Some $88,312 remains in Senate Reserves for future events and programs, according to Internal Affairs Commission Chair Amanda Clark
By VINCE BASADA — campus@theaggie.org
ASUCD Internal Vice President Aaminah Mohammad called the Nov. 21 senate meeting to order at 6:18 p.m. before reading the UC Davis Land Acknowledgement.
The table first heard from the Innovation and Research Lab (IRL), ASUCD’s in-house software and research group, which has been looking at ways to increase campus and athletic engagement from students. The speakers list included IRL researchers Brady Horton, a fourth-year political science and statistics double major, Brendan Lin, a second-year economics and statistics double major, and Dyson Smith, a fourth-year statistics major.
Based on surveys and interviews from some 387 respondents, the IRL found that 60% of students rarely or never attend athletics games. To address this, the IRL recommended that the senate direct efforts toward creating community-oriented experiences (especially for transfer and first-generation students), form direct collaborations with registered student organizations and downtown businesses and embrace and market unique aspects of UC Davis culture (such as biking and agriculture).
Smith elaborated on the reasoning behind the recommendations.
“UC Davis students traditionally find small-scale social solidarity,” Smith said. “They often find their highest sense of connectedness in their [registered student groups] and in their friend groups.”
After this, the senate unanimously confirmed Vanessa Sandoval, second-year environmental science and management major, as vice-chair of the Planet Her Committee.
“There is an increasing importance [to] protect women’s rights and freedoms right now,” Sandoval said on her confirmation. “It is more important than ever right now for students to know that we will be working to create a space for women.”
A series of quarterly reports were heard throughout the night, beginning with the Judicial Council (JC). Deputy Justice Albena Goulisheva, a fourth-year political science major, presented in lieu of Head Justice Katrine Lee, who was unavailable. Goulisheva was joined by several of the council’s other justices and reported that the JC had received no appeals from the fall 2024 ASUCD elections.
Unit Director Andie Tarabzooni, a third-year economics and communications double major, then reported for The Pantry. Tarabzooni reported that over the past quarter, the unit has experienced difficulties due to no longer having a career staff advisor. Despite this setback, Tarabzooni announced The Pantry’s plans to open a new mobile pantry location, prioritize sustainability, procure easily distributable cultural (kosher/halal) foods, open Costco and Sysco accounts and expand its menu and hours.
Tarabzooni also noted that there have been issues with keeping items stocked, exacerbated by The Pantry recently distancing itself from a food supplier. However, despite the supplier’s problems with delivered products, the on-campus food bank has served 9,350 individuals and distributed 7,430 pounds of food this fall.
ASUCD Information Technology’s Lead Programmer Marvin Lee, a fourth-year computer science major, presented next and noted that KDVS’ new website is scheduled to launch on Dec. 16.
This was followed by the Sexual Assault Awareness Advocacy Committee’s report from Chair Vrinda Vutukury, a fourth-year international relations and economics double major. She noted plans with risk management officers to make sure Greek life awareness work is not just “performative,” as well as plans for an upcoming martial arts self-defense event. Vutukury also said that her strategy for her term is to focus on assault prevention efforts, such as improving campus lighting.
The senate also heard from Student Health and Wellness Unit Director Glenna Grant, a second-year communications and psychology double major, who hopes to increase accessibility to safe-sex products throughout campus, before taking a short break.
After returning to the meeting, the table heard quarterly reports from two senators. First, Gender and Sexuality Commission Chair Tristen Dillard highlighted the upcoming Gender Empowerment and Reproductive Freedom Movie Night on Dec. 3 and issues with onboarding staffers. Then, Internal Affairs Commission Chair Amanda Clark reported that only three senators’ offices had requested money since the start of the academic year.
“Many of you ran on great platforms,” Clark said from the report. “You have [the] funds to help address the concerns in your platform. Please use them.”
Clark also reported that $88,312 remained in the Senate Reserves out of $100,000 and that all $25,000 of the Safety Initiative Fund remained untapped.
Afterward, the senate unanimously amended the 2024-25 budget to reallocate some $11,200 from the Job Creation Fund to the Inclusive Fellowship/ASUCD scholarships.
The senate passed the consent calendar and approved old meeting minutes before adjourning at 9:27 p.m.
Written by: Vince Basada — campus@theaggie.org
