During the Oct. 11 Senate Meeting, President Ashley Kibel (‘25) discussed the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund Committee Meeting, which was hosted the following day. The meeting concerned the vote on the $10 million grant to buy the Drew Forest.
Kibel encouraged senate members to attend the meeting and spoke about what the Drew Forest means to Drew’s populace, adding that the meeting could act as a potential networking opportunity for attendees since officials from Drew would be in attendance.
Kibel also let senate members know to reach out to Luiza Vaskys Lima (‘25), a double-major in Environmental Studies and Sustainability and International Relations, who had volunteered transportation to the meeting.
When asked to comment on the Trust Fund meeting, Vaskys Lima said, “I appreciate that the Senate supports students’ initiatives and works as a channel to share information about what is going on around campus.”
Lima also expressed a desire to see more representatives sent to events and meetings.
“I believe that having a representative from StuGov present at any activity really boosts its engagement and legitimacy. For the matter of the Drew Forest, specifically, it is essential [to have] the participation of the Senate. We need students present in issues outside of Drew, and I believe that people who were voted to represent the CLA community would be a great addition to the current activist group,” said Lima.
In regards to the organizational aspect, Lima stated, “I think most people don’t organize on campus because they are looking for ‘the right way of organizing,’ which, in the end, does not exist.”
In an effort to ensure the presence of the Drew community, Lima organized transportation to the event through Instagram posts, and she credited Zellie Imani’s “Power in Numbers” workshop by Drew Roosevelt Network, Drew Students for Justice in Palestine, Drew African Students Association, the Racial Justice Committee and Drew Muslim Students Association for the 15-student turnout. “People should not be afraid of organizing and asking for help for that.”
As for Student Concerns, Senator Zaire Wright (‘27) brought up some more issues with the Tolley Hall laundry machines.
Users have claimed that the washing machines often stain their laundry. Wright suggested this could be a result from the washer bellows maintaining residue or mold. Along with the washers, clothes dryers have also been experiencing issues.
Wright mentioned that Tolley Hall residents have expressed concern when it comes to the amount of lint post-drying.
To rectify this, the Senate may need to reach out to laundry service professionals who can take a look at the dryer vent system and deep clean the machines if necessary. Because there have been so many issues with Drew’s laundry services, Campus Life Vice President Frank Merckx has let it be known that there is a bid to change vendors.
Rosie Sapperstein is a senior majoring in English literature and minoring in media and communications.
