Senators for the Shippensburg University student government association held a crowded first meeting with the public on Feb. 12 in CUB 119.

Three new senators were sworn in. The senators also discussed multiple reports, university committees, unfinished business and new business. 

After the call to order, Commuter Senator Sophie Showers; Senator Jordan Tran, Class of 2027; and Senator Benjamin Perrin, Class of 2028, were sworn in. 

Following the roll call with multiple senators not attending the meeting, President Ella Zinn said officer candidate speeches will be on Feb. 19, and elections will take place the following week from Feb. 23 through Feb. 26. She then asked for officer reports.

Vice President Daniel McCleary said he would gladly answer any questions students had regarding budgets, student groups, SGA or any other concerns.

Emily Wojnarski, vice president of finance, said she will be running for SGA president for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

Also, Wojnarski announced the reviewing of the operating budget request for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The review with SGA on Feb. 26 will be posted and after approval from SGA, the draft to the public will also be shared. 

The budget finance community is looking for new members and those inquiring can reach out to Wojnarski. 

The floor was turned over to Chase Garrison, vice president of student groups, who proposed a motion for the student groups handbook to update administrators who have left and add their replacements along with other minor changes. 

The senators’ reports had a broad array of information for the student body. Senator Kenny Tran said all seniors should have received an email for cap and gown orders. March 16 will be the end date for orders. After the deadline to pre-order a cap and gown, the products will be available at the bookstore starting April 20. 

For the upcoming election, Ryan Mills said he will be running for the vice president of finance position. 

Showers, the new commuter senator, said she is currently working on a survey focused on what commuter students want from the school. For example, Showers recognizes the need to increase awareness of road safety and/or consider more speed bumps. Showers ended, saying any changes students would like to voice are being heard. 

Since the president’s cabinet has not met since the last public meeting, no new information was available. The president’s cabinet will have its first meeting on Feb. 23 at 9:30 a.m. to provide a report for the next public meeting. 

The university forum provided updates on changes within certain majors and minors. Mills said French 101, 102 and 103 are now being counted toward the French minor. Physics 1 and 2 labs now count for the Electrical Engineering degree, The math majors and minors program  now includes more ways for students to build well-rounded skills in math and better prepare them for the workforce. 

Mills concluded new procedures are in place for Big Red’s cupboard. An online order form is provided on Instagram.    

The new business consisted of two budget finance committee members completing the training necessary to be granted voting rights within the committee. Voting rights for Chase Garrison and Kamryn Wilkerson were seconded, and the vote passed. 

The student groups committee made minor clerical changes to the student groups handbook. The motion to approve the changes was seconded and passed unanimously. 

The Senator spotlight for the month was given to Mills, College of Arts and Sciences Senator. 

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