At Student Council’s weekly Tuesday night meeting, members discussed community concerns including the Ambassadors Program and the Board of Visitors’ negative response to requests for student involvement in the Strategic Investment Fund.
The meeting began with a discussion of members’ concerns and concerns brought to the attention of Student Council members by students.
One concern was focused on the Ambassadors Program, a system designed to provide a “friendly, helpful level of security,” according to the University. This concern was sparked by The Cavalier Daily’s lead editorial questioning the efficacy of the Ambassadors program.
Vice President for Administration Sarah Kenny, a third-year College student, assured Student Council the program had been designed specifically to keep students safe and comfortable.
“They’ve been strategically placed in high-traffic areas,” Kenny said, although she added perhaps it would be beneficial to have an ambassador speak at a meeting and explain the program more thoroughly.
Student Council President Emily Lodge, a fourth-year Batten student, recommended conducting a survey of student opinion on the ambassadors.
The council also heard updates from its executive board members, beginning with Maeve Curtin, Charlottesville City Council liaison and third-year College student.
She reported that she had been in contact with the City Council and the Charlottesville Police Department regarding a perceived uptick in police presence around Grounds and particularly at parties and bars since the beginning of this semester.
“We are continuing to discuss how we can keep a positive relationship with them,” Curtin said.
Lodge provided an update on the effort to ensure student involvement in the decision-making process of the Strategic Investment Fund, which Student Council discussed in their first meeting of the year.
Representative Body Chair Brett Curtis, a third-year Curry student, felt the reply from the Board of Visitors had been unsatisfactory.
“It was a particularly unhelpful response at best,” Curtis said.
Lodge also announced a project to recognize student organizations on Grounds. She hoped the project would “[use Student Council] and our platform to promote great organizations in the University community.”
The project will not only involve promoting certain groups through Student Council outreach, but will also involve meetings with members of Student Council in an attempt to learn more about the achievements and struggles of student groups on Grounds. A major benefit for the organizations however, will be exposure to more of the student body through Student Council’s platform.
“We can use our StudCo newsletter that goes out to the whole school to highlight some of those groups,” Lodge said.
Correction: This article previously stated that Phoebe Willis attended the Student Council meeting on Sept. 13. Ms. Willis never stated that "she had seen little success in her attempt to push for student input."
Read More
Police forcefully clear encampment near University Chapel, detain protesters
By Thomas Baxter and Finn Trainer | 19 hours agoThe University declared the encampment an unlawful assembly at 2:44 p.m.
Student Council passes appointment bill, approves new CIOs at final meeting of semester
By Arshiya Pant | YesterdayMendoza Gonzalez also said she will be meeting with Kenyon R. Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, to discuss further strategies for the Student Council Endowment Fund.
Professors speak about leading productive dialogue on Israel-Hamas war
By Lexie Stadler | 2 days agoThe event was hosted by the University’s Task Force on Religious Diversity and Belonging, which is designed to ensure that the University is welcoming to community members from all religions and cultures.
