The student news site of Dickinson College.

The Dickinsonian
The student news site of Dickinson College.

The Dickinsonian
The student news site of Dickinson College.

The Dickinsonian

Student Senate

Student Senate Comment Box

Updates from Student Senate (4/1/2025):

Speaker Series: Dr. Rebeiz

  • Arab-American heritage month; 22 countries which are classified as Arab ethnicities.
  • Why don’t we know about Arab-Americans? Old naturalization laws which required “white” as an ethnicity for immigration status. Census didn’t have a category for Arab/Middle Eastern until last year. Arab-Americans become made into enemies after 9/11.
  • When you find the world heavy: allow yourself the tears and the vulnerability.
  • Don’t romanticize activism. Take risks, but you have to show up to it. Study activism and risks from all angles.

Old Business

  • Constitutional Amendments – passed
    • Second reading. Adding liaisons, adding subcommittees. Changing wording. Removing old/outdated terminology.
  • Food Access Over Break – tabled w/o discussion

New Business

  • Club Recognition Process – approved
    • Changes have been made to streamline the process.
  • Bylaws Amendments – approved
    • Changes.
  • HUB Renovations – postponed indefinitely

Comments for the Good of the College

  • Next week Dave Walker and Steve are coming in for the HUB updates. No immediate disruptions to student life.

Updates from Student Senate (3/25/2025):

  • Campus life is Discussing plans for students to be able to receive food support during break
    • Most likely they will be providing students with gift cards to ensure students will not go hungry over the break.
    • The program was supposed to be initiated during this past winter break, however there was a personnel issue.

 

  • Student senate voted on a supplemental email to students, regarding current actions by the Trump administration.
    • They added an additional statement about inclusivity around non-binary students and trans students.
    • The alterations to the email statement passed

Updates from Student Senate (3/19/2025):

 

Old Business

  • Financial Guidelines – approved
    • New financial guidelines for 2025 surrounding travel,  food/non foods events, alcohol, competitions, funded speakers, what senate won’t fund.
      • All with guidelines about the maximum amounts senate will fund.
  • Statement by Senate – approved
    • Reading of the third draft.
  • Use of Allison Hall – tabled
    • Trying to show the school interest in utilizing Allison Hall better.

New Business

  • Additional Statement – re-write and second reading
    • Specifically addressing trans and non-binary students.
  • Reporting Systems on Campus – closed
    • Gathering information on how many people know about ways to report things on campus.
  • First Year Experience – tabled
    • Gathering responses for the First Year Experience committee.

 

Comments for the Good of the College

  • Election packets due 3/22-23.
  • Housing website is up-to-date
  • Housing selections are coming up.

 

 

Divisions

SEE

  • Created a subcommittee for surveying.

ITS

  • Talked about faculty research and mobile computing initiative.

President

  • When people are presenting, stay off devices.
  • HUB updates on 4/1 w/ Dave Walker.

Operations

  • Starting governing document rule reviews.

AIC

  •  Out of Office Hours coming up on 3/31.

CLIC

  •  Arts fest coming up on 3/23.

EIB

  •  International Food Takeover coming up on 4/24.

2025

  • Working on senior week.

2026

  • Partnered with campus life for St. Paddy’s Day Bingo

2027

  • Sophomore Send-off coming up on 4/24.

2028

  • Secured date for field day.

Liaisons

  • Logistics discussions with food services abut food insecurity over break.
  • Sustainability expo coming up on 4/2. 

Updates from Student Senate (2/25/2025):

 

Old Business

  • Fiscal Year ‘26 Budget
    • Final reading next meeting 

New Business

  • Discussion on Red and White Day – closed
    • Event to celebrate school spirit.
    • If you want to help, reach out to athletics.
    • Emailed the Hell Raisers.
    • MOB is interested in being involved.
    • Repost senate marketing.
  • Discussion of Out of Office Hours – closed
    • Professors meet with students in the Caf during advising week.
    • Emphasizing talking to professors rather than just checking in with them.
    • Live music?
  • Discussion on the Senate’s Statement on Minorities Targeted by Trump Administration – tabled
    • Current vs. Trump administration.
    • Over-generalized; statement was originally about trans students and recognizing more than two genders. Essentially says nothing. No other group has been told they don’t exist.
    • Senate feels they should not be playing who-has-it-worse with minorities, supports general statements if they are applicable to the whole college, rather than people that are being specifically targeted.

