Caitlin Marotta Rallies Senate Participation
by Sam Albright
The Student Senate at Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) has been in the process of an almost complete overhaul over the past year. The MainSheet sat down with Student Senate President Caitlin Marotta in order to get to the bottom of who exactly is currently in the senate, what their goals are going to look like moving forward and how other students can get involved themselves. For further information, the Student Senate can be reached by phone at 774.330.4054 or e-mail at [email protected].
Q: How many representatives are currently in the senate?
A: There are now two members of the senate, including myself, however we are in the process of integrating the clubs into our student body and gaining a trustee. Ultimately, we would like to see a member from each club at the table.
Q: What is your current position and role in the senate?
A: I am the current President of the Student Senate.
Photo: Student Senate President Caitlin Marotta. Photo by: Joe Thorpe
Q: Where and when does the senate meet?
A: We have an office in student life, but as of right now the meeting dates are decided at the end of each session and held in the library boardroom. So please email us if you or anyone you know is interested in attending. The next meeting is scheduled for October 16 in Lecture Hall A. It is going to be an update and planning meeting with all the clubs.
Q: Senate Faculty Adviser Art Esposito mentioned that there was an idea floating around about virtual meetings, perhaps via Skype, could you comment on this?
A: To my knowledge we do not have that in the works yet, as we are completely focused on rebuilding and restructuring. But that would be something that we could consider going forward, once we get established.
Q: Can anyone go to these meetings or is it closed off to non-senators/staff?
A: The meetings are open to all and we encourage students to attend.
Q: Esposito also mentioned redrafting the constitution as a goal for this year, but last year it was a goal for the senate as well. What steps are being taken to complete the constitution this time around?
A: We are researching how other community colleges in Massachusetts run their student government, as well as reviewing our past constitution. We have also asked an alum of the 4Cs senate to share the history of what a functioning 4Cs senate has looked like in the past. The idea is to gather the information and see what will work best now at 4Cs.
Q: What are the other goals of the senate this year and what actions are being taken to ensure that these goals are met?
A: The main goal for the next academic year is just to implement a functioning student senate and create guiding principles that this student body is to follow. We are working very hard to make sure that the senate being built will be a fair senate and a true voice for the students.
Q: How did you get involved in the Senate and why do you think it’s important that students participate?
A: I initially got involved in senate because I was curious as to what was happening with the collapse and corruption. I ended up being the only member of senate left for a time and I realized what a unique opportunity we (the students) have. It’s an opportunity to reshape the senate to support us (the students) as well as engage the community.
Q: What is the best way to get in touch with senate representatives?
A: Sending a direct email to us is always the best way to get in contact with us.
Categories: Student Life, People