Student Government discussed housing and dining issues, especially those that concern commuters during their Sept. 27 Senate Meeting.
Despite the original announcement in the “Meet the Senate” Instagram post, Drew University President, Hilary Link did not attend the meeting. However, she is scheduled to attend the Oct. 25 Senate Meeting.
During the Executive Address, Vice President Jocelyn Freeman (’25) announced that she has been working with the various departments at Drew to arrange a Campus-Wide Trick or Treat event that would happen between the hours of 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Oct. 30.
“We already have six people signed up. It’s really exciting. I’m very excited to put together this event, which is kind of a resource fair disguised as something a little bit more fun,” said Freeman.
President Ashley Kibel (’25) encouraged attendees to bring along friends and students with a shared major or minor as more details about the event are announced. The event will also provide information about different majors to anyone who is still looking to select a field of study, according to Kibel.
At the end of the Address, the Senate discussed Drew commuters’ limited access to buildings. Many commuters have reported being unable to use their Drew ID cards to get into spaces they should otherwise be able to access, such as Tolley/Brown and McLendon Hall. Kibel is calling for commuters and friends of commuters to report which lounges they are unable to enter and at what times.
Senator Maks Coven (‘27) voiced more commuter concerns. He mentioned that some commuters want to bring their own lunch into The Commons so they can eat with their friends without paying door prices. Kibel emphasized that people who do not have a meal plan can eat in the area just outside of the dining area, next to the cash registers. Kibel also suggested distributing wristbands to allow students who do not wish to purchase food entrance into the main dining area of The Commons.
Campus Life Vice President Frank Merckx disclosed his concern that commuters could spread foodborne illnesses if they brought their own food into The Commons, but he said that this issue could be explored further. The fear of foodborne illness was also cited as one of the reasons why take-out containers were discontinued after Senator Hayden Koh (’25) proposed permitting students to bring food from the dining hall outside using their own containers that they would bring into the cafeteria.
Merckx also mentioned that there has been talk about making changes to the dining program for next year to accommodate takeout and “grab and go” options. However, any changes would need to be considered through the lens of how they would affect the rest of the dining program.
Other concerns that the student body raised directly to Senate members were also addressed. Specifically, Senator Zaire Wright (’27) mentioned students’ difficulties with Drew’s laundry website, the Wash Alert Web Interface. Welch Hall’s washing machines and dryers have not been connected to the platform, and Freeman mentioned that McClendon Hall and Asbury Hall have experienced similar problems. Senator Faith Ansah (‘25) reported issues with the website in regards to Hoyt-Bowne Hall as well. To resolve this issue, Dean Michelle Brisson will contact the Office of Auxiliary Services.
Rosie Sapperstein is a senior majoring in English with a concentration in literature and minoring in media and communications.