Comments for the Good of the College

  • Use new Velocity app for Dickinson ride shares.
  • Sign up for the public speaking contest.
  • Opinions on certificates (Food Studies, Health Studies, etc.) 

Divisions

EIB

  • DEI is staying at this institution.

SEE

  • Resources are available in this trying time.

ITS

  • AI Symposium email.

Operations

  • Student Senate elections are coming and will be open during Spring Break.

CLIC

  • Sign up for arts fest if you want to.

2028

  • Field day on April 12th from either noon or one to five.

Updates from Student Senate (2/11/2025):

  • Operations committee is preparing for upcoming student senate elections, applications are on engaged.
  • The Freshman class has finalized their class event which will be a field day on April 12th, held at Morgan field. There will be games and live music!
  • The website created by Freshman class president Barbara Lehman has been completed, and will be going to senate for approval. The website will facilitate a rideshare program between students.
  • A discussion of possible improvements to campus spaces was opened. Various spaces were mentioned, however the discussion focused heavily on improving the Denim basement, HUB Underground and improving advertising for campus community spaces such as the Popel Shaw Center.

Updates from Student Senate (2/4/2025):

Reverend Yvette Davis – Shifting culture at Dickinson (part 2): Working our strategy

  • “We are all swimming in the waters of whiter supremacy. We are all navigating this culture, regardless of our racial identity” – Dr. Tema Okun
    • Prevalent white supremacy behaviors identified on campus last year: perfectionism, sense of urgency, quantity > quality, defensiveness, progress is bigger/more, paternalism, fear of open conflict, objectivity, individualism.
    • Solutions: open panels between faculty and students, creating community spaces, course requirements for inclusivity.

New Business

  • Ride Share Program – further development
    • Current options: D-Pool ride listings (hasn’t been updated since 2021-22), Parents facebook (not accessible by students).
    • Solution: Velocity ride share, new website w/ CSE. For Dickinson students to get rides from other Dickinson students.

Comments for the Good of the College

  • Give dining services feedback.
  • Club squash is meeting on Tuesday and Saturday.
  • Sophomores go to the Sophomore bowl.

Divisions

APS

  • Approved minor changes to the French Studies major.

EIB

  • Cleaned out the meditation room.
  • Landis house opening a prayer room. 

ITS

  • Changing what software Dickinson in providing on personal computers.
  • Dead zones on campus, please email the help desk!
  • Turn off projectors in academic classrooms after using them at night, they burn out.

Operations

  • 2/10 @ 7:00, Senate elections meeting in Althouse.

PR and Marketing

  • Continuing to work on the senate videos.
  • Designing stickers.

Updates from Student Senate (1/28/2025):

Prof. Cheromiah – Guest Speaker

  • What kind of storyteller are you and how do you amplify their story?
  • Grand Canyon metaphor: the work Prof. Cheromiah is doing in Carlisle feels, to her, like standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon.
  • Carlisle Indian School Digital resource Center; preserving and advancing native stories in Carlisle.
  • Building learning spaces where students know they are loved to counter “kill the Indian, save the man”.  

 

New Business

  • Financial Report – discussion closed
    • Cutting Campus Life and Take a Dickinsonian to Lunch funds, increasing Discretionary fund.
  • Invitation to Dave Walker for HUB Update – approved
    • Update on student input during/in renovations. Shorter update/check in with question time.
  • Tony Boston coming to talk about the Distinguished Staff Award – approved
    • Award coming out of the staff forum, bringing additional attention to staff members who made a difference.

 

Comments for the Good of the College

  • Bridge USA chapter founded at Dickinson.
  • Room Freeze period ends the week of 2/3.
  • Dickinson Four initiative supporting experiences at Dickinson.
  • Club Squash having their first practice 1/28.
  • Please use Take a Dickinsonian to Lunch; fill out form on Engaged to use this program to take a staff member/mentor to lunch ($10 voucher per person). 
  • Props to dining services.
  • Any suggestions for food or any comments about food, make it known to dining services via. email.

