Saint Mary's Newsroom

The Student Activities Committee (SAC) invites you to the following events:

Virtual Murder Mystery

Today, Thursday, April 15

7:30 p.m. Via Zoom – Sign Up Here

Classic game of murder mystery, all from the convenience of your own home! Join SAC in finding out who the murderer is through an interactive virtual game. All prompts will be provided to students who sign up. Please sign up before 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 15.

Motivational Bingo

Friday, April 16

7 p.m. Via Zoom – Sign Up Here

You know the game! There’s music, prizes, and always a theme! This time it’s motivational! What better way to have fun safely over Zoom!

Destress Craft Kits

Saturday, April 17

11 a.m. outside Cardinal Coffee

Need to unwind? Come and relax, lean into your creative side. Grab and go bags available for rock painting, vision boards, and coloring bags will be available.

Coffee, Cocoa, and Stress Kits

Thursday, April 22

8 a.m. to noon in Plaza (First Floor Saint Mary’s Hall – Rain Location)

Free coffee and cocoa and all the fixings! Want to warm up your morning? Join us for Coffee and Cocoa. SAC will also be passing out their Finals Stress kits to the first 100 participants. Come early to snag one for yourself!

Upcoming Events: 

Harry Potter Trivia: April 23 at 8 p.m. via Zoom – Sign Up Here

Plazapalooza: April 28 at 7 p.m. in the Plaza – Free food, T-shirts, music, and games

Outdoor Leadership Event: April 30, Time/Location TBA

SAC Year End Member Party: May 1 at 6 p.m., Location TBA

For more information, follow SAC on Instagram @smumnsac.

Questions? Email studentactivities@smumn.edu.

Receive the SAC weekly meeting invite and events list. 

Want to join SAC? Contact SAC president Sarah Fowler at safowl17@smumn.edu.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Art and Written Word Contest entries are due Thursday, April 15, at 4 p.m. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to help our community reflect on and raise awareness of this critical issue, as well as show support to survivors everywhere by contributing to the contest.

Submissions should be an original piece that addresses one (or several) of the following topics:

• Sexual assault
• Gender-based/dating violence
• Consent
• Social norming

Any media may be used including: poem, short story, essay, painting, drawing, sculpture, song, dance, skit, etc.

Submissions must be appropriate and respectful of this serious issue. No piece of art is too minuscule. A committee will judge the works to determine a winner. Winners will receive a $10 gift card to use at Cardinal Coffee or the Market courtesy of Chartwells. Submissions will be displayed in the Hall of Fame Room. To submit a piece, please make arrangements to drop it off at the Office of R.I.S.E. (Vlazny 106).

Get more information on the contest and the judging criteria.

If you have any questions, please email the Office of R.I.S.E. at rise@smumn.edu.

Student Senate – April 13, 2021

Meeting called to order by President Kendall Archer at 7 p.m.

Prayer by Collin van Waardenburg

Members present: Cece Abel, Kendall Archer, Samantha Carlson, Larkin Clem, Jake Emeott, Sarah Fowler, Mary Furlong, Riley Hall, Noah Kimel, Jonathon Krull, Abi Lang, Thomas Magnavite, Allison Moysis, Tara Nikolich, Nicole Noreen, Lyanna Novak, Enitan Onayiga, Sophia O’Neil, Angel Sacta Espinoza, Joseph Schauf, Ryan Stoynich (proxy Nash Wood), Collin van Waardenburg, Destiny Walker, Elijah Willaims

Members absent: Megan Kowalis

Members excused: Gabriel Graves, Ryan Stoynich (proxy Nash Wood)

