Last Week in Senate: Swearing-ins, safety and self-love

By: Mikayla Boyd, Editor-In-Chief and Hannah Wiley, Managing Editor

The United Student Association (USA) met for their second meeting of the spring semester on Friday, Jan. 30. The meeting was called to order at 2:32 p.m. and the agenda opened with general student concerns, which included sidewalks not being shoveled around Health Science and Science Hall as well as sidewalks needing to be cleared at the resident hall exterior doors. Another concern was campus safety as students brought up several situations in which dispatch hung up on students and acted dismissively. One student was left waiting for an hour after being promised a ride back to their residence hall during the snowstorm last week. President DeGlopper responded that campus safety employees, who have not been meeting standards, were let go over winter break and advised that if anybody experiences similar poor service from campus safety to note the date and time as officials can pull up the call logs. They are also working to get public safety shovels and jumper cables so campus security can assist with car issues. Advisor Francey added that there was a meeting with NMS officials, the company through which our campus security is contracted. This meeting focused on alignment around expectations, and Francey emphasized that the relationship is new and they are working towards improving it.

The senate then moved to executive reports. President DeGlopper announced there would be an information session about the upcoming senate executive board elections following the meeting on Friday, Feb. 6. VPBF Peters presented two appeals in relation to travel fees from the Society of Black Engineers for $2,000 and Phi Alpha Delta for $3,500. Both appeals were approved by the senate. 

Next were cabinet reports. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. Co-Chairs Pike and Tolliver said that their committee was meeting this week and is planning future events for Black History Month and Women’s History Month. They also announced that they are working on getting red cards to put in the library to inform everyone of their rights and are working on filling the women’s restrooms with menstrual products. Public Health Chair Riley announced he was focusing on fitness initiatives this semester, and his first event would be centered around self-love in the coming weeks. Facilities/ITS Liaison Firkowski reported that the missing light on the Science Hall side of the Jefferson crosswalk was hit by a plow during break and is getting fixed. The water fountain in Palisano has also been fixed. Public Safety Liaison Hajdini said campus safety has been communicating with NMS management to provide more training and patrol techniques and make efforts to get greater resources regarding mental health crises. In addition, Director of Campus Safety Randy Szukala is in communication with the chief of the Buffalo Police Department for the benefit of the school. That concluded reports, and the senate then entered structured discussion. The new Title IX Coordinator, Petrina Hill-Cheatom, was supposed to speak to the Senate, but was unable to be in attendance. President DeGlopper swore in Griff Center Liaison Van Kooten and J.U.S.T.I.C.E Co-Chairs Pike and Tolliver. The Senate then moved into open discussion where Dining Liaison Kosten kindly asked everyone to speak louder during meetings. The meeting was adjourned at 3:01 p.m. The next meeting of USA will be held on Friday, Feb. 6 and will feature Dr. Bridget Niland, Vice President for Academic Affairs as the guest speaker.