Photo Courtesy of Lynn Sleiman ‘24
By Hope Simpson ’24
Staff Writer
SGA senate convened this week with an announcement: from now on, students will be able to use safety net funds to cover outside medical related expenses, such as transportation and urgent care costs.
In further health-related news, the senate’s COVID-19 & Content Commission group is planning to petition the administration to relax the guest policy. Their proposed plan would involve guests filling out a Google form where they would have to provide proof of vaccination, agree to be masked indoors and in other designated spaces and commit to adhere to all other aspects of the community compact. Commission members suggested that Mount Holyoke students who break this policy should then be required to meet with the Honor Code Council.
Additionally, the Academic Outreach Commission noted that some students, specifically first-years, have had difficulties navigating the registration process. As second semester registration is around the corner, they discussed strategies that could help lessen these struggles. One suggestion was to have guides and video tutorials available to walk students through the registration site, course catalog and more. It remains uncertain whether these measures could be put in place in time for upcoming registration.
Senate has been in session for two months now and has continued to add members throughout the fall semester. The SGA now has all its E-Board positions filled. These positions were announced at the start of the senate meeting with Maille Romulus ’24 as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer, Liv Pitcher ’23 as the archivist and Megan Horner ’23 as the chair of committees.
During the open floor, students raised concerns about water-filtered sinks within residence halls. The Ham Hall senator explained their hall’s water filter hasn’t been replaced since the semester began. Though the building does have a water fountain, it’s located in the old dining hall, which students only have access to during M&Cs. Another student mentioned that Buckland Hall has no water fountain at all, nor does it have a filtered tap. However, the SGA E-Board vice president explained that all residence halls have at least one water-filtered tap or a water fountain. The Buckland senator also raised complaints about recent cleanliness problems in the bathrooms, specifically within stalls. Senators were informed that it is best to go to their RF/RA with residence hall related concerns, as they can often handle such matters faster than the SGA can. However, if problems persist they should inform the E-Board, so they can follow up with the correct parties.
Senators also shared some upcoming events. The Ham Hall senator reminded senate that the field hockey season is almost over, with the final game on Saturday, Nov. 1. This Sunday, in addition to being Halloween, is also the date of the flute and violin faculty concert. The performance will be held at 4:00 p.m. in Pratt Music Hall.