Last week in Senate: Introductions and Announcements

By: Ashley Kurz, Managing Editor 

On Friday, Sept. 12, the United Student Association (USA) held its first meeting of the 2025-26 academic year. It was held in Grupp Fireside Lounge and welcomed many new senate members as well as the excited E-Board, which was voted in last semester. The session was gavelled in at 2:31, wasting no time, and Jason Francey began. 

This meeting was not open to the public as it was the first USA meeting for not just the year but for most of the students there as well – it was vital that everyone was introduced to each other and got comfortable with their positions before hosting a crowd. Out of the 29 members of Senate, including the executive board, liaisons, senators and chairs, and excluding the graduate advisor and advisor for purposes of counting, there are 21 new members. After Francey swore in the executive board, President DeGlopper did the same for the rest of the senate and liaisons.

There were introductions of the all-female executive board, and the members explained why they joined USA and also discussed exciting events for the semester. Next on the agenda was general student concerns, which is when all members were asked to share if they had heard any issues discussed around campus. Senator Firkowski brought to the attention of the senate that accessibility buttons leading into main buildings and their maintenance was an issue. They were also an issue last year and had been in the works to get replaced/fixed, but still, not all of the buttons were operable. Other issues briefly mentioned included parking and the general cleanliness of campus.

In terms of executive reports, President DeGlopper began with information about the new area in Palisano: some kinks still need to be worked out, but it is open to all students as of last week. Bee Mulenga, Executive Vice President, discussed potential office hours for the semester. The goal is to have someone in the USA office Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., depending on member availability. Official office hours are still in the works at this time. Sophomore Vice President of Business and Finance (VPBF) Bella Peters announced that finance board applications are out for both undergraduate and graduate students. They will be due by Oct. 1 and you can contact Peters for any questions at peters84@canisius.edu. Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations (VPMPR), Leyla Akil, mentioned the logo competition put in place for students to enter their designs. The deadline has been extended to Sunday, Sept. 21 at 11:59 p.m. and can be submitted on GriffConnect. USA is also currently seeking a Diversity Chair. Anyone interested can email EVP Bee Mulenga at usaevp@canisius.edu.

They adjourned at 3:28 p.m. and closed the first meeting of a new year. All students and faculty are invited to their upcoming meetings which will be Fridays at 2:30 p.m. in Grupp Fireside Lounge.