Mason Bennett – Staff Writer

mxb5302@psu.edu

Student Government Association members met for their general meeting on Thursday, Oct. 13, to vote on a variety of agenda items and to listen to student concerns.

Ramish Karim, a junior environmental science major, raised concerns regarding the lack of vegan and vegetarian food options at Behrend’s dining facilities.

“Since I live on campus, my food options are limited to Bruno’s and Dobbins,” Karim said. “The problem is, I’m a very strict vegetarian.”

Karim went on to say he is experiencing hardship as a result of limited food variety on campus.

“It’s been really difficult. I’m eating food that I would never normally eat and not receiving a well-balanced diet,” Karim said. “I’d like to see more vegetarian options and protein sources.”

SGA President Matthew Strup encouraged Karim to raise his concerns to Housing and Food Services Director Mike Lindner at the first Food Task Force meeting. He noted that the meeting will be open to Behrend students outside of the organization.

In other business, the board approved the French and Francophone Club proposal with a vote of 13-0.

Club President Mikayla MacQuarrie said the purpose of the club is to enhance student’s knowledge of French culture.

“I would like to bring this club to campus so we can explore the diversity and plurality of French and Francophone cultures,” MacQuarrie said.

Francophone, she said, is an all-inclusive term for any French-speaking country.

“We’ve been meeting every Thursday for the past six weeks to practice French conversations. Anyone is welcome to join,” MacQuarrie said.

Board members approved to allocate funds to the following student organizations with a vote of 13-0: 

Alpha Phi Omega, APO hoedown, $2,750

Biology Club, fire with the professors, $338.89

Chess Club, chess tournament and openings night, $142.92 and $49.35, respectively

Disc Golf Club, regional disc golf tournament, $587.59

Greener Behrend, Behrend County Fair, $3,141.45

Lion Ambassadors, midnight bingo pop-up table and parents-family alumni weekend bingo, $1,000 and $1,090.50, respectively

Math Club, pumpkin carving, $141.76

Model UN Behrend, internal model NATO debate, $1,250

Random Acts of Kindness, RAK, holiday tree and finals week survival kit, $55.97 and $387.79, respectively

Robotics, URC workshop, chalkbot open workshop and t-shirt launching robot open workshop, $215.10, $1,224.09 and $126.46, respectively

Society of Automotive Engineers, SEMA trip, $3,050.04

SGA, DEI committee disability button project, $550

South Asian Student Organization, tambola game night, $109.30

Student Nursing Association of Pennsylvania, march for babies, $249.70

Board members approved the in-house election packet for the 2022 Fall semester. The election, which will be on Thursday, Oct. 20, serves to fill remaining vacancies within the organization.

The board approved Amendment S.R. 22.23-02. The amendment removes the Committee Affairs Cabinet position within the organization.

“The role has become irrelevant because there’s a full-time commuter coordinator on campus now,” Strup said. “We’re grouping it under the Student Affairs Committee.”

The Student Affairs Committee will absorb the responsibilities once held by committee affairs, Strup said.

“They will still be able to hold events for commuters if they want,” Strup said.

In council reports, Lion Entertainment Board Executive Director Cindy Wu reminded students that the Multicultural Council Harambee Dinner is a formal event and requires formal attire.

In cabinet reports, Public Relations Cabinet Aubrey Decker encourages students to follow SGA on their Instagram page @behrend_sga

Academic Affairs Cabinet Nathan Murarik said he scheduled a meeting with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Pamela Silver regarding Canvas structure mandates for instructors.

“Some instructors don’t use Canvas at all,” Strup said.

Strup encouraged students to take the Food and Housing Survey from the Housing and Food Services Office.

“It’s long, so make sure you budget your time to be able to take it. The more people that take it, the better,” Strup said.

The next SGA meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. in Reed 114.