Bucknell Student Government reconvened last Sunday for their weekly Congress session where they both discussed and learned about increasingly important topics regarding the Bucknell student population.

Before the meeting came to order, some Bucknell Diversity & Inclusion staff members conducted a short seminar on culture, power and justice. The seminar was intended to lay a foundation and contextualize tough conversations regarding discrimination on campus and to foster a conversation on how BSG members can alleviate that struggle as student leaders. 

“BSG does a lot of work regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we are looking forward to working with you to build on that,” said Denelle Brown, Associate Dean of Students, Diversity and Inclusion, one of the guest speakers. 

Throughout the hour, BSG members engaged in an open and honest discussion about how initiatives to increase diversity, equity and inclusion for underrepresented and marginalized groups are currently implemented. This was to hopefully inspire the new and returning senators and representatives to come up with future resolutions addressing these pressing problems. 

After the Congress participated in meaningful conversations regarding how to increase representation, safety and community on campus, they parlayed their talk to discuss how to properly have those deep conversations. 

“These conversations are necessary to have on a college campus because they are central to why we are all here,” said Marcus Scales, Director of Multicultural Services, another guest speaker. 

The Congress broke out into groups based on class and conversed about the “isms” that haunt campus culture, such as racism, sexism, ableism and classism. When they reconvened, they each shared ways they engaged in those deep conversations with their peers and why it is critically important to continue talking about those things as BSG members. 

The guest speakers ended by encouraging Congress members to work together as a body to increase awareness and initiatives of DEI and to keep having deep conversations to hopefully end the various forms of identity-based discrimination that occur at Bucknell. 

After an hour of the seminar, the meeting came to order. The regular call to order, taking of attendance, approval of the previous minutes, public comments and reviewing of office hours were done. 

After the introductory material, the Congress conducted new business with two new resolutions. The first was a resolution approving money for the annual “Munchkins and Pumpkins” event at the Lewisburg Children’s Museum later this month. It was put forth by the Community Committee to bring Halloween spirit to Lewisburg children. The event will feature fun Halloween activities accompanied with spooky costumes. 

The second resolution was to fund new BSG apparel; it was brought up by the PR Board.

Both resolutions were passed unanimously with very few amendments. 

To end the session, committee chairs gave their weekly updates, with many planning upcoming events and scheduling meetings.

The Congress ended with their weekly fun “Caught in the Act.” The next session will occur on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at 4 p.m.