Projects from fall semester reviewed, discussed
Student senators were decked out in their holiday finery Wednesday night for the final meeting of the body before winter break. Yarmulkes and Christmas sweaters were worn, tinsel was draped over shoulders and one senator’s festive socks made Student Body Treasurer Haley Guyton crack up during her weekly report.
“I’m sorry, I just saw Sen. Kaufman’s socks and lost it for a second,” Guyton said as Sen. Jonathan Kaufman lifted his leg to show off green and red socks with zebra stripes and white fur trimming.
The meeting served as an occasion for housekeeping, with updates delivered about projects from the past and few reports from senate leadership.
The collection and calculation of data for Rate My Landlord, a database of off-campus housing reviews, has concluded, according to President Pro Tempore Lindsay Richardson. Progress is also being made on Carolina Closet, a program to rent or loan out business clothes to students, Richardson said, though negotiations for a space to house the closet have been “a bit of a hassle.”
Student Body President Chase Mizzell touted the success of the Gamecock Pantry, which opened Nov. 18.
“We have had a number of clients come through, and the stories are remarkable,” Mizzell said. “The ways we’re able to help people are impressive and exciting.”
Walk Home Cocky, which launched on Oct. 21, has helped more than 200 students be escorted to their cars and residence halls, Mizzell said.
Richardson also proposed creating opportunities for Student Government service to be counted as an internship or become a paid position. “Quite a couple” other colleges and universities have this option for members of their student governments, and Richardson said she got her idea from Ohio State University, where members of their student government can get paid or earn class credit.