SG Update 3/30

Academic Advising Goals  

The University Advising Office is updating its procedures and working to improve its relationship with students. Their goal is to provide students with a clear understanding of degree requirements, and to make sure students have the necessary requirements to plan an on-time graduation. This will be done largely through more contact time between advisers and students, including an individual "midpoint" meeting that each student will be required to attend sometime in their fifth or sixth semester.

Center for Spirituality and Religious Life

Monica Sanford, director of the Center for Spirituality and Religious Life, explained her plans to reach out to more students. She stressed that the Center is not solely available for religious or spiritual purposes, but for general assistance and life guidance as well. The Center for Spirituality and Religious Life wants to remind students that they offer confidential counseling and open ears, and are not required to report anything discussed in the Center, making them a perfect confidante.

Lab Research

Facilities Parking and Transportation Committee Chair Bryan Gascon, a third year Management Information Systems major, presented an update regarding Student Government's (SG's) goal to allow 24-hour access to labs across campus. Gascon explained that even though many lab hours have been extended, building access is still limited to early night hours. Therefore, students are unable to access the labs after building closure. 

Polling Place Establishment

RIT is now officially on track to becoming a polling center for the 2018 elections, with the polls set to be located in the Gene Polisseni Center. It should be noted, however, that only students and residents designated to the RIT polling center may cast their votes on campus. Polling places are determined based upon an individual's permanent residence.

President Munson's Strategic Plan

University Council officially endorsed President Munson's strategic plan, with SG representatives present and involved in the decision. However, due to scheduling, SG had been unable to vote on the proposal independently. Senate opened discussion to endorse the plan as a formality. During discussion, NTID Student Congress (NSC) President Franly Ulerio Nunez, a fourth year Biochemistry major, expressed concern with the vague language surrounding Munson's plans to expand opportunities for NTID. Nunez was frustrated that similar statements had been made in years past, yet little significant change has been implemented during the last six years. This time, he wanted more specific objectives listed to better hold the administration accountable for NTID's progress.

SG could not change the language since the resolution has already been passed. However, SG President Farid Barquet, a fourth year Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience and Biomedical Sciences double major, assured Nunez that his concerns would be expressed to Munson and the Board of Trustees, as the Board deliberates their acceptance or rejection of the plan.

SG Election Results

SG Vice President Bobby Moakley, a third year Environmental Science and International Global Studies double major, was elected SG President for the 2018–2019 academic year. His running mate, CAST Senator and fourth year Mechanical Engineering Technology major Corinne Mendieta will be serving as SG  vice president.

The full list of Student Government election results can be found here.