Special Business
Tuesday, April 8, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science Suzanne Raitt spoke with the Student Assembly Senate regarding her role as dean, updates to the Arts and Sciences, the hiring slowdown and transitioning the School of Arts and Sciences into the College of Arts and Sciences.
“The advantage of calling us a college is that instead of sounding like some random collection of people, we actually have a mission,” Raitt said.
Raitt further explained the advantage of calling Arts and Sciences a college beyond giving the school an official mission is that it distinguishes itself as the largest school in the College of William and Mary, with over 40 departments and interdisciplinary programs.
“The reason that this is going to be good for all of you is that we’re going to be able to leverage that strategic positioning to raise money to get you better facilities and classrooms,” Raitt said. “It cements our role as the origin of the university and the continuing heart of it.”
Raitt also discussed the status of hiring in the Arts and Sciences, amidst the ongoing hiring slowdown at the College.
“We, in Arts and Sciences, have already completed almost all of our faculty hiring,” Raitt said. “We are hiring 54 new full-time faculty next year. Because what we want to do is claw our way back up to where we were before COVID; we had a hiring freeze during COVID for three years.”
SA President Terra Sloane ’25 vetoed the Let My Senators Go (Abroad) Act, citing concerns with the lack of full-body voting on the constitutional amendment. The bill was first passed Tuesday, April 1. Only 15 voted in support out of the 27 senate members, a low number for votes on constitutional amendments.
“If you truly want to support the bill, it would be a good signal to us that we have full support for the initiative rather than the number that we saw on Tuesday,” Sloane said.
The veto was not overturned by the Senate, officially rejecting the bill from Senate approval.
New Business
Sen. Yasmin Kudrati-Plummer ’28, Class President Zoe Wang ’26, Sen. Sophie Kennedy ’27, Sen. Laayba Tanoli ’25, Sen. Nina Argel ’28, Class President Devaughn Henry ’28 and Sen. Peerawut Ruangsawasdi ’26 introduced the Student Assembly Against Sexual Violence Resolution.
If passed, this bill would restructure current prevention programming in fall and spring orientation. The bill would also call for existing organizations on campus, like the Title IX office and the Coordinating Committee for Prevention of Sexual Assault and Harrassment, to restructure resources to be more accessible to students.
“I think the importance of the resolution is to put forward Student Assembly’s stance on this issue and how it affects our campus,” Sloane said. “And to leave an actionable plan of the steps that we can take as a body to ensure that that is an ongoing fight that is led by student advocates and student leaders within our body and outside of our body as well.”
The bill was moved to Old Business, where it was voted on and passed by the chamber.
Ruangsawasdi also introduced the Sharing is Caring Act. If passed, this bill would require SA liaisons to submit at least one report about their work during a session.
Old Business
The chamber passed the You Belong Resolution, urging the Board of Visitors to continue supporting and preserving offices, departments and faculty-led initiatives that center on inclusion and belonging.
The Resolution charges the sponsors of the bill to ensure that it is presented to the Board of Visitors and other executive offices.
The bill comes amidst a crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion at other universities nationwide and statewide. The offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have been closed at the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Although diversity programs have been sustained by the College, the Board of Visitors of the College meetings in late April could change that direction.
“It puts on record the student body that people believe very passionately,” Sen. Matt Swenson ’26, who co-sponsored the bill, said. “And this resolution is also careful not to antagonize the Board of Visitors, which could be counterproductive.”
The Chamber also passed the Joyful Arts and Music Act, which establishes an event of the same name. The event, held April 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Muscarelle Museum of Art, will feature student a cappella groups and art vendors, as well as, offer free cookies, cotton candy and popcorn.
Executive Updates
Sloane highlighted the upcoming events in April, such as events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, including a Title IX town hall Wednesday, April 23. Sloane also highlighted the Year of the Environment forum Thursday, April 17, and the Earth Day Bash, Royal Ball and Pride Fest, all Friday, April 25.
Sloane and SA Vice President Oscar Lazo ’25 offered outgoing statements at their last meeting of the 332nd session.
“Negotiate, talk to the administration, make your voice known,” Lazo said. “There is a way to make demands of the resolution while retaining their trust, there’s always a way.”
