Julianna Keiter

Staff Writer

A proposal to have electric car charging stations on campus, extend the wait list during the add/drop period and elections for the Senate were revealed and discussed at the University Senate meeting on April 7, 2025.

President Kenneth Long got the ball rolling bringing up the criteria for the Grand Marshal for commencement ceremonies. To be a Grand Marshal, the individual must be an employee for “a certain length of time.”

“The individual must have participated in attending commencement ceremonies over the past several years,” said President Long.

The individual may also be an employee of the Foundation or SAA.

“The SAA and Foundation are actively involved in the day-to-day activities of the university,” said President Long. “I can name a few of them that stand out, and you can probably name a few of them that stand out that are at every commencement, are involved with all aspects of the university, and they are important contributors to the university environment. To exclude them because they’re not on the issued payroll seems a little insensitive out of place.”

During committee reports, the Academic Affairs committee, presented by Margret Ball, reported an increase in midterm grades being entered as well as comparing ESU’s withdrawal date to other universities in Pennsylvania.

What was noticed was that other colleges and universities have withdrawal dates much later in April compared to ESU, and moving up the date for withdrawal is being considered.

This topic will be discussed further in a meeting with the council of Provosts.

There was a change of language for by-laws for leave of absence for Senate activities.

“The group must notify the Senate President at least one week in advance of the absence, providing the replacements name and expected duration of the appointment,” said doctor Elizabeth Scott.

For the Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence Committee, Dr. Santiago Solis discussed the timeliness of the shuttles. The tracker for the shuttles will continue to be monitored to ensure the shuttles are staying on time and are not deviating from their route.

President Krissy Sprankle of the Student Government Association discussed the recognition of ESU DECA, SGA’s revised constitution, and the successful turn out of the executive orders information session that took place at the beginning of March. Voting for SGA office positions will take place April 18 through the 22 for new SGA officers.

The Budget Commitee, presented by Robert Cohen, determined if spending between $1,000 and $2,000 is worth spending to install level two charging stations for electric vehicles.

The proposal was to see if ESU should investigate installing level two electric vehicle charging station, and the vote was eight in favor and 22 against.

The meeting started to wrap up with nominations, voting, and the appointment of Senator positions. For President, Robert Smith and Susan Dillmuth-Miller were nominated.

For Vice President, professor Elizabeth Scott was the only one nominated, and, for Secretary, Darla Drummond was the only one nominated as well.

Professor Christopher Brookes was the only one nominated for the member at large position.

While votes were being counted, a discussion was raised about the proposal to have class waiting lists remain open until the add/drop period is over.

“Currently the class waiting lists that are in place go away the first day of class, and this proposal was that it would stay open until the ad drop period is over,” said Miller.

She then continues using the popular Sign Language class as an example of how this proposal would benefit the students and faculty.

“Sign language is a very popular class, and I’ll have seven or eight students on the waitlist. Day one, it disappears, and then I usually have about two to three students that drop. I’m worried about filling my class, so how I handle it is I go on and I copy all the students’ names, and then as I see students drop. I have to go email them to be like, ‘Sign up, you know it’s open. Sign up for my class,’ so it creates work for me, said Miller. “Plus, it’s not fair for these students who have waited all summer on the waitlist. Now the waitlist is gone, and then anyone who wants to grab sign language can after these students have waited a long time. I’d like to see some consistency, and I’d like to see it like be extended, not just go away the first day.”

The motion was passed to extend that class waiting list until the add/drop period.

The Senate meeting concluded with the announcement of the newly elected individuals. Those who won by unanimous vote for their positions were professor Brookes for member at large, Drummond for secretary, and professor Scott for Vice President.

Miller was appointed President through a 23 to 15 vote.

The next University Senate meeting, if needed, will be held on Monday, April 28, 2025.