This week’s SGA Joint Board Meeting began with a bizarre observation and proposal. Senator Sam Mulopulos ’14 pointed out that last week’s meeting was technically invalid, because Assistant Treasurer Raghav Malik ’13 had been acting as Presiding Officer, a violation of the constitution. Senator Mulopulos proposed voting again on all issues from that meeting, in order to make the results official. The Board voted to move on to new business.
After a brief discussion on the copious dessert consumption of Grinnellians in the Dining Hall, the Board addressed other campus dining issues. Senator Pat Comparin ’13 of the Harm Reduction Committee encouraged students to refrain from 10/10 pregaming in the JRC and to treat all D-Hall workers with respect. Vice President Chris Dorman ’12 reported on the serving size and availability of Outtakes, which will no longer feature bottled water as a drink option.
President Gabe Schechter ’12 spoke to the senators about the importance of meeting attendance, saying that he was disappointed in those who had missed “some of the biggest and most important votes of the year” at the last meeting. (Senator Dylan Gray ‘14 apologized for his absence at the start of the evening.)
“I don’t mind that things got voted down—that’s part of the process. I’m upset that people aren’t even engaged in that process,” said President Schechter. “There is an impeachment proceeding in the Constitution that can always be called into service.”
President Schechter then turned to an even more sober topic: the end of Grinnell sponsored off-campus alcohol use. In recent meetings with administrators, this change in school policy was announced to SGA members.
Some SGA members seemed surprised by the suddenness and finality of this decision, but Vice President Wadzi Motsi ’12 said, “ This conversation has been going on for a very long time, and it’s coming to a head right now. It’s not like they woke up one morning and just decided this.”
Brief Budget News: Holden Bale ’12 requested $750 for the Latin American Dance Club for ten hours of instruction. He said that this money was necessary “because of my obnoxious advertising, which has helped the club grow far beyond my expectations.” His request was unanimously approved.
The organizers of 10/10 requested $660 for the annual party. $25 was earmarked for the purchase of condoms for “safe 10/10 sex,” although there was some discussion among senators over other potential uses. Their request was unanimously approved.
Finally, SGA will be holding a meeting on Grinnell’s Strategic Plan on Monday, October 10 at 8:00PM. All are welcome to discuss changes to the College.