 

Divisions

EIB

  • Distinguished staff award, MLK/Social Justice Week.
  • Biweekly speakers starting next week.

SEE

  • Interview with Terra Fischer and Melissa Stern-Smith about common campus questions.

ITS

  • AI symposium on 4/14 and 4/15, Mobile Computing Initiative transitioning from stationary to personal computers in classrooms, QR center releasing “Q Fellows” for data analysis. 

Operations

  • Senate interest meeting in Althouse on 2/8.

AIC

  • Dining with the Departments info coming in March/April.

CLIC

  • Arts Fest preparations.

PR and Marketing

  • Activities fair results, stickers for voting at senate elections.

Financial Strategy

  • Launching a new fund for fundraising.

Class of 2027

  • Sophomores go to sophomore bowl.

Updates from Student Senate (12/3/2024):

  • Dickinson Core Values Project Announcement and FAQ – Prof. Amy McKiernan
    • The college currently doesn’t have institutional or core values; new ones will not interfere with the code of conduct.
    • Want 3-5 institutional core values and wish to crowdsource them from the community: taking a grassroots approach and searching the archives.
    • Core values will help contribute to the college; ability to lift up people, ideas, and projects as in accordance with the core values.
    • Proposed values will be voted on in Spring of 2026 after research, analysis, focus groups, and public comment.
  • New Business
    •  GPA and Conduct Requirements and Prior Service to Run for Student Government – discussion closed
    • Value in including a GPA/conduct requirement to affirm being a good student is the priority.
    • Student Government Requirements to Run for Executive Board – discussion closed
    • One semester in student government before becoming an executive board member.
  • Divisions
    • APS
      • Minor requirement changes in STEM majors; making it easier to meet requirements.
    • ITS
      • Officially switching to D2L from Moodle; slowly integrating into classes over the next years.
    • PR and Marketing
      • Still doing newsletter.
    • Financial Strategy
      • First round table of the school year tonight (12/3).

Updates from Student Senate (11/19/2024):

  • The “Take a Dickinsinian to Lunch” Program is live!
    • This program is for students to be able to take a mentor from the Dickinson community to lunch in Carlisle! This mentor can be faculty, staff or a student in a mentor role!
  • “Raza Unida”, a campus organization received Senate recognition.
    • Raza Unida is a group on campus, sponsored by the Popel Shaw Center that promotes community, career and networking opportunities for Hispanic students. In the past this group has been officially recognized, but on Tuesday they were given the Senate’s official recognition and funding.
  • The Dining Hall  will be hosting their annual holiday dinner December 9th.
  • A planning committee has been formed to arrange study break events for finals week.
  • Senate is currently brainstorming ways to increase attendance for the Men’s record breaking soccer game.
  • If you are interested in receiving a Senate News Letter, please check the Senate Instagram story where the signup link can be found.
  • Senate will not be meeting next week due to the holiday break.

Updates from Student Senate (11/12/2024):

Information Technology Services Committee – Jill Forester and ITSC

  • No great avenues for getting student input in technology on campus; this is changing.
  • Implementation of a student advisory board focused on technology on campus.
  • Twice a semester meetings directly with ITS; structured way that students can communicate with ITS.
  • Looking at weather or not students know how to get help, student opinions on systems, AI, Wi-Fi connectivity, and how the college should improve technology services.

 

Old Business

  •  WGRC Financial Contribution Resolution – approved
    • Minor wording changes.
  • Elimination of Plastic Bags Resolution – approved
    • Change in wording.
  • Club Recognition Process – approved
    • Changes in wording.
    • Immediate implementation approved.
  • Raza Unida –  tabled

 

New Business

  • New Clubs That Want to be Senate Recognized
    •   Talk about when to start, how many clubs per meeting, and giving them money.
  • Lunch with Pres. Jones

 

Divisions

APS

  • Approved a new Middle East studies minor.

ITS

  • Contact ITS with tech problems; use the help desk.

Operations

  •  Senate Election info for the next academic year will be available next semester.

CLIC

  • Finished survey, streamlining data.

