Story by Hannah Keisker
First-year Nathan Jacobson was initiated into Student Senate Oct. 10 in Olmsted Center to give first-year students a voice in Senate.
Jacobson, a law, politics, and society and philosophy double major, said he ran because he wanted to be someone who could represent the first-year class and have the opportunity to work under upperclassmen.
“Not only that, but it would provide a lot of good leadership opportunities for me and establishing my name on campus and also meeting a lot of other first-years that I don’t think I probably would’ve gotten to meet had I not been in this position,” Jacobson said.
Daniel Scheetz, a junior music education and music theory double major, was elected to Senate last year. He explained that the election took longer this year because of the run-off election.
“I think he (Jacobson) will do well. He’s seems like a go-getter, and usually the first-year senators are because they want the position,” Scheetz said. “I can see him doing a lot of things.”
Jacobson said his platform as first-year senator focuses on listening to students’ questions and concerns.
“Making sure that I always take others’ needs before mine in regards to addressing a problem and this school and making sure they feel comfortable at this school because that is the most important thing,” Jacobson said.
The Senate also discussed the 50 Strategic Goals, which will be placed in various places around campus.
Scheetz explained that these goals will hold the Senate accountable and inform the student body about what they do.
“In previous Student Senates, they basically did their thing—they worked hard and did all the things that were listed or similar items that were listed on the 50 Strategic Goals, but it wasn’t vocalized. So a lot of the times it was misconceived that Drake Student Senate didn’t do anything,” Scheetz said.
Scheetz said these goals were a collaboration of ideas that were pertinent to each senator position.
Jacobson said these goals show the student body that the Student Senate is making progress.
Sodexo general manager Dannie Crozier announced that chef Francisco “Paco” Manzano from Madrid will visit Drake University next Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18.
“We don’t see this very often. It’s the first time–I’ve been around off and on since 2000–at Drake and this has never happened. So it’s pretty cool and we hope to get a lot of participation,” Crozier said.
Jacobson said he’s really excited for the chef to come and he hopes it gains popularity because it is such a special opportunity.
“I think it will really add a variety to Hubbell and attract more people there. I think it’s a great way to make sure that students can have a variety of food—especially good food that we wouldn’t normally get to have on a weekly basis,” Jacobson said.
The events will include “A Taste of Spain,” featuring Spanish tapas on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m, “Lunch with Chef Paco” on Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and a cooking lesson with Chef Paco from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday evening.
