Student Government Association listened to and questioned Chief John Ojeisekhoba of Campus Safety, and harkened to four open proposals.
The senate meeting began with Ojeisekhoba sharing two updates on safety and security and emergency preparedness. Ojeisekhoba shared Biola’s low crime statistics, but remains concerned about sexual assaults and therefore advises incoming students to take an awareness and prevention course and for female students to take the Rape and Aggression Defense System course. He also discussed individuals released early from prison and their presence in La Mirada and on Biola’s campus, including over the summer when an individual lived in the bushes on Biola Ave. for several days. The senators discussed safety problems at the off-campus apartments, including the safety of those who walk to the apartments and the Campus Safety student workers out at night.
In the emergency preparedness update, Ojeisekhoba reminded the senators of the La Mirada shooting spree that happened in April and how students responded well to the messages being sent out about returning to campus. Officers were also able to figure out a safe way for students to enter campus because of their relationship with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Ojeisekhoba mentioned how their proactive mindset and trainings allowed Campus Safety to be prepared. The next emergency preparedness exercise will focus on earthquakes and allow students to enter an earthquake simulator by Flour Fountain from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 17.
PROPOSALS
Junior business major Adam Washington proposed for $2,600 for spirit scarves. The money would fund 300 scarves, which students would receive at sporting events. The scarves would be black and red and include the phrase “Beat APU” on them. Washington hopes the scarves will promote school spirit and increase student attendance at home games.
Sophomore pre-clinical nursing major Hannah Pedersen and sophomore history major Natalie Chavez proposed for $1,750 for Candyland. The event includes handing out candy to kids, having a bounce house, lights, art supplies and flyers. This year they asked for an extra $100 to make sure there remains enough candy at the end for Biola students.
On behalf of the Woven Conference, junior business major Jordyn Jensen proposed for $5,990.80. The largest chunk of money would pay for 100 students to attend the conference for free, while the rest funds items such as postcards, food and flying the speakers out.
Junior cinema and media arts majors Sophia Nordell, Summer Wagner and Katelyn Kolb proposed for $1,500 for this year’s Biola Film titled Bacchae. The film will discuss the need to restructure Christian summer camps and purity culture for girls. The money would fund the film’s screening, including s’mores, underwater effect lighting, event services fees and a red carpet at the fireplace pavilion at 8 p.m. on Dec. 8.
To host the second mental health awareness week, Hope resident advisors senior elementary education major Savannah Ozier and senior English major Michael Garcia proposed for $2,200. The event would include stress balls handed out after chapel, interactive spaces around campus, a panel discussion and a candlelight ceremony Oct. 23-26. All events will be held in one of the lower campus lobbies, except for Tuesday night when the event will include a puppy patch, painting, coloring books and a performance from Xopoc on McNally Field.
