In this week’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, Dean of Student Engagement Cheryl Steele gave a presentation on a new reporting system and Director of Citizen Leadership and Social Justice Education Jonathan Page talked to Senate about his department.
According to Steele, a new reporting system called Say Something is available on the Student Conduct and Integrity section of Longwood University’s website. The system is meant to report bias/discrimination, hazing and Title IX situations.
Say Something is not confidential and all reports go to Associate Dean of Conduct and Integrity Jen Fraley. Steele said this system is an attempt to make reporting easier for students.
Senator Joseph Hyman said he feels this system might make it easier for students to make false reports. Steele said that while that is possible, she doesn’t think it’s likely.
Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson made a comment saying how he doesn’t feel this reporting system will make students more vulnerable when it comes to reporting sensitive and serious situations.
Page’s presentation focused on the ins and outs of Citizen Leadership and Social Justice Education (CLSJE) office. According to Page, the primary purpose of the department is “developing citizen leaders.”
The four pillars of CLSJE are to advocate, educate, empower and challenge. Per Page, citizen leadership is a major part of students’ world view development.
Three components of the CLSJE department are Leadership and Development Programs under Laura Parker, Community Learning and Engagement under Quincy Goodine and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice under Dr. Jes Simmons.
Page also said the department works to make campus as multicultural, intercultural and inclusive as possible.
During the week of Oct. 22-28, CLSJE will be hosting Hunger and Poverty Week. According to Page, this is the department’s first year with a comprehensive list of activities:
- 10/22: Panel/Discussion with Students, Faculty and local Dignitaries
- 10/23: Tabling (Food Drive) BASIC and CLSJE, SGA-Building Bridges (Campus Food Bank)
- 10/24: Eat and Greet, D-Hall Annex, Students, Faculty/Staff and Community Partners
- 10/25: Poverty Simulation at the Moton Museum
- 10/26: Cardboard City-Night Out, Lankford Mall (Collaboration with Phi Beta Sigma)
- 10/27: SWAG-Habitat for Humanity
- 10/28: Empty Bowls- CLSJE in collaboration with Moton Museum and Longwood Ceramics Department (Bowls)
According to Page, the cardboard city-night out will include participants spending the night outside in cardboard structures to highlight the reality of those who do every night.
During open forum, sophomore nursing major Ellen Tucker, who’s advocating to make service dogs in training able to enter classrooms and dorm rooms, talked to SGA about what she’s trying to achieve. According to Tucker, she’s been in touch with Longwood University Vice President, Chief of Staff Justin Pope and the Office of Disabilities.
Senator Catherine Swinksy said she’s been working with Tucker to make a change to the service animal policy. They want to make service animals in training allowed in university facilities as long with they’re with their handler.
As of right now, the service animal policy for Longwood states only fully trained service animals are allowed in certain facilities on campus.
Hyman brought up that more white nationalist postings have been found in a Ruffner Hall stairwell. According to Hyman, the Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) is doing everything they can but he feels this problem isn’t going to adequately be taken care of until there is better surveillance.
Webmaster Sierra Davey brought up concerns about the Greens to Go salads in The Comma not having a meal swipe option after Greens to Go hours and said that isn’t fair for students.
During the adviser’s report, Steele said doors to Upchurch University Center open at 11 a.m. on Oct. 17.
During President Josh Darst’s report, Darst gave the hours for the food services in Upchurch:
- Au Bon Pain
- Mon. - Thurs. 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Sat. - Sun. Closed
- FarmGrill
- Mon. - Sun. 10:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Panda Express
- Mon. - Fri. 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Sat. - Sun. noon - 9 p.m.
- Starbucks
- Mon. - Thurs. 7:30 a.m. - midnight
- Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Sat. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Sun. 9 a.m. - midnight
Treasurer Emily Moran said she reached out to Senior Director of Longwood Dining Services Grant Avent about the hours.
VA 21 and SCHEV Representative Mary Zell Galen said that more food options should be open until midnight, not just Starbucks which is more drink-oriented. Senator Bradley Heath expressed that extending the hours would be in the best interest of the students.
Junior Class President Haleigh Pannell said all food services should at least be extended one hour to be open until 10 p.m. to accommodate to students who might not eat dinner until later.
During Vice President Lucas Hobson's report, Hobson brought up concerns of Farmville Area Bus (FAB) drivers not sticking to schedule and said he’s in the process of working on an app for students to track the FAB.
The next SGA meeting will be Tues. Oct 23 at 3:45 p.m. in the Wilson Chamber located in Upchurch University Center.
