On Oct. 1, Student Council met to discuss upcoming campus events, the Business and Finance Committee (BFC) supplementals and an update on the campus construction projects.
Senior Class President Rachel Chen ’24 updated attendees on the Senior Soirée, which will be held on Nov. 10 in Peirce Pub. Theme voting for the event will be sent out soon.
Buildings, Grounds and Sustainability Committee Chair Isabel Braun ’26 encouraged student voting in the Fat Bear Week bracket, an annual competition between eight brown bears at Katmai National Park in Alaska that prepare for hibernation by rapidly gaining weight.
Safety and Wellness Committee Chair Madelin Vandeberg ’25 reminded students to be aware of the upcoming Martial Arts Self-Defense Series, which students can sign up for on KenyonFit. Additionally, Kenyon Intramurals will host a free trip to Summit Axe Throwing on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
The Council voted to approve 13 BFC supplemental funds requests, funding 10 requests in full. Squash Club requested $9,620 for tournaments in Annapolis, Maryland, and Detroit, which the BFC recommended to fund in part with $4,157. The Annapolis trip was funded and the Detroit trip was deferred, as only one off-campus trip is funded by BFC, with funds for a second trip at the discretion of the BFC. In addition, Club Swim’s request for coaching funds was denied, along with CineArt’s request for event funding, which the BFC deferred to Fun Funds. The BFC’s remaining budget for the semester is approximately $23,000. According to Vice President for Business and Finance Dan Kowalczyk ’24, the BFC’s remaining funds will likely last the Committee through the remainder of the year. “We are not in a terrible spot, especially in terms of last year’s. I don’t foresee us having to go into … reserve funds as we did last year,” he said.
Following the BFC allocation, Director of Design and Construction Jo Goldberger spoke to the Council about ongoing Bexley Hall, Colburn and South Campus Housing projects. Goldberger told the Council that Bexley is close to completion, aside from painting and elevator maintenance. Bexley will house 40 students, while the attached Colburn will have an event capacity of 100 people. Goldberger is confident that state inspections will not create any delay.
Goldberger also said that the east dorm scheduled to open in fall 2024 was delayed to spring 2025 because hazardous materials were dug up in construction. The west dorm is still scheduled to open in fall 2025 despite delays due to labor shortages. Goldberg also reminded the Council that there is a third dorm planned that has not been started and has no opening date.
Student Council will next meet on Sunday at 7 p.m in Chalmers room 302. Students are welcome to attend either in person or remotely.