Grand Rapids Community College Student Government and Campus Activities Board met on Feb. 12 for the student leaders town hall. During the Wednesday meeting, they heard two allocations requests, totaling $10,584.18.
The first request came from the International Geographical Honors Society, Gamma Theta Epsilon, totaling $6,025.27. These funds would send two students to California to represent GRCC at the California Geographical Society conference. The total amount of the allocation request included airfare, a car rental, lodging, meals and conference registration.
“The college has received awards as being the second best geography program in the country at a community college,” Sandra Johnson, a representative for Gamma Theta Epsilon, said. “This is in part due to the students who go and represent the college at conferences.”
Johnson explained that the three main purposes of the trip are field trip participation, presenting research and networking. She believes this conference ultimately helps set students up for graduate school.
When asked how this event contributes to the overall student body, Johnson shared that every student who has attended this conference “has gone onto higher education” and “obtained master’s degrees” or “PhD’s”
“I would like you to think about it sort of as an investment in the students,” Johnson said. “… April Shirey is a good example because she returned to GRCC as an adjunct professor where now she’s reaching hundreds of students.”
This allocation was passed by a majority vote.
Following this, the International Language Club requested $4,558.91 for their annual cultural festival in April. The total cost of the event will be $5,575, with the remaining funds coming from last year’s fundraising or previous allocations, according to ILC president Kiana Vu.
Decor, banners, posters, souvenirs, catering and snacks, flowers, miscellaneous items, raffle prizes and a $150 safeguard due to fluctuating shipping costs are all included in the allocation request in addition to payment for the event photographer and performers.
Vu shared that nine countries will be repressed at the festival, which is set to be hosted outside at the Juan Olivarez Plaza.
“This festival gives students the opportunity to represent their cultural background and then share it with the rest of the campus,” Vu said.
This allocation was passed by a majority vote.
In other news, Melissa Ware, Program Director of the Center for Counseling and Well-Being, spoke during public comment about the recent addition of two new counselors to the Center for Counseling and Well-Being and their upcoming changes and events.
Beginning next week, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will start offering support groups on campus.
“It’s not like a closed therapy group,” Ware said. “A support group is open, meaning you don’t have to come every week, it’s as needed… It’s not necessary therapy, but it’s using that group dynamic and everyone sharing their experiences to help support each other”
Support groups will be open to all students on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ware stressed that no topic is off-limits during these meetings.
“Your anxiety might be telling you ‘there’s no way I’m going to a support group’ (but) this might be a really great opportunity actually to show yourself that you’re capable of doing something that your anxiety is lying to you and telling you that you shouldn’t or can’t do,” Ware said.
No prior registration is needed to participate. Students interested should go to room 368 of the student center at the designated time.
Additionally, Ware shared that the Healthy Minds Study conducted last semester had a participation rate of 7.8 percent. Data from the study, as well as changes that may come as a result of the survey, will be shared on March 11 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room 234 of the student center.
Later in the month, on March 19 the Center for Counseling and Well-Being will hold an event encouraging students to make connections in college and build deeper relationships in room 234 of the student center. More information to come.
Alyssa Gamez, Student Life Coordinator, shared that the Student Health & Wellness Fair will be taking place on Tuesday, Feb. 18 on the Lakeshore campus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and free sexually transmitted infection testing will be taking place on the main campus on Wednesday, Feb. 19 with help from the Kent County Health Department on the fourth floor of Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall.
Assistant Director of Student Life, Ashley Fox, encouraged students to fill out nominations for the upcoming student leadership awards and watch for the CAB and Student Government applications opening in March.
The next student leaders town hall will be Wednesday, March 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room 215 of RJF.
