• Student Government is here to serve you.


    Student Government serves as a liaison between the student body, the faculty, and the college. It is the organization responsible for informing policy for student activities, allocating funds, and facilitating communication between students and administration. To learn more about SG, click here.

    The Student Government body meets at 5:00 pm every Wednesday in 12 Farinon Center and all students are welcome to attend. The Budget Committee meets weekly on Mondays at 6:00 pm. Meeting times may change; check the office door and this website for any updates. Minutes from meetings are public and can be found below. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to stop in during office hours:
    Monday and Thursday: 12:15-12:45
    Wednesday: 4:15-4:45

    or email us at lafstugov@lafayette.edu.

Congratulations to the newly elected 2010 Student Government members:

First-Years

Mahmoud Djindjiev
Jesse Ryan
Phil Schaffer
Sarah Swienckowski-Eckhart
Chao Wang

Sophomores

Hemendra Bhola
TJ Bolt
Matt Grandon
P.A. Nguyen
Greg Schorr

Juniors

Morgan Callahan
Jeff Duck
Steve Gadomski
Laquan Lightfoot
Nate Terwilliger

In addition, last night at Student Government the President and Vice President candidates were nominated. They are:

President: Steve Gadomski & Laquan T. Lightfoot
Vice President: Morgan Callahan, Matt Grandon, Nate Terwilliger

President and Vice President elections will be held online November 30th – December 1st. There will also be an event where you can meet the candidates and hear them speak about their views on November 30th at noon in Marlo Room.

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Lafayette College Student Government

November 11th, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 5:02 PM.

13 members were present.

Motion to approve minutes from November 4th, 2009 pending changes.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Ashley Juavinett – President

-Participation, Academics, Campus Life (PAC) requested to be reactivated as a recognized Student Government club.  It is a social peer mentoring program for underclassmen by upperclassmen.  They also withdrew their supplemental request from October 28th 2009.

-Chill requested $90 in supplemental allocations for a laser tag event which will cost $2 or $3 per person with about 30 people attending.

-Brothers of Lafayette requested $150 in supplemental allocations for a fundraiser so that they can buy the games.

-Professor Sharon Jones, the Director of Engineering Departments spoke to the Budget Committee about needing food for certain brownbags for engineers.  The Budget Committee will take each allocation on a case-by-case basis.  Brownbags will be more likely to receive funding than regular organizational meetings.

Morgan Callahan – Academic Affairs

-The Faculty Tea is scheduled for December 2nd 2009 from 12:00 – 1:15 PM in the Wilson Room of the Pfenning Alumni Center.  The new members of Student Government 2010 will also be invited to attend.

Nathan Terwilliger and Courtney Morin – Student Life

-First-year Class Council Spot Event is this Friday, November 13th, and has a toga theme and they are giving away 100 free t-shirts.

-They emailed the resident advisors about Rivalry Weekend so that they could spread the news to their residents.

Steve Gadomski – Student Organizations

-Motion to move Participation, Academics, Campus Life (PAC) from Class 6 inactive status to a campus leadership Class 5 club.

Motion: Maire

Second: Steve

Motion Passes

John Doyle – Treasurer

-Motion to allocate $90 to Chill for their supplemental allocation request for their laser tag event.

Motion: Steve

Second: Greg Saybolt

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $150 to the Brothers of Lafayette for their supplemental allocation request to allow networking opportunities to students.

Motion: Maire

Second: T.J.

Motion Passes

The meeting was adjourned at 5:42 PM.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Faithfully Submitted,

J.M.R.

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VOTE HERE: https://opinio.lafayette.edu:443/opinio/s?s=2505

Poll will be open until 12:30 pm on Wednesday. Please vote only once.

Candidates will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Those who are selected are expected to attend the Student Government meeting at 5 pm on Wednesday. President and Vice President nominations will occur at this time.

Best of luck to all of our candidates!

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Lafayette College Student Government

November 4th, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM.

15 members were present.

Motion to approve minutes from October 28th, 2009 pending changes.

Motion: Steve

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Ashley Juavinett – President

-Club Basketball requested to be reactivated as a recognized Student Government organization.  They also requested $985 in supplemental allocations for tournament fees, transportation, jerseys, and equipment.

-Pan-Hellenic Council came to the meeting and requested that Student Government cosponsor between $400 and $500 for Stacy Nadeau to come to campus and speak about body image and self-esteem.

