By ALEXANDER PECHA
Arts Editor
President Stefanco and Student Association executive discussed new information from college administration on Wednesday evening. President Stefanco discussed the possibility of finding the College its own unique hook which she opened up for discussion with the general Student Association membership. Later in the meeting, Student Association President Justin Whittaker and Director of Social Activities Patrick Burke announced as well as explained a possible rearrangement of the POD/ Burger Studio in Centennial Hall.
President Stefanco was the first person to talk during the meeting. She explained how at the last “Presidents Day” at the College, a day where the President meets with the faculty and staff of the College before each Semester, she pitched the idea of giving Saint Rose its own unique “hook”. She cited the “Odyssey” program used by a college out west, saying that using ingenuity and imagination helped get that college on the map and that she wanted something similar for Saint Rose. Stefanco said that she wanted a test version of whatever program is created to be in play sometime next year.
She also mentioned several ideas discussed with the staff, such as “Reach out Reach in,” a play on Reach Out Saint Rose that emphasizes our colleges community involvement and encourages self-reflection. Also mentioned was the idea of being able to take Major based classes in your first year in the same way the Business School does.
Once President Stefanco had finished presenting some ideas, she asked for input from the members of Student Association who spent over 20 minutes discussing ideas and proposing new ones. Comments on the existing ideas included comments such as making whatever program is created to be “Highly encouraged but optional” said Matthew Ramirez. Whereas some general members suggested making whatever program came about to be required of all new students.
The Student Association membership didn’t lack for ideas, as they suggested several. Ideas ranged from simply expanding the existing Pathway’s programs that already exists for Freshmen all the way to an entirely new program that would vary from Major to Major and School to School. One member even suggested moving Summer Orientation closer to the school year and expanding it.
After Stefanco finished her presentation, she thanked the group and said she would take everyone’s suggestions into consideration.
Towards the end of the meeting is when SA executive board members Justin Whittaker and Patrick Burke showed off the new potential layout for the POD/ Burger Studio. While the plan was still “pending” Whittaker said that it was likely enough to announce.
According to the layout shown off, the entire store half of the POD would be removed and turned into a meeting room that clubs could rent out complete with meeting tables and room for upwards of 30 people. When asked why the POD would be removed, Whittaker stated that the company responsible Aramark, was not making money off of the store.
The Burger Studio is also going to be rearranged to have more of a lounge feeling, like the Main Lounge in the EAC complete with couches and a television. This area would take up where the current seating for the Burger Studio and would have a movable wall separating it from the new meeting room. When members asked how long this new lounge area would be open and if it would be 24 hours Whittaker explained that due to policy reasons it couldn’t be kept open 24 hours long.
Some members even suggested changing the food due to the Camelot Room having a more diverse choice in burgers anyway. Ideas such as Frozen Yogurt and Smoothies were thrown around as possible replacements for the Burger Studio.
However, what is important to keep in mind is that none of these ideas are set in stone. President Stefanco is still looking for ideas to implement and the rearrangement of the POD/ Burger Studio are still technically in the planning stages, though Whittaker seemed to indicate that it was more likely to happen than not to happen.
