In the months of September and October, the Student Assembly Senate of the College of William and Mary passed 14 acts, spending $50,130. The newly elected Class of 2027 members also joined the chamber, following their election in September.
Bills passed
Sept. 12
The Senate moved The COVID Emergency Response Act and The Subsidizing Sexual Health Resources Act Pt. 2 straight into old business. Both bills passed unanimously.
The COVID Emergency Response Act, sponsored by Sen. Spencer Krivo ’26, Class President Mia Tilman ’24, Sen. Hazel Vineet ’25, Sen. Soleil Garnett ’24 and Sen. Matthew Hwang ’25, allocated $1,500 to purchase 288 COVID tests. Students can now obtain the tests from the Earl Gregg Swem Library circulation desk.
The Subsidizing Sexual Health Resources Act Pt. 2, sponsored by Tilman, allocated $350 for 70 pregnancy tests and $4,500 to subsidize the costs of 300 emergency contraception doses. Students can access both at the Student Health Center.
The Senate also unanimously passed The Pronoun Pin Part 3 Act, sponsored by Tilman, Sen. Daniel A. Bess ’24, and co-sponsored by Sen. Sophia L. Tammera ’24, Garnett and Chair of the Senate Sen. Justin Bailey ’24. The bill allocated $200 for pronoun pins.
Sept. 19
The Senate passed The Distribution of University-Branded Complimentary Keypers II Act (DUCK II), sponsored by Sen. Sean Nguyen ’25. The bill allocates $7,600 to fund keypers and informational slips.
The chamber also passed The Sexual Violence Tertiary Prevention Act, approving $400 for promotional materials for the Callisto project, which aims to connect victims of sexual assault. Sen. Ashlynn Parker ’26 and Class President Zoe Wang ’26 sponsored the bill.
Sept. 26
The Senate passed The T-Shirt Purchasing Act Part II, sponsored by Krivo and Sen. Jiexi Lin ’26, allocating $3,650 to purchase 280 Homecoming shirts for $12.90/shirt to be sold for $20/shirt.
Also passed unanimously, The Flu-B-Gone Act allocated $100 for the printing of colored flyers to advertise the Student Health Center’s availability of free flu shots for students who have United Healthcare Student Resources insurance and the flu shot clinics for students without UHCSR insurance. The bill was sponsored by Hwang, Sen. Hashir Aqeel ’25, Class President Yannie Chang ’25 and Vineet.
Oct. 10
The Senate unanimously passed The Let’s Vote Act, sponsored by Krivo, Sen. Matt Swenson ’26 and Vineet. The bill allocated $580 for promotional materials on how to vote in the November 2023 Virginia state elections.
The Senate also passed Nguyen’s The Light Intervention and Therapy Enhancement (L.I.T.E) Act, which allocated $2,000 for the purchase of Aurora LightPad Minis and their respective carry bags.
“WHEREAS, historical data underscores a recurring pattern, spotlighting the heightened demand for such devices during January, February, late November, and December, making it imperative to integrate these devices before peak periods,” the bill, sponsored by Nguyen, reads.
The bill also charged the SA Health Department with running an educational and promotional campaign concentrating on the challenges of Seasonal Affective Disorder and seasonal depression, and the Benefits and availability of the Aurora LightPad Mini.
The legislation received two ‘No’ votes from Tammera and Class of 2027 President Nico Giro-Martin ’27. Additionally, Garnett, Sen. Tyson Liverman ’27, Sen. Marshae Robinson MBA and Sen. Chelsea (CJ) Roberts MA.Ed. abstained. Every other senator voted ‘Yes’, except Lin, Sen. Jason Zhou ’27 and Sen. Shalini Kumar MBA. Lin and Kumar were not in attendance, while Zhou was not in the room during the time of voting.
The Senate unanimously passed The Fall Frenzy Carving Event Act, sponsored by Tammera, Wang, Swenson, Parker, Lin and Krivo. The bill allocated $2,600 for various food, beverages and equipment items for the Fall Frenzy Campus Carving Event. It took place on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Crim Dell Meadows.
Oct. 24
The Senate unanimously passed The Second Annual Green and Gold Bash, sponsored by Bailey. It allocated $28,000 in funding to support the Charter Day Green and Gold Bash. The money will be put towards catering and entertainment expenses.
“WHEREAS, In the 331st year of William and Mary, we are celebrating the year of the arts. William & Mary celebrates 2023-24 as the Year of the Arts. With programming anchored by the opening of the new Arts Quarter in fall 2023 and major events at Homecoming, the Year of the Arts will amplify the crucial importance of arts education in the 21st century and highlight the vital role that the arts play in all facets of W&M’s educational experience,” the bill, sponsored by Bailey, reads.
The chamber also passed The Sustainability Fair Act, sponsored by Chang, Hwang and Vineet. It allocated $2,605 for flyers, food and equipment expenses for the Sustainability Fair. The event took place on Friday, Nov. 3, at the Crim Dell Meadows.
Oct. 31
Finally, the Senate passed The Free Tea Act, sponsored by Parker. The bill allocated $825 for tea bags, a water pot, a trash can, paper cups and honey. The items will be stored and managed by the McLeod Tyler Wellness Center.
“WHEREAS, tea offers a multitude of health benefits and cultural significance. Rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins and polyphenols, tea improves health, obtains a moderate caffeine content that enhances mental alertness, contains amino acids like L-theanine, promoting relaxation and reducing stress, improves digestion, strengthens the immune system, and betters hydration,” the bill reads.
