Student Council met on Sunday, Jan. 29 to discuss new plans for diversity and inclusion efforts by the Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, class committee projects and Hazing Prevention Week.
The Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has many exciting new projects for the spring semester, including an anonymous virtual suggestion box. Students can voice their thoughts about diversity and justice so that the committee can best advocate for minority groups on campus. If students have any other questions or ideas, they can email the Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to volunteer and get more information.
The Safety and Wellness Committee noted that last week’s STI clinic at Cox Health and Counseling Center was a success, and Kenyon will be improving access to free period products around campus this semester. Committee Chairperson Madelin Vandeberg ’25 also shared that the Cox Health and Counseling Center and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will partner to host two workshops this month directed primarily at BIPOC students, although all students are welcome to attend. The first workshop, “Letting Go of the Imposter,” is on Thursday. “If you are a group on campus interested in a well-being session, please reach out to Wellness Kenyon,” Vandeberg said.
Student Council has many committees promoting Hazing Prevention Week. The Kenyon Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (KSAAC) will be giving out stickers and T-shirts. All members and potential new members of Greek organizations on campus were required to attend a talk hosted by the Greek Council, the Office of Student Engagement and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities called “Five Great Hazing Myths.”
Many more Kenyon athletics events are happening in the upcoming month. On February 1, KSAAC hosted Weaver Wednesday, which was sports trivia themed. There are new promotions from Kenyon Fitness and Recreation like the “New Year, New Moves” giveaway, which motivates students to be active members of the Lowry Center with rewards like the FitBit Sense Smart Watch or Mebak Percussive Massage Gun. There is also a new spring schedule for Kenyon Fit classes such as cardio and yoga. Students can sign up through the Kenyon Fit app if they are members of the Lowry Center.
Senior Class President Prince Adablah ’23 reported that the email for Fandango registration has been sent out and that seniors can also use the QR codes located on flyers around campus to access the registration form. The Senior Class Committee will be tabling in the atrium of Peirce Dining Hall on Friday. Junior Class President Faiz Rasool ’24 said that the theme for the junior class party is red and black. An email will be sent out later this week with sign up forms, and juniors should sign up quickly because there are only 250 spots available, Rasool said.
The Buildings, Grounds and Sustainability Committee is continuing to seek information about lighting issues on campus. “Some of where we understand there to be a lack of lighting is part of the Village of Gambier, so it has to go through the village administrator,” Committee Chairperson Sally Smith ’23 said.
As a reminder, Student Council President Ubongabasi Asuquo ’23 said her office hours are on Mondays and Thursdays in Peirce and students can sign up online.
The next Student Council meeting will be held on Sunday at 7 p.m. in Chalmers 302. All students are welcome to attend either in person or remotely.