Senate Meeting

Senate Meeting called to order

1. Regular meeting of the senate, Monday October 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m., Alumni Center. President Arguijo presided. Secretary Morgan recorded.

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Roll Call

   1. Present: President Arguijo, Vice President Keeling, Secretary Morgan, Treasurer Hertel, PR Chair Nunez, Senator Do, Senator Ju, Senator (Phena) Kayode, Senator Masem, Senator Ortiz, Senator Sherman.

   2. Absent: Chief Justice Edwards, Senator Gonzalez, Senator Johnston, Senator (Phosa) Kayode, Senator Landry, Senator Nguyen.

Approval of the Minutes

1. The minutes were put to a vote by a show of hands, without a motion or a second.

2. The minutes of the September 28 meeting have passed.

Financial Report

1. Treasurer Hertel presented.

2. The university allocation for the year is $49,364.59, of which $30,767.00 is spent or committed and $18,653.44 is available. The spending includes the Genesis spring 2026 charge of $25,100.00 and senator scholarships of $4,850.00.

3. Of the amount available, $13,653.44 is in the operating budget, which funds bills, events, stipends and operations, and $5,000.00 is in the leadership fund, none of which has been spent. The business office holds both as one account; the split is SGA's own.

4. The September 28 report showed $15,000.00 at a time to keep SGA under budget. The full allocation is now shown because Genesis charged for spring 2026 this semester, when it normally bills a semester late. Treasurer Hertel is concerned that the spring and fall charges will both land this semester while the fall allocation does not arrive until spring.

5. The ledger now ties unused funds returned to the bill they came from, in place of the old spreadsheet's allocated and used columns. Returns are recorded for Bills 2621 ($18.13), 2622 ($29.51) and 2623 ($8.21). Bill 2620 went over by $2.00 because of the tip, and that has been recorded as an expense.

6. Treasurer Hertel will resign as Treasurer once a replacement is found, for personal reasons. The executive team has known for several days. She may return in the spring semester.

Business

1. Bill 2624

   1. Senator Do presented. The bill's authors are Chief Justice Edwards and Senator Do. The purpose of the bill is to restock the Jet Refuel Station, which has been running out: two creamers, one for the station and one kept in storage; four variety packs of coffee pods, 400 pods in total; two packs of hot chocolate pods; three syrups (vanilla, caramel and sugar-free hazelnut); and 300 cups.

   2. PR Chair Nunez asked how much the bill requests. The items total $268.13, and the bill asks for $275.00 to cover tax and changing prices. Any unused funds remain in the SGA account.

   3. Senator Masem motioned to approve and PR Chair Nunez seconded.

   4. Voting via roll call (including online votes), 9 for, 0 against, 2 abstain, 2 no ballot: Senator Do abstain, Chief Justice Edwards abstain, Senator Gonzalez no ballot, Senator Johnston for, Senator Ju for, Senator (Phena) Kayode for, Senator (Phosa) Kayode for, Senator Landry no ballot, Senator Masem for, Senator Nguyen for, PR Chair Nunez for, Senator Ortiz for, Senator Sherman for.

   5. Bill 2624 has passed.

2. Bill 2625

   1. President Arguijo presented as the bill's author. The purpose of the bill is to supply SGA's spot at the homecoming tailgate on October 10. The executive team chose activities that other groups at the tailgate are not doing, rather than food, since other spots are already giving out food and candy.

      1. An instant camera to photograph students, with whiteboards borrowed from Student Life on which students write what they are "guilty of", tied to the whiteout theme. Four packs of instant film and dry erase markers.

      2. Bingo cards for the booth, with tasks such as taking a photo. The first blackout wins a karaoke speaker. A second karaoke speaker goes to the booth voted best at the tailgate. Two fidget boxes provide small prizes for other bingos.

      3. Four eye white makeup kits, for students' faces.

      4. A large printed copy of the constitution for students to sign, with two 5-count boxes of Sharpies, 10 in total.

      5. The $50.00 tailgate fee for the spot.

   2. The items and fee total $229.81. The bill asks for $250.00 to cover unforeseen expenses and tax. Anything unused will be returned to SGA. Senator Masem asked why SGA has to pay to have a spot. President Arguijo said the $50.00 is the tailgate fee, which everyone pays.

   3. Dean Chambers asked whether SGA could use some of the water left over from an earlier purchase. President Arguijo said SGA will use the leftover water to give away drinks.

   4. Treasurer Hertel asked whether SGA had spoken with Kenyon, since giving away drinks would be a problem if concessions are open during the tailgate. President Arguijo said concessions will not be open; it is only the tailgate, and those attending bring their own food and drinks.

   5. PR Chair Nunez asked who else will have a spot. Kenyon has not given a full list; Campus Ministry, Res Life with CAB, Student Life, and each team are expected. PR Chair Nunez asked whether any clubs will be there. Vice President Keeling said she does not know of a club buying a spot, but some may be there, and Art Club is doing face paint.

   6. Senator Do motioned to approve and Senator Ju seconded.

   7. Voting via roll call (including online votes), 11 for, 0 against, 0 abstain, 2 no ballot: Senator Do for, Chief Justice Edwards for, Senator Gonzalez no ballot, Senator Johnston for, Senator Ju for, Senator (Phena) Kayode for, Senator (Phosa) Kayode for, Senator Landry no ballot, Senator Masem for, Senator Nguyen for, PR Chair Nunez for, Senator Ortiz for, Senator Sherman for.

