On Sunday, the Senate convened for their weekly meeting to discuss recent conflicts on campus and upcoming initiatives.

Undergraduate Representatives to the Board of Trustees Grady Ward ’16 and Mohamed Sidique ’15 began the meeting by speaking to the Senate about the upcoming Board meeting that will be held this week. Grady and Sidique said they are open to suggestions about what to talk about, including sharing student views about what qualities the next University president should embody with the Board. Many of these views were shared at a forum held last Thursday, and Senator-at-Large Naomi DePina ’16 reiterated her views that the next president should “be open to diversity.” Student Union Chief of Staff Flora Wang ’15 then discussed several recent campus conflicts, including the recent incident at Cholmondeley’s Coffee House and the debate over the space that the Women’s Resource Center occupies. Wang said that while there are many details that students cannot know due to privacy issues, the administration is working to resolve the conflicts and trying to get to a point where people can agree.

Wang also discussed additions to the upcoming ’Deis Day, which will take place on April 19, and general space allocation in the Shapiro Campus Center. Lastly, Wang addressed the recent meal plan announcement, saying that many students are trying to put together an event next Tuesday to discuss the meal plan options.

Next, the Senate went through the process of recognizing and chartering clubs. The first group to present was the Greek Awareness Council, who wanted recognition as a club from the Student Union. The club was approved for recognition with a vote of 14 in favor, two abstains and three against. The second club was BeWise, which wanted chartering from the Student Union. The club was approved for chartering with a unanimous vote of 19 in favor.

Student Union Vice President Charlotte Franco ’15 then discussed the recent elections and their results, saying that Vice President-elect Dennis Hermida-Gonzales ’16 is now in training and should be contacted with any questions. Also mentioned were the new round of elections to be held Wednesday, with new senators coming in next week.

The Senate then voted on two Senate Money Resolutions, which were both approved, and a new by-law amendment proposed by North Quad Senator Lorenzo Finamore ’18, which was approved with a vote of 13 in favor, two abstains and zero against. The Senate will vote on another by-law amendment next week.

Finally, the Senate Committee Chairs gave reports on upcoming events and plans. The Services and Outreach Committee discussed the updated Senate Money Resolution for the Midnight Buffet and the increased outreach they hope to accomplish through their Facebook page. The Club Support Committee discussed the introduction of mandatory bystander training and increasing club accountability, and the Social Justice and Diversity Committee discussed their upcoming social justice poetry slam.

—Rachel Sharer