The General Board Meeting for the Student Government Association began at 8:00 PM.
Reports & Presentations
Amy Wright from Career Services gave a presentation informing students on what Career Services is, what sort of services and support they provide for students as well as events they hold. Wright began by giving some statistics for students to consider. 80% of students entering colleges aren’t sure what they want to major in, even if they already have a declared major. Over 50% of students change their major at least once before graduation.
Career Services is meant to give students opportunities to explore their interests and prepare for success outside of college. Wright explained, “employers reach out [to Career Services] nearly daily to get word out about job offers.” Career Services will help you search for a job, on or off-campus, as well as give you feedback on your resume or cover letter. The office will also assist in setting up an interview with a potential employer.
In addition, Career Services manages career development events, such as workshops, employer visits, and job fairs. There’s a job fair that occurs every third Thursday of the month. Three to seven tables of employers are set up in the theater lobby from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM for students can drop by and ask questions.
Career Services also hosts a career closet with free professional outfits for interviews, work, internships, and more. It is currently open by appointment only. Anyone interested should contact Wright.
Career Services is also available to speak with students about internships, grad school, and identifying career-related interests, skills, values. Wright says, “Any career-related questions that you might have, I would love to help you with.” Students can connect with Career Services on the NVU website or by visiting the office in LAC 323.
Financial Update
There is $53,756.48 available in the SGA financial account, the total amount being $87,356.48.
Discussion & Action Items
Joshua Dick, the President of the NVU Gardening Club, requested $2,000 for club activity funds. The club wants to host a tree-planting ceremony on Earth Day in partnership with the 10% Committee. The committee would fund the trees, but other plants surrounding the trees would be purchased by the Gardening Club with this funding request. The club is also planning on spending $300 on a grow light, $25 for plant tags, and $100 for a honeycomb trellis. NVU Gardening Club plans to use $1,000 of their funding request on merch. The motion to approve the club’s $2,000 request was taken and approved.
The SGA proposed to purchase 21-inch standard metal bleachers to replace the current wooden bleachers that are outside the soccer field. The wooden bleachers are deteriorating and splintering, and replacement metal bleachers would be an improvement. The bleachers would cost $4,800, and the cost would come out of the 49900 account. A motion to spend the full amount on new bleachers was approved.
The SGA also proposed a $1,800 convection oven for the Hornet’s Nest. The oven would allow the Hornet’s Nest to run more specials, cook food faster, and improve student traffic. The SGA body also approved this purchase.
Concerning the new Hornet Mascot, which was discussed at the last meeting, the costume company is currently sketching out what the new Buzz the Hornet costume would look like. The SGA is still awaiting a price estimate.
Other Business
The Vermont State College System Association met over the Thanksgiving Break and discussed the Newly Combined Entity, how scholarships might be affected over the transformation, and what each Student Government Association on each campus is up to.
Club & Committee Updates
MEISA is collaborating with Catamount Arts to host a battle of the bands at the Green Mountain Mall on February 11, 2022. Auditions will be on January 31 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM in the Twilight Theater. It will be open to the community.
AMS’s annual talent show has been postponed to next semester.
Lyndon Day will be on January 28, 2022. It will be a full day of events starting at 8:00 AM and lasting until 4:00 or 5:00 pm. There will be an involvement fair in the morning and winter-themed activities throughout the day.