Mason Bennett – News Editor

mxb5302@psu.edu

Student Government Association members met for their general meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20, and discussed ideas for repurposing John M. Lilley Library.

During the open forum, Vice President Luke Warner invited students in attendance to provide ideas regarding the repurposing of sections within the library on campus.

“The gentleman who came and spoke to us about the library is again seeking our help; he’s looking for ideas,” Warner said. “Let’s face it, none of us are going to the library unless we have an English 15 paper to write.”

The conversation began when the Assistant Director for Adult and Transfer Students, Aaron Sanner, attended the organization’s first meeting of the semester.

“Maybe pool tables or bean bag chairs to make a cool hangout spot … anything like that,” Warner said.

Sanner approached SGA members for their input, President Matthew Strupczewski said.

“The university is repurposing the library because they’re acknowledging that it’s not used or cared about in a traditional sense,” Strup said.

Secretary of Academic Affairs Nathan Murarik said some areas of the library see more activity than others.

“I do see people frequently using the study rooms, me being one of them,” Murarik said. “I don’t see too many people on the top floor, so half of that floor could be repurposed for something else.”

University Faculty Senate Representative Mitchel Ray noted that a restaurant may attract more students to the library.

“I think if you put a Starbucks somewhere in the library there would be more foot traffic,” Ray said.

Murarik asked attendees if Behrend’s science building would serve as a better location for a new dining area.

“Is OBS (Otto Behrend Science Building) getting a food hall again more important than the library?” Murarik said. “Which one would be used more?”

Murarik went on to say that, if the organization had to choose between the two locations, OBS would likely take precedence.

In other business, board members 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.

“It was never supposed to turn into a full-time cabinet spot,” Warner said. “Commuters felt like there was no outreach for them on campus, so it became an ad-hoc kind of thing.”

Board members tabled Amendment S.R. 22-23.03. The amendment acknowledges that the organization’s current constitution supersedes previous versions of the document.

“The current constitution is dated from December of last year,” Strup said. “We do this to cover all our bases.”

The board elected and swore-in two students to serve as First Year Senators during an in-house election: Computer Engineering Major Negein Immen and Biology, Pre Med Major Anusha Rai.

The role of First Year Senators, broadly, is to represent the interests and opinions of first-year students. The Senators are also responsible for communicating SGA issues and activities to first year students. Senators will retain their positions until the end of the academic year.

Each candidate was given two minutes to introduce themselves and speak on their qualifications.

“I think I’d be a great addition to the SGA because I consider myself very ambitious and determined,” Rai said. “I’m already involved in the Budget Committee as well.”

Prior to the vote, club members posed questions to the candidates.

“I think my biggest weakness is my kindness. I’m very kind and sometimes people take advantage of me for that,” Rai said.

Rai is particularly interested in working with the Academic Affairs Committee.

Following questions, SGA members discussed Rai’s credentials as they relate to the position.

“Do you think she’ll be able to manage her time well? She mentioned she’s involved with many extracurriculars,” Senator Hunter Kamensky said.

Chief of Staff Michal Bosek shared his opinion on the matter.

“It’s manageable. I don’t foresee it being an issue,” Bosek said.

Rai was elected with a vote of 17-0.

Immen, who serves as the organization’s Webmaster, is involved with other clubs on campus, including Computer Engineering Club and the Materials and Manufacturing Group.

“I’m really getting to meet everyone in the community and I think I greatly represent everyone at Behrend,” Immen said.

The candidate addressed her strengths and weaknesses.

“I’m a pretty good listener … like a sponge, I absorb information easily,” Immen said. “I can be too detail-oriented at times. I lose myself in the little things.”

Bosek attested to Immen’s superb learning style.

“I told her how to make the (PowerPoint) slides once and she was able to recreate it from then on. I didn’t have to correct anything,” Bosek said.

Lion Entertainment Board Executive Director, Cindy Wu, echoed this point.

“She’s really bright and easy to work with. You never have to repeat anything a second time with her,” Wu said. “I think she’ll make a great addition to SGA.”

Immen was elected with a vote of 17-0.

A third candidate, Natalia Gallardo, was not elected as a First Year Senator due to her absence from the meeting.

In executive board reports, Strup said the first Food Task Force meeting with Housing and Food Services Director Mike Lindner will be on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 1:10 p.m. in Bruno’s Café. During the meetings, which typically occur once a month, students address their concerns regarding food-related issues on campus.

All students are welcome to attend the Food Task Force meetings. Students interested in attending should email SGA President Matthew Strupczewski at mls6802@psu.edu prior to the meeting.
In other business, Warner made a statement regarding SGA’s signage around campus.

“Please tell the clubs involved in Multicultural Council (MCC) that they cannot put their posters on bulletins reserved for SGA,” Warner said. “It has happened many times now.”

Warner clarified his request.

“I’m not mad at anybody … just so people know they can’t do that,” Warner said.

Board members approved the meeting minutes from Thursday, Oct. 13.

The next Student Government Association general meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m. in Reed 114.