Last Week in Senate

By: Ava C. Green, Editor-in-Chief

The United Students Association (USA) held their first senate meeting of the spring semester last Friday, Jan. 17. The session started promptly, and senators powered through reports, leaving plenty of time at the end for the group to make vision boards to ring in the new year. 

USA announced plans for various events coming up, including Public Health Committee Chair Daeshyon Riley’s plans for a nutritional education event he’ll be holding in the library. He reported that he and his committee will set and announce the date soon. Diversity Chair Leyla Akil reminded the senate of her event, Freedom Mic, being hosted on Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. by the Blue and Gold Cafe, formerly known as Smoothie Lab. The event will be an open mic night with performances centered around current events. “We’re hoping to give students a chance to share their thoughts on the inauguration, election and political atmosphere through reflections, poems, songs or whatever medium they feel best expresses their views,” Chair Akil told The Griffin. She continued, “[Students] can scan the QR code on our flyers to submit their performance for screening. We want to ensure the event remains a safe space for all.”

With updates on events also came updates on the campus in general. Smoothie Lab not only had its name changed to Blue and Gold Cafe, but also changed up its menu, now offering hot subs and pizza. USA President Tim Sanders and Dining Services Liaison Marja’e Johnson both mentioned that the Chartwells staff is always taking requests and students should participate in email surveys sent out. Sanders reiterated, “Your voice matters.”

USA Advisor Jason Francey acknowledged the shift in campus life platforms – from GriffNet to Griff Connect – that took place over winter break as well. Students can find emails sent by Francey from the past few weeks where he details more instructions and tutorials for users. Vice President of Business and Finance Gabby Kaderli said the new Griff Connect is also where students can find applications to join the finance board, more information can be found in the Today@Canisius emails. 

Three new senators-at-large were welcomed during the meeting as well: sophomores Dylan Gullo and Dave Stroh, and graduate student Dorcus Nzayisenga. The next session of the United Students Association’s senate will be held today – Friday, Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m. – in the Grupp Fireside Lounge in the Richard Winter Student Center, and is open for all students to attend.