During the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting on Oct. 30, Director of the University Center and Student Activities Susan Sullivan came in to answer questions and take suggestions from the Senate in regard to Upchurch University Center.
Freshman Class Representative Claire Lesman asked about the possibility of a printing center in the building and Sullivan responded by saying that there would be a cost effect and there would be materials needed that the university doesn’t have.
Senator Joseph Hyman said other schools use a printing “kiosk” service that is cost-effective and suggested that Sullivan look into that avenue.
Virginia 21 and State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Representative Mary Zell Galen asked if there were any plans to put art or decorations in Upchurch to make it feel more Longwood-oriented and less commercial. Sullivan said she hopes to be able to work with the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) and the art department, but it is a plan in the works.
Senator Cameron Roblewsky suggested there be line dividers put in the food court to be able to differentiate between the lines for Panda Express and FarmGrill and Sullivan said that is currently being worked on.
Historian Megan Bland asked if there is a possibility for a Lancer Cash Deposit machine to be put in Upchurch University Center. Sullivan said that it is a possibility.
Sullivan also announced that a suggestion box is going to be put at the information desk on the second floor.
During open forum, Senator Catherine Swinsky said two students came to her with a complaint that they got sick after eating Panda Express. Swinsky went on to say she met with Senior Director of Longwood Dining Services Grant Avent and an investigation followed.
According to Swinsky, 300 servings were put out that day and only two students got sick, so the dining services came to the conclusion that nothing was wrong.
During the president’s report, SGA President Josh Darst talked about Longwood University President W. Taylor Reveley IV's email that was issued on Oct. 26 surrounding the white nationalist postings that have been found on campus.
Hobson recapped a meeting that was held with Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) Chief Col. Bob Beach surrounding the postings.
Per Hobson, one of the outcomes of the meeting was pushing the motion of “see something, say something,” and said SGA will be tabling outside of the dining hall for that cause.
The conversation went back to Darst, who said he talked to Jonathan Page, director of Citizen Leadership and Social Justice Education, about some resolutions for students. One of the resolutions suggested was a minority cultural center and a proposal is being worked on for that.
Swinksy gave an update on the service dog in training resolution and announced that after meeting with the Office of Disabilities and Resources, the proposal was dropped and the conclusion was service dogs in training should not be allowed in other facilities.
The next SGA meeting will be Nov. 6 at 3:45 p.m. in the Wilson Chamber, located in Upchurch University Center.
