Welcome back, Illinois Tech! This is the first of many updates. Throughout the semester, I will be sharing announcements and updates from Senate meetings, held by the Student Government Association (SGA) every other Wednesday. SGA held its first senate meeting of the spring semester on January 21st and had multiple personnel changes and transitions.
- Greek Council Senator Abel Castilla has resigned.
- Administrative Justice Derrick Hill has also resigned.
- Rutam Chougule has resigned as the Executive Secretary and Senator of the College of Computing and has been appointed as the new Administrative Justice by Chief Justice Jaime Bernardino. Justices are prohibited from holding any other office in SGA.
- College of Architecture Senator, Brianna Sorrillo, vacated the Seat. The Senate voted unanimously to transfer Sorrillo from the College of Architecture to the General Assembly. (20 YAYS – 0 NAYS)
To nominate Architecture students, you believe would be a great fit for the CoA seat, email sga@illinoistech.edu.
BILL UPDATES:
The Chief of Staff Amendment was introduced to the Senate, replacing the current role of Executive Assistant to expand the administrative and advisory capacity of SGA. This altered role was designed to improve organizational efficiency, continuity, and strategic guidance while enhancing SGA’s ability to serve students effectively. This position will also be the Chair of the Advisory Committee, which consists of former members of SGA as well as alumni appointed by the Dean of Student Life, Katherine Stetz, and Director of Student Life and SGA Advisor, Patrick Fina. This committee will allow former members to provide insight into SGA operations, offer guidance on best practices, and support current leaders in making informed decisions.
The Bill was passed with a unanimous vote by the Senate. Effective immediately, Former Executive Assistant Charlie Janisch is now the Chief of Staff of SGA.
Last semester, the Senate passed the “Office Expansion Proposal”. This proposal was presented to the Office of Student Life, requesting a larger office to efficiently execute operations and larger meetings due to an increase in SGA activity. SGA Advisor Patrick Fina, who also works as the director of OSL, updated the Senate on the status of this proposal. Currently, there are 35 student organizations that have designated spaces such as offices or labs. However, many of these were not assigned through a standardized process and were either given by departments, offered by different colleges, or were designated years ago. So far, six organizations, including SGA, have petitioned to secure space through the standardized process. The Office of Student Life is still working to find locations for student organizations, including SGA, without having to “kick out” student orgs from a space. In the meantime, Fina recommends for future reference that student org leaders register for a space through Illinois Tech’s 312 website (312.iit.edu)
Bills and voting records from the 1/26 Senate meeting are available upon request by emailing sga@illinoistech.edu.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
President Yailine Cano, who is also the Chair of the Finance Board, mentioned that the board is currently reviewing submitted budget requests by student organizations. President Cano has also announced that the Food Advisory Board has conducted their first meeting on January 23. The Food Advisory Board conducts meetings with leadership who are involved in all dining operations with students to voice any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the food and dining around campus. Every meeting is open to a maximum of 10 students. If you are interested in joining these food advisory meetings, please email sga.president@illinoistech.edu. The Board conducts meetings every other Friday, with the next one on February 6.
President Cano has also appointed Senator Harold Ho as an SGA Hawkeye.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS’ REPORT:
Executive Vice President, Erick Armando Silva Jr., introduced the Constituency Engagement SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), in addition to the several initial SOP documents introduced last semester. This SOP is the first of its kind to guide Senators on how to properly write high-quality legislation. This SOP also provides a step-by-step process Senators shall go through to construct strong and effective legislation, which requires Senators to conduct research, build student support, and present their legislation effectively to the rest of their Senate. Senators can now confidently tackle their constituents’ concerns with a clear guideline of how to approach the production of new legislation.
EVP, Silva Jr., expressed that all concerns you would like SGA to address should be emailed to sga@illinoistech.edu.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Senators and Hawkeyes, Harold Ho and Syed Qadri, announced that the Engagement committee is working diligently in increasing social media presence and marketing efforts. They also announced how they are working on rebranding SGA with a new “minimalistic” logo, refreshed messaging, and a poster campaign. Vice President (VP) of Research Affairs, Gabriela, announced that their committee is currently planning their annual Research Banquet, a ceremony filled with keynotes, food, networking, and special announcements. Keep your eye out for it! Gabriela Escobedo, who is also currently overseeing the Academic Affairs committee until a new VP is appointed, announced they are currently reviewing syllabus policies to determine if changes should be petitioned. VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Pradeepya Reddy Gadipally, provided a sneak peek into some events the committee is working on with other student organizations, such as ISA x SGA: Holi Events and a Cultural Dance Event, and is planning events for Hispanic Heritage Month. The committee is also looking for a Senator to take on the Vice Chair of DEI. The DEI committee is also collaborating with the American Asian Student Association for their Lunar New Year Lunch Celebration.
Nothing was mentioned during Open Floor. That concludes this Senate update. The next Senate Meeting will take place on January 28, at 6:30 p.m. in the MTCC ballroom.