On Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m., Drew’s Student Government conducted their bi-weekly meeting. To encourage public engagement from the student body, Student Government served Domino’s pizza at 7 p.m., an hour before the meeting. Student Government plans on continuing to serve food before their meetings in order to incentivize people to get involved in Drew’s upcoming election season. The open meetings are highly advertised, and Student Government wants to promote their meetings as an opportunity to learn more about their affairs.
The meeting officially began at 8:11 p.m. with President Nate Roark’s (’23) Executive Address following a quick roll call. The senate reviewed progress regarding the aforementioned election season. Student Government acknowledged the work of the Presidential Search Committee, who have already established a list of 11 candidates that committee will privately interview on Zoom on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18. These interviews will enable the Presidential Search Committee to familiarize themselves with candidates before inviting them to actively campaign on campus.
The senate also discussed the Student Government Giveaway, which will allow students who follow Student Government on Instagram and the Path to win an undetermined prize worth $400. By following the cabinet on the Path, students can receive weekly updates on Student Government and learn what they are currently working on or accomplishing. The motion to give away iPads as prizes turned up 11 votes in favor. However, Senator Elisabeth Sauerman (‘24) and President Pro Tempore Jocelyn Freeman (‘25) expressed concern about the ethical problems associated with spending allotted funds to support Apple, given the iPhone manufacturer’s environmental impact and human rights violations.
Roark also broached the subject of whether or not senate and cabinet members should be able to win the potential prizes. Senator Ben Paley (‘25) argued that the giveaway is an incentive intended to promote engagement from the student body. “I think that the goal is for engagement,” he said. “It just so happens that there’s a giveaway which is causing the engagement. And so us receiving said giveaway is entirely unethical.”
Prize options were given careful consideration because Student Government wants the giveaway to appeal to a wide array of students. A hammock, headphones and a projector were all discussed as possible prizes that contestants could try to win. Relevant information can be found here for those interested in the giveaway.
For students who are interested, Student Government meetings are open to the student body and occur bi-weekly on Wednesdays starting at 8 p.m. in EC 145.
Rosie Sapperstein is a senior majoring in English literature with a minor in media and communications.
Featured Image courtesy of @DrewStuGov on Twitter