EIB

  • More info on speaker series soon; changes next semester.

PR and Marketing

  • Email newsletters.

Finance

  • Sending financial info to clubs on November 25th.

Financial Strategy

  • Round table schedule minor changes.

Updates from Student Senate (11/5/2024):

  • The “Love Bucks” program has been approved, and there will be more discussions in the coming weeks over publicity for the program.
  • The resolution for the funding allocated to the WGRC program for free period products in all campus restrooms was passed.
    • There was a change to the final resolution regarding  where the funding would be withdrawn from. Originally it was planned to be withdrawn from both the activities fund and sinking fund, however after some discussion senate voted to take the entirety of the funding from the sinking fund
  • The Greek Life Expansion Committee announced they are conducting preliminary meetings regarding the opening of a traditionally Jewish fraternity chapter on campus.
  • A motion to bring back support for a ban on the use of plastic bags on campus was introduced.
    • In 2019 student senate voted to ban campus retail locations, such as the Book Store and Devil’s Den from using plastic bags. However, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic this program loss support. Student Senate will continue to discuss this motion over the coming weeks.
  • A discussion over whether to change the number of Student Senate meetings was introduced, to accommodate the inclusion of more speakers.
    • There is the possibility of having additional Senate meetings that the student population would be encouraged to attend and have easier access to the information given by the speakers.
  • The Sophomore class is hosting a Fall Festival on Saturday November 9th at Morgan field from 1-4. All students are welcome to attend.

Updates from Student Senate (10/29/2024):

Burgess Institute (for the Global Economy) Presentation – Prof. Steve Riccio

  • The Burgess Institute is open for all students, not just International Business and Management majors.
  • Observing capitalism from a critical viewpoint; student-operated.
  • Affiliated courses have a leadership aspect, an experiential aspect, and a global aspect, and have been redesigned to fit the institute’s goals; developing a Certificate in Leadership Foundations projected launch in the spring. 
  • Executives in Residence – bringing alumni onto campus to teach. 

Menstrual Product Dispenser Implementation Presentation – Dr. Kate Schweighofer

  • Proposal designed for the administration, which is that all women’s and inclusive bathrooms will have products in them in all academic buildings, the HUB, and Klein.
  • Integrating menstrual products into the permanent systems of the college.
  • Financial aspects have been integrated into the system, which will transfer to Facilities after this year, but Student Senate has to cover it this year.
  • Eco-friendly, offers one size for both pads and tampons (meant for emergency needs).

Support for Menstrual Products

  • Discussion topics:
    • Where is the money coming from?
      • Not compromising spring WGRC events.
      • Engaging a conversation with other clubs to help fund the products.
  • Vote for a resolution to pull $3,000 from the senate sinking fund for the products: passed.

Take a Dickinsonian to Lunch

  •  Second reading of the resolution.
  • Vote on the resolution: passed.

 New Business

  • Club Recognition Process
    • Reorganizing how Senate and Campus Life go about the process: tabled

Divisions

SEE

  • Goal of less disturbance in Britton during renovations.

ITS

  • Working on building student tech advisory committee.

Operations

  • Trial running print agendas. 

EIB

  • Talked about retention in their last meeting.

PR and Marketing

  • New 101 things to do.

Finance

  • Update on Round Table schedule for December (club financing).

Updates from the latest Student Senate meeting (3/28/23):

🌟AIC: close to finalizing the provost search, and the director of academics will be announced soon.

🌟ELC: currently accepting applications for the arts festival.

🌟IIC: working to distribute menstrual products throughout campus.

🌟Club Finance will be going over budgets for next years clubs.

🌟Operations will hold a training retreat for all of Student Senate on Sunday from 10 am-2 pm, located in Allison Hall. Attendance must be confirmed in advance.

🌟The Class of 2023 is planning for senior portraits.

🌟The Class of 2025 is planning for a sophomore send-off on April 13.

🌟Bao Tran, Director of Financial Strategy, presented the first reading of the budget.

Total expenses from the Spring 2023 roundtable meetings amount to $495,550.00, with $360,000.00 coming from the student activities fee and $135,550.00 from reserves.

