By Aleksandra Sidorova
The Student Association Senate approved the first student bill of the 62nd legislation and appointed SA Court justices at its meeting Oct. 23.
Student Bill 1 establishes a committee that would distribute a survey to gather student feedback. The Senate unanimously approved the bill.
“We are creating the Ad-Hoc Student Survey Committee to create a survey that will assess and give recommendations based on student needs — what students are expecting of SA — so that upcoming legislations can make those changes as well,” said SA Vice President Sandesh Poudel, who proposed the bill.
The Senate also approved Tiara Smith as chief justice for the SA Court with no additional discussion. Brionne Thompson, Naomi Adebayo and Jayson Smith were approved as associate justices of the SA’s judicial branch.
The SA Court hears challenges to the SA’s actions and handles cases of impeachment and other SA-related disputes, according to the SA’s page on the SUNY Plattsburgh website.
BridgePSU, a chapter of the national organization BridgeUSA aimed at engaging students in civil discussions about their personal and political beliefs, requested $500 toward its Election Day Expo held Tuesday, Nov. 5. The funding went to refreshments and decorations for the conclusion of the all-day event — the election watch party. The Senate approved the funding.
The club Mail-a-Hug, which performs community service aimed at nursing home residents and disadvantaged children, received $270 to support events Oct. 25 and 26 and Nov. 8: personalized portrait painting, tai chi lessons and a finger-painting workshop respectively.
The funds primarily cover the costs to take an estimated 20 students to the off-campus locations where Mail-a-Hug is hosting the events: Pine Harbour — an assisted living facility located two miles away from the SUNY Plattsburgh campus — and Ted K. Center, which provides services to children living in housing owned by the Plattsburgh Housing Authority and is 1.5 miles away.
The Senate also approved Alexandria Armstrong, Sara Brunell, Abigail Bruno, Jaay Guess, Ginny Lucchetti and Dorothy Jayne Smith as members of the Art Acquisition Board.
Cameron Greaves, SA coordinator for the arts and public relations, said all the named students attended the required number of meetings and had a demonstrated interest in art. The Arts Acquisition Board is researching Black artists in an effort to purchase more diverse artwork.
Senator Elizabeth Alden noted in her report that College Auxiliary Services brought in as a temporary response to student issues with campus dining, and students misunderstood the measure as a permanent upgrade. Alden noted she has been in meetings with CAS, but is “hearing different stories.”
Senator Janiyah James said she is planning a “Hygiene-palooza” drive in collaboration with Planned Parenthood. The idea is for dorms to temporarily have free and accessible period products.
Senator Charlotte Feliz announced plans to redecorate the SA office, located next to the Cardinal Market and Cafe in the Angell College Center, to be more colorful and feel more cozy.