-Club Ice Hockey requested $500 in supplemental allocations for two buses to the Lafayette versus Lehigh Hockey game that will take place on Friday, November 20th.

-The Leonardo Society requested $135 in supplemental allocations to have a dinner with students and alumni to develop networking relationships.

-Lafayette College Ends Violence Against Women committee that is composed of many groups on campus requested that Student Government cosponsor $6000 for a theatrical performance “Guerilla Girls on Campus” for the Violence Against Women Week in November.

-Alternative School Break (ASB) requested $75 in supplmental allocations for their next general body meeting.

-The “Meet the Candidates” session for the Student Government elections will now take place on November 11th, 2009 at 12:15 pm.

-Motion to change the required signatures for Student Government representative elections from 150 to 100.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Jenn

Motion Passes

-Motion to fund all expenses for the annual Presidential Ball aside from the band costs due to insufficient funding for the event compared to previous years.

Motion: Maire

Second: Steve

Motion Passes

Morgan Callahan – Academic Affairs

-The Faculty Tea is scheduled for December 2nd 2009 from 12:00 – 1:15 PM in the Wilson Room of the Pfenning Alumni Center.

Nathan Terwilliger and Courtney Morin – Student Life

-Motion to allocate an addition $1000 for the Lafayette vs. Lehigh Midnight Breakfast due to the high cost of the event.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Max Greene – Multicultural Affairs

-Lafayette College Ends Violence Against Women is having a Violence Against Women Week around the third week of November.  They plan to have brown bags, speakers, and rallies.

-“We Speak” is an opportunity to allow the Lafayette Community to voice their opinion about Lafayette and will take place on December 9th.  There is a large collaboration for the event and will be focused on culture and ethnicity.

Steve Gadomski – Student Organizations

-Motion to move Club Basketball from Class 6 inactive status to a Class 5 sports club.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Emily

Motion Passes

John Doyle – Treasurer

-Motion to table Club Basketball’s supplemental allocation request until after they have a meeting with Jodie Frey.

Motion: John

Second: Ashley

Motion Passes

-Motion to cosponsor up to $400 for Pan-Hellenic’s body image and self-esteem speaker.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Greg Saybolt

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $500 to Club Ice Hockey for their supplemental allocation request because it is a well-attended event that Student Government provides transportation for every year.

Motion: John

Second: Greg Saybolt

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $135 to the Leonardo Society for their supplemental allocation request to allow networking opportunities to students.

Motion: John

Second: Steve

Motion Passes

-Motion to cosponsor up to $6000 for the Lafayette College Ends Violence Against Women performance group that they are bringing to campus.

Motion: Maire

Second: Steve

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $0 to Alternative School Break (ASB) for their supplemental allocation because they have not yet exceeded 15% of their budget for food.  If they wish to use $75 from their budget for their introductory meeting, they may do so.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Morgan

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $65 to Sports Management and Business’ supplemental allocation request pending legality of prizes for Fantasy Baseball.

Motion: John

Second: Steve

Motion Passes

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Faithfully Submitted,

J.M.R.

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Want to know who is running for Student Government and what their goals are? Stop by the Meet the Candidates session, TOMORROW (Wednesday) from 12:00-1:00 pm in the Farinon Atrium. Candidates will be spread throughout Farinon with name tags, ready to introduce themselves and their goals for Student Government.

Note: Student Government elections will take place online next Monday and Tuesday, November 16th and 17th. You will receive an email on Monday morning with a link to the poll.

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Lafayette College Student Government

October 28th, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM.

11 members were present.

Motion to approve minutes from October 21st, 2009.

Motion: Ashley

Second: T.J.

Motion Passes

Ashley Juavinett – President

-Minority Scientists and Engineers (MSE) requested approval to use their current budget to pay for student tutors in Math, Science, and Engineering.  In previous years they used donations to pay for the tutors, but they would rather pay with their budget and use donations for conferences.

-Marquis Players requested $380 in supplemental allocations for a Marquis Players’ 25th Anniversary Showcase on November 13th 2009 in the Farinon Atrium.  The work order will cost $330 and they would like $50 for giveaways.

-Russian Club submitted a constitution for approval as a Student Government recognized club.  They have a goal of bringing Slavic culture to Lafayette.

