Photo by Emma Quirk ‘26.
The final meeting of the Fall 2023 senate occurred on Tuesday night with end-of-semester discussions.
By Paige Comeau ’26
Staff Writer
Senate began on Dec. 5 with a reading of the Mount Holyoke College Land Acknowledgement and the meeting’s agenda, which included E-Board updates, an open floor and a closing note.
Beginning with E-Board updates, the senate leaders planned to speak on the Student Government Association Ways and Means Committee, affinity spaces, a Public Safety and Service department update and an upcoming SGA project.
First, one of the students on the Ways and Means Committee came up to the stage to remind everyone of the upcoming audits. They explained that any person in charge of funds within an on-campus organization has to come and meet with Ways and Means for their audit. If they do not, their organization’s accounts will be frozen for the next semester.
Then, the senate leaders discussed affinity spaces and upcoming intergroup dialogue sessions. Meetings will be held on Sunday, Dec. 10, with Jewish-identified students, Middle Eastern North African-identified students, Black-identified students, Muslim-identified students and students who identify as allies. More information can be found in recent emails from the Division of Student Life.
After this, the senate announced a message from the Public Safety and Service department. In a previous session, a student had mentioned that the science buildings were not open for the entirety of their posted “open” hours. Senate leaders then contacted Public Safety, and they admitted it to be a mistake on their part. Moving forward, students should be able to access the buildings within their posted hours.
Finally, senate leaders announced that an upcoming SGA project would be taking place the week of Dec. 4. Every year, the leaders explained, SGA attempts to take on a project of thankfulness. This year, they are looking to write thank-you notes to facilities and maintenance staff. SGA officials will be gathering on Dec. 6, 7 and 8 during dinner to gather thank-yous from students and staff. Anyone is welcome to come and write a thank-you message.
Following E-Board updates, the senate turned to open floor, a time when senators and representatives can address any concerns and announce any upcoming events. Several representatives shared their end-of-year events, including STEMPOC’s study-a-thon on Dec. 10, the Jewish Student Union’s Hanukkah celebrations, Club Ice Hockey’s annual Krispy Kreme fundraiser and the English Handbell Ensemble’s winter concert on Dec. 10.
When asked if they had any concerns, a student senator representing 1837 Hall noted that the plastic shower curtains in the bathrooms continuously break. They asked if it would be possible to get thicker fabric curtains for the outer railing. Senate leaders said they would bring the concern up to Facilities Management.