This past Sunday, Bucknell Student Government President Sam Douds ’25 welcomed the Congress back for their first 2023-24 weekly session where they greeted new and returning members and laid out the goals and procedures for the upcoming year. Before the meeting came to order, the Treasurers of each class introduced themselves, the Vice President called the roll call and everyone participated in an icebreaker. 

When the meeting came to order, Douds explained the voting procedure as well as the rules with public comments, office hours and guest speakers.

After that, the executive members took some time to share some information about themselves. Douds then shared the “strict” attendance policy and “relaxed” dress code for the year. He also explained his goals and big picture initiatives that have been planned for this year. This included how he met with President Bravman to ask for an opportunity for the BSG to have an audience with the Board of Trustees. 

“We can happily report that we are now scheduled to speak at their fall meeting,” said Douds. “We are preparing for that and very happy about that.”

Douds concluded his speech with some forums for the members of BSG to attend such as DEI training, meeting Public Safety officers and a mandatory seminar on cultural humility.

After that, Isa Segura-Suarez ’25, the Executive Vice President of Operations, spoke about her roles before presenting and assigning committee positions for the year for Senators and Representatives. Christine Ajao ’25, the Vice President of Administration, and Gerty Hisler ’24, the Chief Financial Officer, explained their backgrounds and gave updates.

Douds then explained the process of how members of Congress submit resolutions and went over the schedule of the year: Congress meets Sundays at 4 p.m. in ELC 272. 

After the explanations of procedure, the Congress voted on their Committee Chairs by vouching for their fellow candidates. The results are as follows:

Academic Committee Chair: Molly Woods ’26, Advocacy Committee Chair: Joyce Chen ’24, Community Committee Chair: Maddie MacKay ’25, Diversity Committee Chair: Michelle Vovsha ’24, Finance Committee Chair: Hisler, PR Board Chair: Ajao and Sustainability Committee Chair: TK Bango ’26.

In addition to selecting Committee Chairs, the Presidents from each class, Hillary De La Cruz ’27, Eliza Morris ’26, Gabby Segura-Suarez ’25 and Walid Abdallah ’24, all shared updates and upcoming events. 

Douds concluded with explaining the nature of external committees and the specifics of some as well as the goals they have for the upcoming year, including a resolution to help students relieve the burden of academic stress during breaks.

Per usual, Douds ended the meeting with the weekly look at Campus Pulse and the much enjoyed “Caught in the Act.” 

The next BSG meeting will take place Sunday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m.