ESC is back in NYC (but still partially virtual).

Due to COVID restrictions on in person gatherings, ESC’s first general body meeting of the year was held over Zoom. However, ESC’s smaller committees will meet in person this year. The council also has ideas for exciting COVID-safe initiatives for SEAS students.

One of the meeting’s first agenda items was promoting an upcoming in person event: Meet a Fellow Engineer. It will be held on Math Lawn on September 23rd and hopefully catered by Dos Toros. Attendees will fill out a form and be paired with SEAS students who have similar interests. 

VP Student Life Matthew Wahl (‘23) introduced the Explore NYC Initiative. Hosted by ESC, this program will take students to a new NYC site every Thursday. 

Though the return to campus allows for these exciting initiatives, it also brings new challenges. Several ESC members noted students’ frustration with wait times and crowding on lines for dining halls. Academic Affairs Representative Nikhil Mehta (‘22) and Campus Affairs Representative Sergio Butron (‘23) plan to work with dining on addressing these issues. Butron also suggested that if the wait time cannot be decreased, ESC could advocate for students to be allowed to change or drop their dining plans.

Student Health and Wellness Representative Gabe Guo (‘24) noted that he has also heard reports of Dodge Fitness Center being overcrowded. Though he recognized that parts of the gym have been closed due to flooding from the recent storm, he still suggested asking for expanded hours or more equipment at Dodge.

Additionally, with classes back in person, Student Body President Kennedy Salamat (‘23) hopes to advocate for professors to continue to offer online options and other alternatives, particularly for students who are in quarantine.

Other ESC members provided updates on meetings they recently had with deans and other school officials. ESC held an information session during NSOP for first years to learn about the council, and council members also staffed a table at the activities fair. 

The council still has several open positions. Class of 2025 Council, Gender Identity & Sexuality Representative and Transfer Students Representative roles still need to be filled. 

Lerner via Bwog Archives