On Sunday, the Senate convened for its first meeting of the semester to recognize several clubs and check in with ongoing initiatives.

Student Union President Sneha Walia ’15 began the meeting by announcing that Secretary Charlotte Franco ’15 would fill in as Student Union vice president for the duration of the meeting, in light of Sofía Mühlmann’s ’16 recent resignation.

The Senate next heard updates from Grady Ward ’16, junior representative to the Board of Trustees, and Emily Conrad ’16, director of academic affairs. Ward announced that he was able to review the Integrated Financial and Strategic Plan, which will be part of the next University Board of Trustees meeting. 

Conrad spoke briefly about an upcoming three-day volunteer trip to work with children in the Prospect Hill development.

The Fitness Club approached the Senate seeking to change its name to the Health and Fitness Club. The club also sought to make an amendment to its constitution regarding a disclaimer clause that stated it was unqualified to train anyone. 

The Senate voted to allow both the amendment and the name change.

The Private Equity and Venture Capital Club asked the Senate for recognition and chartering. 

After a brief discussion over whether the club violated the duality of purpose clause, the Senate voted to grant recognition. 

The club also sought charter to fund refreshments during speaker events. The Senate denied the club charter.

Representatives from an aspiring on-campus magazine called Jaded approached the Senate for charter and recognition, explaining their goal to publish pieces written from the immigrant perspective. 

The Senate voted in favor of recognition and voted to grant charter.

Food Recovery Network, a club dedicated to donating uneaten dining hall food, sought charter. The club was previously denied charter on the grounds that it needed to meet with Sodexo, the University’s food supplier. The club met with Sodexo and also formed a partnership with the Salvation Army on Moody Street, and the Senate voted to grant charter.

Franco then discussed the upcoming Student Union election, noting that the vice president, Ziv Quad senator, Rosenthal Quad senator and midyear senator positions are open and will hopefully be filled.

Class of 2016 Senator Nyah Macklin and Off-Campus Senator Mary Michalos ’16 also spoke about the upcoming school-wide ski and snowboarding trip, which will take place during the weekend of March 27. 

According to Michalos, the tickets will cost approximately $226 and will go on sale some time in the next few weeks. 

The Senate also discussed Ward’s successful efforts to open the library at 9 a.m., ongoing efforts to update both the Student Union’s Facebook events page and its website, the Union’s Relay for Life team, better publicizing of Student Union office hours, possibly forming a connection between the Foster Mods and the Cat Connection—a no-kill animal shelter—and planning the masquerade-themed first-year formal.

—Abby Patkin