The Student Senate meeting started at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, in the Dakota Ballroom in Davies Student Center. 

The meeting started with a report from Vice President Zach Cardille. Next, they moved into executive reports. 

Siena Emerson, director of the Academic Affairs Commission, announced that the commission will be bringing a new resolution to their meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22 and plans to introduce it at next week’s senate meeting. 

Emerson said she will continue to work with Equity in Student Matters (ESM) to break down Act 15 and its impacts on the university. 

Cole Morehouse, director of the Communications Commission, announced the release of the open forum survey that was sent out earlier today. This survey seeks to gain input from the student body and gauge their satisfaction with the university. 

“So far, 133 students have filled out the survey, which beats last year’s total of 117 responses,” Morehouse said. 

He said he wants to highlight the Communications Commission’s goal to reach 250 responses. 

Morehouse also reminded everyone that the campus-wide open forum will be taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the campus mall. 

Amber Keller, director of the ESM Commission, said that they will be working on a liberal education system resolution that will eventually be introduced to the floor at a later date. 

Jack Hagen, director of the Information Technology Commission, said the committee reviewed the student technology survey from the prior year. They will be gathering data and releasing the next technology survey in the near future.  

Chanel Berg, director of the University Activity Commission, went over many upcoming events, including this week’s Blu’s Bingo, a concert in The Cabin and family weekend. 

The Blu’s Bingo theme this week is “under the sea” and will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. in The Cabin in Davies. 

The Cabin will be hosting a concert with Ellah Olson performing from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24. 

One of the events for the upcoming family weekend is Dueling Pianos from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, in the Ojibwe Ballroom at Davies.

After finishing up announcements, they moved into old business, which included reintroducing 69-B-3. 

69-B-3 was a bill introduced last week by Isabelle Shepard, director of the Finance Commission. This bill will allocate funds for the Student Senate: General Operations. 

Shepard said that this bill is a request to fund position pay increases in accordance with tuition increases, which will amount to $4,156. 

Off-campus senator Nelly Christelle asked where the funds are coming from. 

“The organized activity clearing account will be allocating the funds,” Shepard said. 

After reintroducing the bill, the senate held a vote. It resulted in 32-0-2, so the bill was passed. 

They moved into new business, which included the appointment of Amelia Feltes as a new at-large senator and new committee appointments. 

After finishing up with appointments, they moved into final announcements. 

Ally Etzler, director of Intergovernmental Affairs, reminded everyone that they will be reviewing Act 15 further, and there will be an AAC meeting about it. 

Senate adjourned at 7:01 p.m. and will reconvene next at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27 in the Dakota Ballroom. 

Trnka can be reached at [email protected].