SGA prepares for end of the semester

Written By Alexis Bonifate, SGA Beat Writer

This week’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting saw plans being outlined for the next academic year. 

Treasurer Kasey Newman informed the legislative body of her attempts to change some aspects of the upcoming commencement ceremonies.

On March 19, the campus community received an email outlining how the ceremonies would be conducted this year. All bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree recipients will have the opportunity to walk across the PNC Theatre stage at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in order to receive their diplomas. Graduates from the Class of 2021 and 2020 will be able to take part in the ceremony at their own discretion. 

The ceremonies will be recorded by the University and released on May 15 as no guests will be allowed inside of the Pittsburgh Playhouse due to pandemic guidelines. 

“I had sent a nicely worded email to some admin asking why it could not be live-streamed, and I didn’t get much of an email back,” Newman said. “I’m a senior, and I would like my family to watch me walk across the stage live streamed.”

In the reports of the Senate, Senator Francesca Bracey reported on a survey she has been working on concerning dining services on campus. 

Bracey sent a survey to all students about receiving feedback on the hours of the Point Café. Currently, the Point Café is not open to students on the weekend citing a lack of interest. 

“I’m going to get all of the important responses and put that in a spreadsheet to send to Dean Paylo and the head of Culinart,” Bracey said.

Vice President Bryce Hayzlett made a recommendation to hold onto the information gathered from this survey to expand upon next semester.

“Hopefully if we don’t get answers now, we can get them then,” Hayzlett said.

The election results from the recent SGA election are still in the process of being tabulated and will be released at a later date. This week’s meeting wrapped up after about 11 minutes, as many SGA representatives were present at the virtual town hall for the Conservatory of the Performing Arts (COPA).