In their last meeting before Spring Break, the Student Government Association reflected on advice for future senators and discussed current events, as well as passed an external proposal and provided senatorial updates. 

INTRODUCTION 

After the recent Russian invasion, vice president Laurel Wagner designated time at the beginning of the meeting for commuter senator Alec Leyva to discuss the context of Russian and Ukrainian relations, as well as led SGA in a prayer of guidance for world leaders and comfort for those who lost their lives as a result of the conflict. 

 Bluff senator Gabriella Jenkins discussed the importance of serving multiracial and biracial students on Biola’s campus. She promoted the Fusion affinity group and the Center for Marriage and Relationships as resources for multiracial and biracial students, as well as students looking to engage in conversations about race. 

SUPPLEMENTAL EQUIPMENT FOR STEWART TELEVISION 

SGA heard an external proposal from senior cinema and media arts major Bradley Pausse, a resident of Stewart Hall, who requested $140 for the purchase of supplemental materials for the recently purchased television in the Stewart lobby. The supplemental materials included two adapters, cables and a disc player. 

Hope senator Christie Macris stated that the residents of Hope Hall have access to DVD players and that supplemental equipment should be equally available to Stewart. Stewart senator Richard Villarreal motioned to pass the external proposal and Macris seconded the motion. The proposal passed in full, unanimously. 

SENATOR UPDATES 

Horton senator Abigail Jackson and Sigma senator Andrew Cantelmi shared that the Caf experienced difficulty in advertising open positions and considered how to better communicate with students about unfilled positions. 

Alpha senator Amy Watson and Blackstone senator Micheal McKay received blueprints for the future of the food pantry—which will transition into the Biola Shares Resource Center. The Resource Center will inhabit the current mailroom building, across from the Student Union Building. Watson and McKay received senator recommendations to take into consideration during the construction to better create a welcoming space for students experiencing need. 

Commuter senator Alyssa Walkup expressed that the Resource Center’s central location shows that Biola wants to care for students. Jenkins stated that the new title of the food pantry better encompasses the Biola Shares resources and helps take an element of stigmatization away from the food pantry.