Editorial Revision 01/29 – The original article incorrectly stated the AP Committee will now vote on the issue, whereas it has already passed the AP committee. The board of trustees will vote on the issue next. Additionally, the article incorrectly states community feedback will be still taken, when the window was closed Oct. 15.
Last Thursday, Grand Valley State University’s Student Senate held a virtual General Assembly meeting amid a week of school closures and remote classes. The meeting included a formal vote on “Reach Higher Together,” the latest stage of the University’s strategic plan aimed at helping the community provide feedback on challenges, opportunities and commitments.
The meeting was supposed to host a presentation from Vice President for Enrollment Development and College Futures, B. Donta Truss, but will happen at a later date due to inclement weather. Despite this, senators were still able to address key issues for the upcoming semester, including elections.
“The Student Senate looks forward to another semester of making active change for our peers and elevating student voices at all levels,” said Vice President of Student Senate Ty Vanlerberghe.
The assembly included a much anticipated formal vote on a “Reach Higher Together” endorsement. The Student Senate collectively decided to pass the endorsement, marking one step closer in affirming the University’s five-year plan that aims to ‘prioritize academic excellence.’” The endorsement now awaits the vote of the Board of Trustees before becoming official.
GVSU operates on a shared governance model that balances power between administration, faculty, staff and GVSU students, including the Student Senate. Because of this system, the AP Committee, University Academic Senate and Student Senate collaborate to provide GVSU with solutions that are laid out in the Academic Affairs Strategic Framework.
Further, Truss and his team at Enrollment Development and College Futures had prepared a presentation regarding new developments for the University, but will present at a later time. There is no formal statement from the Enrollment Development and College Futures or the Student Senate on when that rescheduled date will be.
Another focus was on campaigning procedures for the upcoming Student Senate elections taking place March 16-23. Petitions begin Monday, Feb. 2 and campaigning begins March 7. Multiple members of the Student Senate took time to announce their candidacy for various positions within the senate, including Allocations Chair Lukas Hartley, who announced his campaign for Student Senate President.
“During my time as senator over the past two and a half years, I have come to know and love this organization as both a general senator and a chair,” Hartley said. “I have immeasurable respect for this group and its members and the utmost appreciation for the work we have completed and the further work I know we are capable of.”
Public Relations Chair Sophie Gemmen also announced her intention to run for vice president of Student Senate alongside Hartley.
“Being a part of Student Senate has been foundational to the last two and a half years of my life, and I am ready to continue the work of supporting students, both student senators and the student body at large,” Gemmen said.
Student Senate General Assembly meetings are held on the Valley Campus every Thursday from 5:15-7:15 p.m.
