South Dakota State University’s Students’ Association observed the swearing-in of Trinity Peterson and Hayden Bentz as president and vice president of SA, alongside new senators and executive team Monday during its weekly Monday meeting.
Open Forum
SA awarded faculty members for their dedicated service to the campus community.
Peterson awarded Captain Brandon Reese, assistant professor for Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC), as ‘2024 Faculty Adviser of the Year.’ Reese’s nominators said that he ensures the well-being of his students, both physically and mentally.
Steph Bebensee, professional academic adviser for College of Nursing received the ‘2024 Professional Adviser of the Year’ award. Peterson spoke about Bebensee’s outstanding support for her students.
The ‘2024 Student Organization Adviser of the Year’ award was handed out to Brittney Meyer. Meyer serves as the adviser for Student Collaboration for the Advancement and Promotion of Pharmacy (SCAPP). Meyer’s nominators state that her kindness and commitment for student growth shows no bounds.
Peterson announced the ‘Campus Partner of the Year’ award to Kimberly Grieve, temporary interim associate vice president for Student Affairs.
“She stepped into her role as interim vice president for Student Affairs just at the beginning of this year and even at her short time at SDSU, she has left her mark on supporting student initiatives and carrying a smile with her wherever she goes,” Peterson said.
Government Affairs Chair Michael Garofalo received the ‘Senator of the Year’ award while B Wilson, Ex-Officio for Gender and Sexualities Alliance (GSA), received the award for ‘Ex-Officio of the Year.’ Both the nominees were voted by the Senate body.
Committee and Staff Reports
Peterson provided insights on her favorite results that have been achieved this year. First, successfully lobbying the legislature to receive a tuition freeze for the 2024-2025 school year.
Secondly, expanding food service hours for students and adding 16 new student organizations to the campus community which included spending all $50,000 from the Student Promotion Fund. Lastly, allocating almost $80 million through the General Activity Fee (GAF) strategic planning process and support student organizations in other services.
“A year ago, I sat around this table as CAFES senator and vice-president elect without a clue, I realized I was getting myself into,” Peterson said. “I can confidently say that this year was what I had pictured, and I am very proud of what we have achieved as a Senate.”
Both Peterson and Chief of Staff Benjamin Connor thanked the executive team and senators for their hours dedicated towards making SDSU a better place.
Vice President Bentz informed the Senate about meeting the Mayor of Brookings, Opeke ‘Ope’ Niemeyer along with Peterson and discussed transportation issues and possible solutions.
Finance Chair Katie Neuhas informed the Senate about the approval of the ‘FY 2025 General Budget’ through the University Activity Fee and Budgeting Committee.
Garofalo shared the significance of the Student Promotion Fund allocated for student organizations. Each year, $50,000 is allocated for these funds. However, Garofalo was pleased to inform the Senate about exceeding the limit of funds to around $68,000 to help support student organizations.
Grieve provided the Senate with an update on the Telehealth program. The program will feature its pilot beginning Monday, April 15.
Senator At-Large Grace Barnett informed the Senate on the Food Safety Audit and General Safety Audit conducted by SODEXO to ensure functioning of equipment and safety of staff respectively.
Unfinished Business
Senators discussed Amendment 23-15-A to introduce a new campaign finance standard to limit spending for campaign expenditures and create fundamentally equal circumstances for candidates running in SA elections. The amendment is motioned to lay on the table.
Resolution 23-11-R was also discussed to show SA’s potential support of the Title IX office moving from Morrill Hall to the Miller Wellness Center to increase awareness, comfortability and accessibility of reporting resources. The resolution is tabled.
Senators voted on Resolution 23-12-R to affirm the right of free speech and free expression for student organizations and to ask the South Dakota Legislature to affirm rights of free speech and free expression for student organizations as well. The resolution was taken to a roll call and approved.
The Senate voted on Commemoration 23-10-C to commemorate the 2023-2024 Student Promotion Fund Committee. Commemoration 23-11-C was also voted as SA commemorated 2024 senior members for their work and dedication to the students of SDSU.
Commemoration 23-12-C, 23-13-C and 23-14-C were voted on as SA commemorated and thanked Dr. Kimberly Grieve, interim associate vice president for Student Services and Enrollment Management for her service to students of SDSU, and Charlene Wolf-Hall, Dean for College of Natural Sciences, and Lynn Sargeant, Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS).
Senators voted on the last Commemoration for the meeting. Commemoration 23-15-C was aimed to commemorate March 2024 as Women’s History Month and encourage students to participate and engage with events related to the same.
Commemorations 23-10-C through 23-15-C were taken to a voice vote and approved.
New Business
Garofalo conducted the swearing-in ceremony with the presence of Senators and executive team for both Peterson and Bentz as president and vice president of the SA.
Bentz proceeded to inform the Senate of the selection process for new Senators At-Large. Out of the five candidates, four of them were selected to serve the SA committee. A motion was taken to approve the new Senators At-Large.
Peterson also conducted the swearing-in ceremony of all senators, inclusive of both new and returning senators.
Peterson and Bentz further informed the Senate of conducting interviews for the new executive team. Peterson introduced Rylee Sabo as Chief of Staff, Grace Peterson as Finance Chair, Claire Koenecke as Government Affairs Chair, Gabby Fink as Communications Chair and Hannah Dayaget as Diversity Chair.
The approval of new appointees was taken to a roll call and voted upon by the new committee.
The new SA committee members will kick-off their first general meeting session Monday, April 15.