The Student Senate meeting began Monday at 6:02 p.m. in the Dakota Ballroom in Davies Student Center.
The majority of the meeting focused on updates and ongoing projects. Vice President Zachary Cardille checked in with commission directors.
Information Technology Director Jack Hagen said his commission is working with a list of stakeholders on campus who may want to submit innovation budget requests. He said the tech survey has reached 283 responses in just under a week.
“The survey identified some areas for improvement that we at (Information Technology) will keep an eye on for the future,” Hagen said.
Director Ally Etzler delivered the Intergovernmental Affairs Commission report. She said she attended the Chippewa Valley Rally with several student senators this past weekend.
“It was a great day,” Etzler said. “I hope it was a beneficial experience and that those who joined me continue to advocate both for yourselves and for the Eau Claire community. Nothing will ever get done if we don’t use our voice, and the founding fathers did not put the First Amendment in the Constitution for ‘funsies.’”
Student Health and Wellness Commission Director Rachel Schulte said the commission has done work on a wellness map and plans for accessibility advocacy. She said the first Health and Wellness newsletter is currently out.
Student Office of Sustainability (SOS) Commission Director Madi Shafman said SOS has been busy passing resolutions, and that she is working with the City of Eau Claire about the annual “Pack it up and Pass It On” event, slated to take place May 14-15.
Tia Beirne, Student Organizations Commission director, said the commission is holding ongoing presentations and that funding presentations will take place this week to finalize deliberations.
University Activities Commission Director Chanel Berg said events for the week will slow down to make way for House of Blugold on Feb. 28, but the commission is holding a craft night and “love yourself” event.
Special reports were given, including a reminder from at-large senator and Mascot Coordinator Joey Klaith that anyone from the Eau Claire community or campus can request Blu the Blugold to attend events for free.
Housing committee members said they are in the planning stages for a spring community walk-through with members of the UW-Eau Claire administration and city council members.
Klaith then reintroduced Bill 69-B-7. The bill, titled “Creating a Mascot Committee,” would allow for a committee to be established for the purpose of supporting the mascot coordinator in interviewing and onboarding new employees and the development of Blu’s brand and campus presence.
“During the transition into my role as the mascot coordinator, I noticed that there were not many forms of support,” Klaith said. “This has made my transition a little more difficult than it should have been, and this bill is working to address that.”
Several commission directors and student senators spoke in favor of the bill. After holding a vote, the bill passed 24-0-1.
After several announcements, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. and will reconvene next at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 2 in the Dakota Ballroom.
Wojahn can be reached at [email protected].
