Student Senate Navigates Changes as Term Starts
Posted on June 29, 2009
When Joessa Austin, chiropractic student, stepped into her new role as Student Senate President at the start of the summer term, she didn’t anticipate the changes ahead. Topping the list was shifting the focus of University Appreciation Day to a community-service model. “I think it’s a good idea,” she said. “Students seem receptive.” Another notable change came when the new Provost was named in early June.
“It’s been a good transition,” Austin remarked. “The Senate cabinet has met with the Provost,” she said. “We’re collaborating with him on how we can be most effective as Student Senate officers and members.” The cabinet has also been working on teambuilding and leadership.
To help spread the word to students about the new format of Appreciation Day, Austin and other members of the Senate will be visiting classes in each program over the next two weeks, outlining the service opportunities available, and encouraging students to sign up. “We anticipate a good turnout,” Austin noted. “We’ve spent a lot of time coming up with a variety of choices where people can spend their morning helping in our community, then enjoying the traditional barbecue on campus in the afternoon.”
Meanwhile, committee chairs have been busy working on other initiatives. The Social Committee, headed up by chiropractic student Jeremy Faue, put on a fun-filled Summer Jam June 26. Students, staff, faculty and their guests came out to unwind after mid-terms with games, music and food.
The Green Committee, chaired by Mika Turner, chiropractic student, coordinated making Metro Transit Go Green Student Discount cards available on campus. The committee is also planning a bike tune-up day. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to bike to school on July 1, when Penn Cycle will be on campus providing free safety checks and mini bike tune-ups from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. by the bike racks in the east parking lot.
A Blood Drive with Memorial Blood Centers will take place July 28.
According to Austin, more changes are coming. Student Senate is creating a new event that will profile each academic program for a day. Called “program days” for now, the idea is to have student and faculty representatives from each program in the foyer for part of a day, demonstrating techniques, and talking about what the practitioners do. Austin hopes the events will encourage dialogue among students in different programs on how they can integrate their specialty in practice.
“We have big plans for fall term,” she said. “We’re excited to be working together, helping to connect students, staff and faculty.”