Faculty from the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center addressed Students’ Association senators at the SA meeting on Monday night.
Jody Owen, Senior Director of Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center and Tina Birgen, Coordinator for Student Success and Opportunity thanks senators for serving.
Birgen said the Wintrode Center launched a new program to create self-help and social media reels. They can be found at the bottom of the MyState student dashboard.
The pilot program was successful last year, Birgen said.
“They did a first gen highlight, how to stay motivated, online tutoring, check in for the first year advising center, you belong here,” Birgen said. “And that was one of the sense of belonging from several different campus partners where we created reels to help students know that they belong here.”
Wintrode also released Thanksgiving break room check and University Police Department safety tip reels.
SA voted to award Jack’s Cupboard with a $600 new venture fund to support the students who lead the group. The $600 requested will not fund food purchases, according to the new venture fund request that Jack’s Cupboard submitted to SA. The funds will be used “for programming and outreach events, team bonding, training and volunteer appreciation.”
Jack’s Cupboard will be placed on the general budget for the 2027 fiscal year, which runs from July 2026 to June 2027.
The Pheasants Forever club was also added to the general budget for the 2027 fiscal year, which runs from July 2026 to June 2027. The amount they receive next year will be decided when senators determine the budget in the spring.
Senators had a first reading of an amendment to Students’ Association finance bylaws. SA chief of staff Emma Peterson said the amendment is being proposed because current finance bylaws are confusing and vague.
“We just wanted to clean it (the bylaws) up, make it more clear, easier for us and easier for clubs,” Peterson said.
Senator-at-large petitions will open Nov. 17. If you’re interested or want more information, email SA Vice President Wesley Siira at [email protected].
SA ended Monday’s meeting with senators going into executive session for “new adviser discussion.” Current SA advisers are Micheala Willis, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, and Chris Schmit, faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of the Water and Environmental Engineering Research Center.
