- Student affairs has had 1600 referrals for COVID-19 violations this semester so far to the Office of Student Conduct.
- Since Spring Break is not occurring next semester, there will be wellness days implemented for students and their mental health.
- Damon Sims, Vice President of Student Affairs, also urges everyone to register to vote as the PA deadline to register to vote is Oct. 19.
- Kelly Wolgast will attend the Nov. 11 Assembly meeting as the special presentation for further questions about Penn State’s response to COVID-19.
- Resolution 70-09 Constitutional Amendment (Membership Eligibility) was passed, stating that GPSA does not represent Dickinson’s Law and that GPSA does represent IUG students who are currently enrolled in graduate students.
- One new delegate was confirmed: Niladri Sekhar Mandal from the College of Engineering.
- Grad Council Alternate Confirmation, Ali Watts, was appointed.
- Resolution 70-10 Bylaws Amendment (Executive Board Duties) was passed which clarified terms of Executive duties such as changing the inconsistent name of Executive Secretary to just secretary, and clearing up the duties of Grad Council members
- Resolution 70-11 Constitutional Amendment (Track Changes in the Constitution) was proposed and tabled to the next meeting by the Internal Development Committee to track changes to the constitution in a log for them.
- Resolution 70-12 Racial Justice: Black Lives Matter was passed and is a resolution that outlines what Penn State should be doing to support and change to better support their minority students
- For community outreach, location points like the HUB office can be used for food drive drop off points leading up to Oct. 25.
The Assembly started out with a special presentation by Damon Sims, Vice President of Student Affairs. He recently had a meeting with Deborah Birx, the US Coronavirus Response Coordinator and Penn State alum about Penn State’s plans implementation to curb COVID-19 cases on campus. Student affairs have had 1600 referrals for COVID-19 violations this semester so far to the Office of Student Conduct. A tend has been seen is that students who test positive are reluctant to share who they have been in contact with so that their best friends do not have to isolate. Since Spring Break is not occurring next semester, there will be wellness days implemented for students and their mental health.
In terms of the Diversity task force and questions about student code of conduct, they are meeting and starting deliberation on how to feel students more welcome and make Penn State a more diverse and inclusive environment. Sims also urges everyone to register to vote as the PA deadline to register to vote is Oct. 19. There is an effort to see how the hybrid model of teaching can be made more efficient in light of the dwindling attendance of students in the in-person experience classes.
In Executive Reports, the President and Vice President for GPSA recounted his meeting with Kelly Wolgast about COVID-19 concerns and procedures that the University is doing. There are still unanswered questions, however Kelly Wolgast will attend the Nov. 11 Assembly meeting as the special presentation for further questions about Penn State’s response to COVID-19.
In unfinished business, Resolution 70-09 Constitutional Amendment (Membership Eligibility) was passed, stating that GPSA does not represent Dickinson’s Law and that GPSA does represent IUG students who are currently enrolled in graduate students.
In new business, one new delegate was confirmed: Niladri Sekhar Mandal from the College of Engineering. In the search of At-Large Delegates, more effort and new plans will be made to make sure more representation from colleges outside of STEM in the future. Grad Council Alternate Confirmation, Ali Watts, was appointed.
Resolution 70-10 Bylaws Amendment (Executive Duties) was passed which clarified terms of Executive duties such as changing the inconsistent name of Executive secretary to just secretary, and clearing up the duties of Grad Council members. Resolution 70-11 Constitutional Amendment (Track Changes in the Constitution) was proposed and tabled to the next meeting by the Internal Development Committee to track changes to the constitution in a log for them.
Resolution 70-12 Racial Justice: Black Lives Matter was passed and is a resolution that outlines what Penn State should be doing to support and change to better support their minority students. Transparency and consultation with Black student affiliated groups on campus were one of the many points recommended to the university.
For the Committee reports, the Professional Development committee is open to thoughts and suggestions on creating workshops people are interested in going to different topic workshops. For community outreach, location points like the HUB office can be used for food drive drop off points leading up to Oct. 25. The Internal Development committee is working on the semester newsletter, open student forum advertising, and bylaw amendment writing.