PSGA Blog Number Eight: The Senate Discusses Beautification of Campus Construction

This week, the PSGA met to once again discuss the issue of the Probation Resolution and raised some of the same concerns as last week. Also, guest speaker Kristina Colby presented an upcoming art project to the Senate that she said will liven the appearance of some construction sites on campus.

Coordinator of Histories and Documents Steve Sabel, who was not present at last week’s meeting because he was visiting SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, explained the significance and clarified the purpose of the Probation Resolution. According to Sabel, this is a mandatory Purchase College policy that cannot be unendorsed.

As a courtesy, the Purchase College Association brought the proposed changes to the PSGA to hear their opinion, even though they can ultimately reject it.

Sabel also told the Senate that these changes were made to improve the previous probation policy, which he said was random and sporadic. He said that this was a collaborative effort between the college and the PSGA.

Even after this information and clarification, the Senate said they felt it wasn’t possible to reach a decision at the meeting. A motion was passed to bring the issue to the Steering Committee for further discussion.

Colby spoke about her impending art project, “Art on the Fence.” She said that the construction crew has given her 19 panels to decorate that will be on display on the construction sites outside of Campus Center North and the Natural Sciences building. They also discussed that students involved in the project are responsible for installing and removing the art, which will need to come down by December.

The project has already been approved by Purchase College President Thomas J. Schwarz and Provost Damian J. Fernandez, but Colby said she seeks help in decorating the panels.

“Ideally, this project will continue for the duration of the construction,” she said. The Purchase College Association also mentioned donating money to the project if Colby would consider making it a contest.  “It would be my dream to see this happen,” said Colby, who will be graduating in December.

In other news, another Associate Justice candidate was brought to the Senate. When voting on the motion to appoint Jason Kuang to the position, the Senate got caught up in some confusion involving the way in which votes should be counted using Robert's Rules.

“It’s under my discretion how Robert’s Rules works in my Senate,” said Chair of the Senate Brittany Mayes. A motion was passed to vote again next week once the rules have been straightened out and Kuang had presented a resume.

According to the week’s executive reports, PSGA President Kevin Collymore met with Director of Student Life and Community Partnerships Jason Alt and Chief of Police Joe Olenik to discuss college policy regarding weekend events.

He said that anyone hosting an event on campus is now subject up to a maximum payment of $360 for additional security. Collymore also suggested having security at the entrances to Purchase instead of other locations such as the doors of the Stood during large campus events.