-Kappa Delta Rho Haunted House is canceled.  The $400 cosponsor reimbursements will remain in the Student Government account.

-The Math Club requested approval to spend more than 15% of their current budget on food.

-Participation Academics Campus Life requested $100 for their information session and t-shirts.

-The Economics Club requested $200 in supplemental allocations for their annual Jeopardy event with faculty and students.

-Pan-Hellenic Council requested that Student Government cosponsor $500 for Stacy Nadeau to come to campus and speak about body image and self-esteem.

-Club Basketball requested $985 in supplemental allocations for tournament fees, transportation, jerseys and equipment.

Gregory Saybolt – Elections

-The members of the Senior Class Council (SCC) were elected.  The six members of the SCC for the class of 2010 are:

Soffie Grossman
Sarah Mulford
Alison Malloy
Daniel Stefan
Haley Torrey
Kate O’Shaghnessy

-Motion to change Student Government representative to the third week of November and the Student Government President and Vice President elections to the fifth week of November.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Greg Saybolt

Motion Passes

-Election Timeline for Student Government Representatives

10/29/09: Student notification of election dates and procedures. Forms sent via email.

11/9/09: Forms and signatures due. Candidates begin campaigning.

11/12/09: “Meet the Candidates” Session

11/16/09 – 11/17/09: Online elections open.

11/18/09: Representatives announced and first transition meeting.

11/23/09: President and Vice President essays due. Candidates begin campaigning.

11/30/0912/1/09: Presidential and Vice Presidential online elections open.

12/2/09: President and Vice President announced and second transition meeting.

12/6/09: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Gavel passing and official transition of new representatives.

Morgan Callahan – Academic Affairs

-The Faculty Tea is tentatively scheduled for December 2nd 2009 during lunch pending an available location.

Courtney Morin and Nathan Terwilliger – Student Life

-Money left over from the Spirit Week band will be used for free giveaways for the Lafayette vs. Lehigh Football Game.

-The Spirit Week Committee would like Student Government to fund the Midnight Breakfast.

-Friday, November 13th there will be a First-Year Class Council and Student Government sponsored Spot Event with a toga party theme.

-Motion to allocate $3000 from the Student Government Reserve account for the Midnight Breakfast after the Lafayette vs. Lehigh Football Game.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Elizabeth Blake – Community Affairs

-Met with Steelstacks Campaign Group – Arts Quest in Bethlehem.

-The Group wants college students’ input on how to attract students to come to concerts in Bethlehem.

-The complex is planned to be built by May 2011.

Emily Kimmelman – Public Relations

-The Campus Wide Open Forum will take place on Tuesday, November 3rd at 7 PM in Kirby Hall of Civil Rights room 104.

Steve Gadomski – Student Organizations

-Motion to approve the Russian Club as a Student Government recognized class 5 organization in the Arts and Culture Block.

Motion: Steve

Second: Morgan

Motion Passes

John Doyle – Treasurer

-Motion to allow Minority Scientists and Engineers to pay for student tutors with their current budget.

Motion: Jenn

Second: Emily

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $330 to Marquis Players for their supplemental allocation request for the work order for their showcase event.

Motion: Ashley

Second: T.J.

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $0 to the Math Club for their supplemental allocation request because food is not approved for general meetings.

Motion: Morgan

Second: Courtney

Motion Passes

-Motion to table the request for Participation Academics Campus Life’s supplemental allocation request since they are currently an inactive club.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Morgan

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $170 to the Economics Club for their supplemental allocation request for Jeopardy prizes.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

-Motion to table request from Pan-Hellenic Council until they speak with LINC about possible funds.

Motion: John

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

-Motion to table request from Club Basketball for their supplemental allocation request because they are currently a Class 6 inactive club sport and they did not meet with the Budget Committee to explain their request.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 PM.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

Faithfully Submitted,

J.M.R.

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Open Forum with President Weiss 11/03/09

What is the organization of the Student Government positions?  Why are the chair positions elected within and not by the student body? (Asked by a Student)

The chair positions were created by student government so that the representatives would have a focus.  The representatives are elected by the student body, but are given their individual responsibility within the group.  Each chair brings information to the government and all must vote to make decisions.  Having the student body vote the student to a chair position is a possibility for next year, but this year’s elections are already underway.

Are the graduating seniors feeling like the college is helping them? (Faculty)

Career Services could spend more time on the subject that is advertised rather than future events.  HPAC is doing a great job for health professions.