Discussion items

• Presentation by Tracy Lehnertz, associate dean of International Programs and director of University Effectiveness
  • Presentation on NSSE results for Saint Mary’s
    • Research on student engagement, used to assess improvement efforts
    • Assesses first-year and senior students (most recently in 2019)
      • Results compared to other schools in the Midwestern region
    • Strengths at Saint Mary’s
      • Collaborative learning, quantitative reasoning, quality of interactions, and student-faculty interaction
    • We seek to improve on areas where the survey shows the need
    • Thank you for taking part in this survey
    • Question and answer
      • Elijah Williams, “Based on the meetings you’ve had with faculty and administration are there any plans to alleviate the areas where work is needed”
        • Tracy Lehnertz “We are working with department chairs and the deans to work on the learning strategy areas; professors will be implementing more of this in class. The administration wanted us to put this information out for people to view.”
      • Jonathon Krull “In regards to the percentage of students who would “definitely” or “probably” attend this institution again, we rank notably lower than similar universities, how do we plan to improve this?”
        • Tracy Lehnertz “The university academic council is digging into this more, looking at the open-ended comments by students. We are also looking at other data sets as well, by looking at this we can put it more into context. Last year, we decided not to do a student satisfaction survey but will be this year to find more input.”
      • Destiny Walker “With the areas we performed lower in, the lack of interaction with students of diverse backgrounds, have we touched on that and how we plan to increase that?”
        • Tracy Lehnertz “We can dig deeper into these results to better understand this. Our campus here lacks diversity in some ways, we as an institution are looking at ways for students to connect with students of varying backgrounds. This is in the works with strategic planning as well.”
      • Kendall Archer “Is there a student voice in the conversations that are occurring, if not is that something we could include?”
        • Marisa Naryka “VP of Academic Affairs has been involved with that, we can make a note to make sure student voices are included.”
• Capital Improvement Presentation
  • Angel Sacta Espinoza, chair of The Capital Improvement Request Committee
    • Two being presented today by James (Twigz) McGuire, coordinator of R.I.S.E. 
    • Request for Nordic Ski Equipment
      • Coordination between R.I.S.E. and the Environmental Awareness Center
      • Students can use the ski equipment free of charge
      • Equipment is in need of repairs
      • $2,000 requested to purchase new boots and equipment
        • 21 new sets of boots
        • We will be looking at second-hand sales as well to keep the price low
      • Questions:
        • Lyanna Novak “Why are you requesting $2,000 and who will pay the remaining amount?”
        • Twigz McGuire “We are hoping with after-season sales and second-hand sales that the total cost will be $2,000”
    • Request for two TV monitors in the library (and the computer to operate it)
      • One in the entrance near the librarian desk
      • Total requested $1,440
      • Several individuals in the administration requested this to be done to improve communication on campus
      • Questions:
        • Joseph Schauf “Are there any ideas for the location of the second TV?”
          • “No, not yet. We will be looking at various locations this summer.”
    • We will be voting on which projects to fund next week at the Senate Meeting
• SAGA Special Request
  • Destiny Walker, Denise, and Angelyssa Figueroa present
    • Requesting for Campus Pride Month events
    • Next week they are hoping to host a series of events
      • Looking for funds for pronoun making art night
  • Requested funding at $345
    • Materials for the bracelet making
  • Recommended funding at $345
  • Motion to fund at $345 by Enitan Onayiga
  • Seconded by Sophia O’Neil
  • Motion to fund at $345 passes with one abstention
• Club Hockey Budget
  • Kohl Babcock present
  • Requested funding at $10,000
    • ACHA dues
    • Travel and hotel
    • Referees and trainers
  • Recommended funding at $8,360
  • Questions:
    • How do you plan to fund raise to offset the costs?
      • We plan to work at various events as security, secure a sponsorship, or player dues.
    • How many players do you have on the team?
      • 15-20 players for the next season
    • How do you justify the amount that you are requesting?
      • We understand that we are an expensive club, with being an expensive club we are one of the only clubs on campus that can recruit players. We currently have four possible recruits for next year. Our fundraisers also help justify it.
    • When was the last time you had an ACHA game?
      • Last year, under the ACHA you must play a certain number of games. It is the league we play under.
    • The places you are planning on playing at this year are they set in stone?
      • We have verbal and written commitments for these games. We don’t have exact dates and times yet.
    • With your hotels, you are requesting $1,000 but you mention you need $2,000. Will you be special requesting that later?
      • We are hoping our fundraisers this summer will cover that. Otherwise, we can special request it.
  • Motion to add 5 minutes to the discussion by Riley Hall
  • Seconded by Joseph Schauf
  • Questions:
    • What are your player dues? How much money will players be paying?
      • It depends on how many players we have. We believe they will be $400 per person
    • If you have $6,000 for player dues, how does that account for your additional request for funding?
      • We have an ideal budget set, the total for that would be $20,259 for a 24 game season
  • Motion to fund at $8,360 by Joseph Schauf
  • Seconded by Jake Emeott
  • Motion to fund at $8,360 passes unanimously
• Future Health Professionals Budget
  • Elijah Williams present
    • Sees and assists with anything health-related
    • Club has seen explosive growth this year
      • 69 active members
      • 20-35 members at club meetings
      • 10-25 members at club events
  • Requested funding at $1,430
    • Movies
    • Annual donations
    • Cookies and other appetizers
    • Advertising
    • Guest speakers
    • Travel to events
  • Recommended funding at $580
  • Motion to fund at $580 by Joseph Schauf
  • Seconded by Collin van Waardenburg
  • Motion to fund at $580 passes with one abstention
• CAC Budget
  • Shane Breslin present
    • We participate in Relay for Life and No-Shave November
  • Requested funding at $370
    • Supplies for Relay for Life
    • T-Shirts for No-Shave November
  • Question:
    • Shirts, are they for those who participate? 
      • They are sold through donations, those who participate receive a shirt once they sign up
  • Recommended funding at $370
  • Motion to fund at $370 by Cece
  • Seconded by Enitan Onayiga
  • Motion to fund at $370 passes with one abstention
• Club Soccer Budget
  •  Requested funding at $440
    • Pennee tees
    • Soccer balls
    • Ball pump
  • Recommended funding at $440
  • Questions/comments:
    • Destiny: The individual who represents the club is in quarantine currently. Prior to COVID, they were a pretty active club. 
    • Angel: As a member of the club we are a pretty active club, 20 individuals typically show up. We used to travel every weekend to play games against other universities, the members would drive on their own as well. Many active alumni also come back and play in scrimmages as well in addition to the actual soccer teams playing. 
  • Motion to fund at $440 by Sophia O’Neil
  • Seconded by Samantha Carlson
  • Motion to fund at $440 passes with one abstention
• SAGA Budget
  • Destiny Walker present
    • Safe space for those in the LGBTQ+ community
    • Provides programming that provides solidarity and safety
    • Previously have hosted movie nights, attended conferences, and hosted trivia on campus.
  • Requested funding at $1,005
  • Recommended funding at $290
  • Motion to fund at $290 by Sophia O’Neil
  • Seconded by Riley Hall
  • Motion to fund at $290 passes with three abstentions 
• IAK Budget
  • Hallie Schmiling present
    • Club was created last spring
    • Intentional Acts of Kindness club holds one meeting and one event every month
    • Offers opportunities for campus members to spread kindness
  • Requested funding at $594
  • Recommended funding at $500
  • Motion to fund at $500 by Lyanna Novak
  • Seconded by Sophia O’Neil
  • Motion to fund at $500 passes unanimously
• Executive Board Updates
  • Kendall Archer, president
    • Class officer election has been postponed due to stress, will be held in the fall
  • Jonathon Krull, VP of Media and Communications and executive assistant
    • Internet update
    • Senators, please have your cameras on during the Senate meeting unless you are excused prior to the meeting
  • Angel Sacta Espinosa, VP for Campus Affairs
    • Capital Improvement voting will be at the next meeting
  • Nicole Noreen, VP for Financial Affairs
    • Next week
  • Destiny Walker, VP for Multicultural Affairs
    • Next week there will be numerous events for Campus Pride Month
  • Mary Furlong, VP for Academic Affairs
    • Thank you for your feedback on the new campus schedule!
    • Wellness Day is coming up on April 28
  • Elijah Williams, VP for Student Life
    • We had a productive meeting in regards to the complaint with Alumni Relations and Development
      • Philanthropy is important to the university
      • Alumni Relations and Development apologizes for the way the event turned out, a statement from the committee will appear on the Senate Instagram
  • Sarah Fowler, SAC President
    • Murder Mystery Thursday at 7 p.m.
      
