On March 11, in its last meeting before Spring Break, the Student Government Association (SGA) discussed plans for the future and approved two new clubs. The meeting addressed a number of student concerns with Dining Services and changes to expect in upcoming years.

Drummond Dorm President Andrew Fabricant ’13 suggested that excess food be given to Sodexo employees. “Last Friday I was at my first multicultural affairs committee and a topic of discussion was the amount of wasted food in Sodexo. It came up that Sodexo employees cannot take food home with them at the end of the night,” he said. Fabricant suggested that the dining service committee pressure the administration to change this policy. “It’s a sensitive subject, but some employees do not have enough money to buy enough food,” he said.

Senior Apartments Dorm President Claire Grady ’12 expressed her appreciation for the newer, stronger exit signs that have been replacing fallen ones in the Senior Apartments. Suggesting that there should be a move to implement this initiative across campus, Sturtevant Dorm President Kelly Ling ’14 commented that “every single flood light on the second floor of Sturtevant got ripped down because they’re made of plastic.”

Sophomore Class Co-President Cole Yaverbaum ’14 moved for SGA to recommend that the Physical Plant Department (PPD) approve the placement of stickers that read “turn me off” on all light switches that do not have them. EnviroCo Club President Renzo Moyano ’14 has had little success in negotiating with PPD, and, while the club is willing to put the stickers on switches themselves, they would like SGA’s support.

While proposing the Nirvana Club, a name that may be subject to change, Tommy Kader ’14 said, “I think my message is unique, and it’s different than what a lot of yoga instructors teach.” The club would focus on providing sessions for groups of students to come together for yoga, which Kader said he became involved in last year because he was “always running between school and social life and hockey and never really found a good balance.” SGA passed this club unanimously.

The Express Poetry Club, proposed by Tionna Haynes ’15 and Shadiyet Ajao ’15, was introduced as a poetry outlet for students to learn about, share and hear poetry from a broad range of sources. “A lot of great people on campus don’t really have a way of getting their voice out,” Ajao said, and the club would be an attempt to open another forum. The group would also work to become involved with poets in the Waterville community and perhaps initiate readings for local school children. “We want to start this poetry club at school because it is a way [for students] to express themselves in an unconventional way,” Haynes said.

Responding to the prospect of Foss Dining Hall becoming a strictly vegetarian option, Residential Life Chair Sam Andler ’12 said, “It used to be seen as a very earthy-crunchy dining hall with a healthy focus and they’re trying to get back to that.” He went on to say that, while more vegan and vegetarian items would be introduced, the dining hall would continue to serve white meat such as chicken, turkey and fish.

East Quad Dorm President Monica Davis ’13 suggested that, if this change did occur, Dining Services consider ending Meatless Mondays because only one dining hall would be serving meat on that day. Davis also raised the concern that dining halls have been cleaning up at exactly seven o’clock, even as they allow students to enter for dinner.

Addressing this complaint, Sophomore Class Co-President Wayne Kim ’14 promised to speak to the dining services committee about these concerns and the issue of running out of food, which he cited as a major problem for athletes who must attend a late dinner.

In the busy week before Spring Break, SGA will fund free coffee to be served in the library. Though elections for next year’s SGA will be resolved this week, the current members remain active in pursuing reforms and initiatives throughout the semester.