STORY BY BETH LEVALLEY
The Student Senate approved two funding requests from organizations on campus.
The Senate approved St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Student Center’s plans to hold a two night Koinonia Retreat at the St. Thomas Retreat Center in Penora, Iowa.
Because of recent renovations at St. Kate’s church, the student center was approved for a $2,372 request.
The retreat plans to send around 40 students for the weekend to live in cabin-like atmosphere. Students attending will contribute $25 for food and other accommodations.
“I love that you’re creating your own retreat,” Sen. Ben Verhasselt said. “Often times we send people away to other conferences, but I’m glad you’re keeping something close to home, and I’m excited to see what you bring back.”
The Student Senate also approved a request from the Student College of Clinical Pharmacy to bring Dr. William Evans to campus on March 12.
Evans was a pharmacist at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in the 1980s. He is the former director and CEO of St. Jude’s Hospital and in the top one percent of scientific authors of the world.
The Senate was surprised to learn that Evans is not charging a speaking fee. However, the college is requesting only $749 for transportation and lodging costs.
“You are so passionate and so well-spoken, and I think I am not the only one that agrees with this,” Sen. Krysta Thomason said.
Dean of Students Sentwali Bakari also joined the Student Senate meeting on Thursday. He had mentioned in an earlier meeting a goal to produce a online course about sexual assault before fall registration, which happens at the end of March.
This will be pushed back until next fall, during the spring class registration.
“We were looking to hold fall registration until students took it,” Bakari said. “We decided it would be rushed to have it done well, and we want to make sure it’s done properly.”
Bakari also mentioned there are prizes listed on the student services webpage for those taking the financial literacy program.
This program will educate students about student loans, banking, credit cards and other crucial financial information.
“There’s a national conversation about debt going on, and there are statistics that the more information students are given, the better off they are,” Bakari said.
President Joey Gale thanked the Senate for their support during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit.
Vice President of Student Life Josh Duden reiterated those words, referencing Vice President Biden.
“Joe Biden never said anything bad about another Republican.,” Duden said. “He complimented them and said they were wonderful people to work with. I think we can translate that to Senate. Even though we may disagree, we can still get lunch afterwards and think we’re good people.”
Duden also explained his goal to restructure the Senate.
The Senate will discuss this more in detail at a later date, but he hopes to create subcommittees that oversee certain aspects of campus.
“This allows us to be supportive of one another,” Duden said. “We’ll be able to leave a legacy at Drake University.”