   8. Bill 2625 has passed.

3. Bill 2626

   1. Liliana, of HALO, presented. The purpose of the bill is to fund HALO's Day of the Dead event, held with CAB, Campus Ministry and the Honors Program, in the Fugate Gymnasium on October 21 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. It covers drinks, including aguas frescas; a gift basket of prizes; food, including 150 paletas and meat; and decorations for the gymnasium. HALO is asking for $1,600.00 in total.

   2. Senator Masem asked how much HALO is contributing. PR Chair Nunez said HALO started the semester in the negative because the finance office charged it for other things. It has raised $500.00 from fundraisers and has a $500.00 donation, so it has about $1,000.00, which will go to the band, a television to give away, and plates, utensils and tablecloths.

   3. Treasurer Hertel asked how much the other collaborators are contributing. President Arguijo said Campus Ministry has paid half of the band in past years, $300.00 of a $600.00 band, and is expected to again; CAB usually provides the photo booth, at its own discretion; and the Honors Program will contribute $150.00, about half of the fruit.

   4. Dean Chambers asked whether HALO had approached Katherine for multicultural funding. President Arguijo said it had not. Dean Chambers said Katherine has budget that could support a cultural event, recommended collaborating with her in future years rather than changing this year's bill, and will help facilitate it.

   5. Senator Sherman asked about turnout. President Arguijo said the first year drew over 300 people, and last year, held on a Saturday morning, drew about 200. This year the event returns to a Wednesday. PR Chair Nunez said it moved to the gymnasium to draw more people. HALO's PR chair is reaching out to more vendors.

   6. Treasurer Hertel asked the ticket price for non-students. PR Chair Nunez said it is $10.00; students are free, and she invited senators to attend.

   7. Senator Ortiz asked whether HALO has a band in mind. President Arguijo said last year's band was three musicians and charged $600.00, and HALO hopes to book them again. Senator Ortiz said her father has a mariachi band; HALO has looked at mariachi before, but the quotes required a two-hour minimum. Senator Ortiz will ask her father about his rates and report back.

   8. Senator Masem motioned to approve and Senator Ju seconded.

   9. Voting via roll call (including online votes), 6 for, 0 against, 5 abstain, 2 no ballot: Senator Do for, Chief Justice Edwards abstain, Senator Gonzalez no ballot, Senator Johnston abstain, Senator Ju for, Senator (Phena) Kayode abstain, Senator (Phosa) Kayode abstain, Senator Landry no ballot, Senator Masem for, Senator Nguyen for, PR Chair Nunez abstain, Senator Ortiz for, Senator Sherman for.

   10. Bill 2626 has passed.

Call to audience

1. Liliana thanked the senate for its patience.

Committee Information and Updates

1. Constitution

   1. President Arguijo is scheduling a committee meeting, aiming to make the changes before the end of October. The changes include removing references to the Senate Leader, correcting names and wording, and setting out who organizes Cultural Extravaganza.

2. Ethics

   1. No updates.

3. Clubs

   1. Vice President Keeling asked committee members whether they can meet Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. She cannot attend then and will find someone to go in her place. If not, the committee will meet Thursday.

4. Security and grounds

   1. Secretary Morgan said the committee meets today at 7:00 p.m. in the library. Jonah has submitted the bike rack bill, and the committee will review it.

5. Jet Resource Hub

   1. Treasurer Hertel asked Dean Chambers whether the broadcast asking for donations had gone out. Dean Chambers said it has not yet, and Josh is helping her send it. The hub hopes for donations from staff as well as students.

   2. Sister Therese is running a food drive, with flyers up around campus, and its donations go to the Jet Resource Hub. A Chick-fil-A bill will follow once the donations are in.

   3. Treasurer Hertel will tell the committee when she has an end date, since its chair will change when she is replaced.

Advisor Updates

1. Dean Chambers reminded the senate that homecoming is this weekend: the candlelight Mass on Friday night with the bonfire immediately after, and the tailgate and crowning on Saturday. Several students are in the ballet performance on Friday night and Saturday. She thanked SGA for taking part in the tailgate.

Executive Updates

1. President Arguijo said the senate will vote on the bike rack bill next week.

2. The other executive officers had no updates. President Arguijo said Chief Justice Edwards had no updates.

New Business

1. HALO's Sabores y Flores event is tomorrow, October 6, at 5:00 p.m.

2. Senator (Phena) Kayode asked about graduation fees. The constitution was changed to stop the $50.00 scholarships and put the money toward graduation fees, which would come from the leadership fund. President Arguijo will review the constitution and the resolution to confirm whether a further resolution is needed.

Adjournment

1. Before adjournment, the week's events were announced: HALO's Sabores y Flores on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. and volleyball at 6:00 p.m.; a St. John Henry Newman documentary on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.; the candlelight Mass on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and the bonfire at 8:30 p.m.; and on Saturday the tailgate at 10:30 a.m., volleyball at 1:00 p.m., Sloppy Joes at 3:00 p.m., a pig roast at 4:00 p.m. and live music at 7:00 p.m.

2. President Arguijo said the tailgate is an SGA event and attendance will be recorded. Members who cannot attend because of work or another commitment should tell the executive team, and the absence will be excused.

3. Senator Masem motioned to adjourn and Senator Ortiz seconded. The vote was by a show of hands.

4. Meeting adjourned.