🌟Burrough ambassador discussed Carlisle Burrough sidewalk maintenance issues, providing information on inspections and maintenance programs.

🌟The Burrough ambassador position is open until April 3, contact Anne Fisher-Henson ([email protected]) for more details.

 

Res life Open Forum (3/28/23):

Student Life includes Residence Life, Conduct, Public Safety (DPS), Campus Life, Wellness Center, Care Team, and First-Year Orientation.

🚔 Dee Danser, Director of Public Safety, shared important updates on crime logs, CPD on campus, and self-defense programming.

  • A daily crime log is available on DPS website, which includes noise complaints, disorderly conduct, and car accidents. This information is available 3 months back, but more reports can accessed upon request.
  • DPS updates and news will be available through a new Instagram account run by two students
  • Students can request to do a ride-along with DPS to see a typical night for officers, just email Dee at [email protected]
  • CPD (Carsile Police Department) only comes to campus when called by DPS, and DPS calls CPD more often than vice versa
  • 95% of campus noise complaints are from students, and 5% are from non-affiliated neighbors
  • Students can file a complaint about public safety through the DPS page on Dickinson’s website, which gets reviewed by DPS, George Stroud, and the vice-president
  • There used to be a class called RAD for self-defense, but it had issues such as being time-consuming and women-only, now Students can access free resources at TrainToFightBack.com.

🍺 The relationship between DPS and Liquor Control Enforcement (LCE) was discussed, including how to handle LCE if they show up on campus unannounced.

  • LCE is a branch of the state police that reports to the state police, and they are known for targeting “soft spaces,” such as college campuses
  • Their goal is primarily to make arrests related to alcohol violations.
  • LCE is allowed to show up unannounced on campus, but they are not allowed to be on campus property. So they can only remain on sidewalks. DO NOT RUN FROM LCE. They are allowed to and will chase you down.
  • DPS and Student Life offices can complain about LCE, but they have no control over them. If students have complaints, they can call 911. LCE officers have also been accused of physically harming and harassing both officers and students, leading to complaints from DPS officers.

📱 If you’re dealing with cyberbullying on Yik Yak, report it to DPS who will assist with finding the person responsible.

🏠 Angie Harris, Associate VP of Student Life, shared information on housing selection for the now passed room selection.

Student Senate (3/21/23):

Senate discussed a few of these upcoming projects:

  1. Reopening the climbing wall in collaboration with climbing club, pending a costly inspection.
  2. Distributing menstrual products throughout campus in collaboration with Random Acts of Kindness.
  3. Distributing Narcan via the Wellness Center pending educational lessons.
  4. Considering the creation of a new role in the Student Senate, such as a Health and Wellness Liaison, to broaden representation
  5. Incorporate Title IX training into the Code of Ethics for student senators.
  6. Discussing the need for a closer relationship between the Title IX office and Student Senate, and exploring the possibility of providing training for student senators on how to support students who face challenges related to Title IX.

🌟Carlisle Student Bureau Ambassador position open, contact Anne Fisher-Henson ([email protected]) for more details. Application is due March 26th.

🌟Navigate tool is being selectively rolled out to help students navigate college life

  1. Navigate is a tech advisor to all students,  especially useful for first-year students
  2. It helps students tackle the challenges they typically face as they navigate their transition into college
  3. The tool provides access to many different resources via a mobile device and web version

🌟AIC continues Provost and Director of Academic searches.

🌟The Financial Committee mentioned ongoing work on financial strategy, which was not elaborated upon further.

🌟CLIC updates: on Red and White Day and Art Festival promotion, and need for a representative for Round Table meetings

🌟Class of 2025: successful sophomore event and upcoming send-off

🌟Class of 2023:

  1. April 28: Pints with Profs in Social hall 4:30-6:30
  2. Red and White tailgate

Student Senate (3/7/23):

🌟President Jones Open Forum. Check Below for a more detailed summary.

🌟AIC: the vacant director of academics position will be filled though application based submissions (check the Senate Engaged page). Applications are due 3/21.

🌟Club Finance: Club budget deadline reminder.

🌟PR and Marketing: Plans to create welcoming video for the Dickinson class of 2027.

🌟Class of 2023: Coordinating with Athletic Department and SAAC for Red and White day.