What can the college do better? (Faculty)

More attendance at athletic events – may be due to lack of spirit, tradition, and the students already being extremely involved.

Many schools in certain areas do not know about Lafayette and should know about it. (Student)

Lafayette is currently working on being more aggressive about spreading our name.  Cadence is possibly going to D.C. to sing to high school students and speak with students about Lafayette.

Can the college be more transparent about the structure and organization? (Student)

Faculty has its own system that President Weiss does not oversee.  They have confidential discussions at times and are not always shared.  If there is specific information that is needed, President Weiss is willing to work to see if it can be shared.

There is a disconnect between faculty and Greek organizations.  How can they work together better? Faculty reception possibly? (Student)

This problem goes back 25 years.  Faculty used to visit houses often before the change.  There is a group being formed to study this problem and hopefully close this gap.  Faculty may think that they are competing with a system that does not support academics.  The students must get in the minds of the faculty and show them that this is not true.  Faculty is incredibly busy and travel and work more than ever.  Need to cordially invite faculty to fraternity houses and start up conversations.  Invite faculty that you already know and actually bring them to the house so that they feel comfortable.

Are steps being made to expand the Greek system on campus? (Student)

The Greek working group will be discussing it.  The group will consist of faculty, staff, students, and trustees.  They will gain information and make informed decisions.  More information will follow in the near future.

Will the students be informed of the decisions being made before they are decided? (Student)

President Weiss believes all of the information for the Greek group and the Campus Climate study group will be presented to the Lafayette community.

Is there any discussion of expanding majors on campus, such as broadcast? (Student)

New programs are being developed, not in communications, but in life sciences and other topics.

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Campus Wide Open Forum: Tonight, November 3rd @ 7 pm in Kirby 104.

Elections: Signatures, essay, and picture due on November 9th. Questions? Email sayboltg@lafayette.edu .

“Monthly Budget Reports” are now bi-semesterly Budget Updates. The mid-semester one was already submitted, and the final one for the semester is due December 1st.

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Lafayette College Student Government

October 21st, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 5:04 PM.

11 members were present.

Motion to approve minutes from October 14th, 2009.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Ashley Juavinett – President

-Women’s Club Lacrosse approval for reactivation as a Student Government recognized sports club.

-The Open Forum with President Weiss will be on November 3rd, at 7:00 PM in Kirby Hall of Civil Rights 104.

-Sports Management and Business requested $65 in supplemental allocations for gift certificates for fantasy baseball teams.

Gregory Saybolt – Elections

-There are eight senior class students running for Senior Class Council (SCC).  Elections will take place October 22nd through October 26th through an online poll.

Courtney Morin and Nathan Terwilliger – Student Life

-For Spirit Week, New Day Dawn, which is an alumni band, will open for B.O.B. on Thursday, November 19th 2009.

Steve Gadomski – Student Organizations

-Motion to approve Women’s Club Lacrosse as a Student Government recognized class 5 sports club.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Ingrid

Motion Passes

John Doyle – Treasurer

-Motion to allocate $0 to Sports Management and Business for their supplemental allocation request due to issues with betting and gambling laws.

Motion: John

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $0 to Sailing Club for their supplemental allocation request from September 23rd 2009 due to lack of follow through.  Issue can be reconsidered in the future.

Motion: John

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

-Motion to allocate $4449.99 to Women’s Rugby for their supplemental allocation request from September 30th, 2009 for the purchase of a new scrum sled.

Motion: John

Second: Greg Schorr

Motion Passes

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM.

Motion: Emily

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Faithfully Submitted,

J.M.R.

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Lafayette College Student Government

October 14th, 2009

The meeting was called to order at 5:02 PM.

14 members were present.

Motion to approve minutes from October 7th, 2009 pending changes.

Motion: Ashley

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Ashley Juavinett – President

-Kappa Delta Rho requested that Student Government cosponsor the KΔΡ Haunted House on October 31st with $500 for supplies and decorations.

John Doyle – Treasurer

-Motion to cosponsor with up to $400 from the Student Government account for the KΔΡ Haunted House for supplies and decorations.

Motion: John

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

The meeting was adjourned at 5:22 PM.

Motion: John

Second: Maire

Motion Passes

Faithfully Submitted,

J.M.R.

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