyone to participate and vote in the upcoming campus elections. Viveca Holman, the PR Officer of the SGA Executive Board, announced that spirit week would take place from April 25-29.
Next, senators had the opportunity to share announcements on behalf of their organizations. The senator for the 2022 class board Emma Legacki ’22 shared that the tickets for Senior Ball are now on sale. Ticket sales are limited to the senior class only. The senator from ODetteMita, Tingshu Liang ’23, invited everyone to ODM’s dance performance on April 28 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Great Room of Blanchard Hall. Snacks and drinks will be served at the performance and students can register on Embark. The Pre-Health Association is hosting an alum in health care panel on April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. The JSU senator Nina Baran ’25 invited everyone to the JSU’s Passover Seder on April 15 and April 16. Baran asked students to be mindful while using the Kosher Station during Passover, as this station is the only station Jewish students who keep kosher for Passover can eat at during the holiday. Lastly, the senator from Chorale, Marisa Allyn ’24, asked students to join the choral forces for their Spring concert on April 24 in Abbey Chapel.
Senators then had the opportunity to voice concerns from their constituents. The senator from WMHC, Rhea Pathi ’25, expressed that many of her constituents who filled out the form for the Lavender Committee binder drive had not had their binders delivered yet. President of SGA Lasya Priya Rao Jarugumilli ’23 responded that the Lavender Committee is working on getting everyone who filled out the form a binder and has ordered more. The senator from the Animal Welfare Organization, Sonia Ramanathan ’25, asked what Pangy Day is. Vice President of SGA Ananya Singh ’22 replied that Pangy Day is a Spring semester tradition and is usually celebrated on the last day of classes. There will be maypole dancing and other activities on Skinner Green. Another student asked a clarifying question on what Drag Ball is. Jarugumilli responded that Drag Ball, which is thrown by FAMILIA, a Mount Holyoke student organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ students of color, is an event where the group hires drag queens to perform.
Matthews then asked senators to reflect on the recent Town Hall with Health Services. Allyn said that she enjoyed the PowerPoint structure of their presentation. Matthews also announced that the senate is looking for a new Chair of Halls, senate and special interests for the next academic year. The intent to run form is due by April 17, and students can nominate themselves and others. The election form will open after speeches are given at senate on April 19. Matthews encouraged senators to run for these positions.
Senate concluded with senators joining their commissions to discuss the petitions that they have been working on over the semester.