🌟Class of 2025: Sophomore class event (3/9/23) from 7pm-9pm in the Social Hall.

🌟Senate voted on the Leadership Recognition Award Nominees. Recognition Ceremony announcing winners is April 24.

🌟Dickinson Workers Party club recognition passes. Workers Party is now a Senate Recognized club!

🌟Wear red/gear day every Friday!

President Jones Open Forum (3/7/23):

During President Jones’ talk, he discussed various issues related to the college’s finances and infrastructure. He mentioned that while the college has a $630 million endowment, it is still tuition-dependent, leading to some necessary budget cuts. One concern raised by students was the increase in tuition without a corresponding increase in student wages. President Jones promised to discuss this matter with the CFO.

Another issue that was brought up was the poor Wi-Fi on campus. President Jones had not heard of this problem before and plans to contact the head of IT to improve the situation. Students also voiced concerns about accessibility issues on campus. President Jones urged students to write to him with specific complaints, and acknowledged that some of the issues may involve the Carlisle borough.

President Jones also discussed the ongoing renovations of the HUB, the college’s central hub for student activities and dining. The current dining hall was built for a student body population of 1600, while the current population is 2300. The new HUB will feature a variety of micro-restaurants and a “farm to table” experience, as well as increased staffing to accommodate the larger space and student population.

Students also asked about off-campus housing options, and President Jones explained that the college needs to fill all current dorms before considering investing in more properties.

President Jones also talked about the possibility of partnering with local restaurants to address issues with the college’s dining services, but cited logistical problems as an issue with idea. The college also wants to improve student opinion with dining services before outsourcing food options.

Finally, he mentioned plans to revisit the swipe system at the Denim dining location at the send of this semester.

Student Senate (2/28/23):

🌟 Tony Boston, the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Dickinson, spoke on the importance of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice, and shared ways for students to get involved in promoting these values on campus. Check Below for a more detailed summary.

🌟 The ITS team to debut to use a new system called Navigate, which will help communication between students and their advisors. Laptops are available to students every semester, and can be picked up in the library.

🌟 Club budgets are due this Friday (3/3), unless a club has special permissions from financial office.

🌟 The Financial Strategy team is working to allocate this years budgets

🌟 New club voted Into Senate recognition: Korean Student Association hopes to promote Korean culture on Dickinson’s campus. They plan to host events with traditional food, beverages, and crafts.

Student Senate Election Results (3/6/23):

President: Katarina Swendrowski

Chief of Staff: Clara Blackwell

Director of Campus Life and Initiatives: Claire Wayne

Director of Equity and Inclusivity: Kayla Slomeana

Director of Club Finance: Martina Fernandez Bevk

Director of Financial Strategy: Ashley Kim

Director of PR and Marketing: Ishrak Zaman

APSC Senator: Alexis Boseman, Lia Jefferson

Class of 2026 President: Anna Purvis

Class of 2025 President: Angela Abinales

Class of 2024 President: Deon Rosado

Director of Academics: Vacant

Tony Boston Open Forum (2/28/23):

Tony Boston, the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Dickinson, gave an open forum talk at the student senate meeting. During his talk, he discussed the terminology used in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, including definitions for diversity, inclusion, belonging, equity, justice, and mattering. He also talked about the different phases of cultural change that affect an institution, division, department, and individual, as well as ways to engage in equity and inclusivity efforts.

Boston also provided information about the importance of reviewing processes and thinking about equity and inclusion efforts at the individual, department, division, and institution-level.

He also introduced the Bias Response Team and encouraged students to reach out to one of the six directors (listed below) in the division or to himself for more information or to get involved in equity and inclusivity efforts.

  • Center for Spirituality & Social Justice (CSSJ): J. Cody Nielsen, Director
  • Asbell Center for Jewish Life: Marley Weiner, Director
  • Office of LGBTQ Services: Todd Nordgren, Director
  • Popel Shaw Center for Race & Ethnicity (PSC): Yvette Davis, Director
  • Women’s & Gender Resource Center (WGRC): K. Schweighofer, Director
  • Bias Education & Response Team (BERT): Yvette Davis, BERT Chair