On Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m., Student Congress held their latest meeting about diverse topics regarding student well-being. The meeting was held in Perry’s board room, focusing on several key issues, including a request for funding, dining services improvements and future initiatives to enhance campus life.
The Student Congress consists of three main committees: the Outreach Committee, the Programming Committee and the Food Committee. The Outreach Committee focuses on advertising and social media efforts, the Programming Committee is responsible for organizing events, and the Food Committee addresses issues related to campus dining. Depending on the topic at hand, these committees take action as they see fit to address student needs.
A significant topic of discussion at the meeting was a student representative presenting a proposal for an alternative fall break trip. The student requested financial support for an Airbnb stay during their break. While Congress agreed to allocate funds, they were bound by the Allocation Handbook, which limits lodging support to $25 per student per night. Due to this restriction, the student received partial funding, but not the full amount requested.
Another major focus of the meeting was dining services, with many students expressing concerns about the Cafeteria and The Den. The main issue discussed was the challenge faced by students who have different commitments that prevent them from attending regular dining hours. To address this, the university has implemented to-go boxes, allowing students to purchase and fill them earlier in the day as a substitute for missed mealtime. Additionally, the long cafeteria lines have been addressed by encouraging students to use multiple serving lines instead of crowding at a single point.
Congress approved the funding for the alternative fall break trip as the primary outcome of the meeting, but several other initiatives were also discussed. One proposal involved the possibility of introducing mobile ordering for The Den, allowing students to place their orders via a device so their food would be ready for pickup upon arrival. Additionally, the Congress is working on a plan to notify students about leftover food from catered events, making it available at designated times and locations.
The committees will continue to address these issues, with the Food Committee meeting weekly with Chef Shaq to discuss any dining-related concerns and proposed changes. As student needs evolve, the Congress remains committed to taking action on matters that affect campus life.
