Student Council met on Sunday night to discuss the College’s environmental literacy statement, the Business and Finance Committee’s (BFC) recent supplemental hearing and upcoming class events.
Acting Provost Sheryl Hemkin attended the meeting to share a draft of an environmental literacy statement. “It would be great if this statement helped prompt the development of more classwork that could enhance environmental knowledge, experience, etc. However we were also imagining this statement to prompt actions outside of the academic division as well,” Hemkin wrote in an email to the Collegian. She noted that this could include orientation or student affairs activities that seek to develop environmental literacy. The statement will now be on its way to Campus Senate and Staff Council following the Student Council’s endorsement.
Vice President for Business and Finance Melissa Nixon ’23 also shared the report from the BFC’s recent supplemental hearing. All of the organizations that attended the hearing received the full funds that they requested except for Adelante, which requested $1,460 for an outdoor movie screening and movie rights as well as decorations and sound techs for a formal. The organization was denied funds for the movie-related requests because it has been granted funds for similar requests in the past, but it received $560 for its formal decorations. Other organizations that received substantial funds were Men’s Rugby, which received $573 for referee fees and equipment, Club Soccer, which received $550 for trainer and referee fees and Archery Club, which received $417 for equipment.
Nixon estimated at the meeting that there is about $7,000 to $8,000 remaining in the BFC’s spring semester budget. In an email to the Collegian, Nixon said she believes that it is likely more, though she cannot confirm this until the College gives her this semester’s updated enrollment number, since each semester the available student activity funding is determined based on the College’s number of students. “We are still waiting on an updated enrollment number this semester to understand exactly what the remaining funds are, but I am confident that it is more than my original estimate,” she said.
Each class president provided updates regarding past and upcoming class events. Senior class president Prince Adablah ’23 declared last Friday’s Fandango celebration a success, reporting that over 400 guests attended the event. According to the other class presidents, the junior class party will be held this Saturday in the Old Kenyon basement, the Sophomore Dance will be held on April 8 in the Ganter and this year’s First Year Fling will be held on March 24 in Gund Commons.
Dean of Students Brian Janssen reminded those in attendance that the spring break housing application will close on Feb 28. He also encouraged students who are confused or unaware about when and where they are allowed to park to visit Kenyon’s parking webpage for helpful information.
Lastly, Student Council President Ubongabasi Asuquo ’23 gave the men’s swim team a shoutout for its impressive victory this past weekend at their NCAC championship meet. “Congratulations to the Kenyon men’s swim and diving team on winning the 2023 NCAC Swimming and Diving Championships! So proud of them for claiming their 25th NCAC title,” she said.