    • Motivational Bingo Friday at 7 p.m.
      
    • Destress activities at 11 a.m. Saturday
    • Jillian Alenka will be the incoming SAC president
  • Marisa Naryka, adviser
    • Student Affairs nominations will be coming out for club of the year and adviser of the year in the coming weeks
    • Senator of the year is coming up soon, nominations will be coming up
• Class Officer Reports
• Freshman: No updates
• Sophomore: No updates
• Junior: No updates
• Senior: Continuing to meet with Marisa and Twigz and putting finishing touches on Senior Day. There will also be a senior dinner that will be put on with the faculty as well, waiting for final approval.

• Motion to adjourn
  • Motioned by Joseph Schauf
  • Seconded by Sophia O’Neil
  • Time 8:48 p.m.

Finalize some good study habits before finals with a Peer Learning Assistant (PLA). The end of the semester is coming up, and if you’ve been struggling with studying or time management, there’s still plenty of time to meet with a PLA to get back on track. Come visit a PLA in HC19 or by Zoom today!

You can get the help you need by signing up for a peer tutor or PLA at smumn.joinknack.com.

Don’t have the Knack app? Download Knack in the App Store or get it on Google Play.

Get help with any part of the writing process by contacting the Saint Mary’s Writing Center.

Metacognition – Learning about your learning.

Graduating seniors,

Caps and gowns have arrived and will be distributed through the campus mailroom. Graduating seniors will receive notification via email that a package is available for pick up in a parcel locker.

Graduates can reserve two tickets for commencement guests. Please note that only those family members or guests with tickets are permitted on campus on May 8. To request tickets, please complete this commencement ticket form. Tickets will be emailed to guests.

If you have any questions regarding caps and gowns or tickets, please email academicaffairs@smumn.edu.

The Biology Club, Campus Ministry, RISE, and Brother John Grover, FSC, will lead a group of volunteers for Spruce Up Winona Saturday, April 17. The group will clear out invasive species from Winona trails. If interested, meet at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 17 at Brother Leopold Hall. Join the group in this important act of service for our community! If you have questions, please email RISE@smumn.edu.