Student Senate met Wednesday to discuss new mental health services available for students and a campaign for students for promoting civility.
Megan Gordin, a senior studying journalism and the data analyst for “Cultivating Change: Planting the Seeds of Civility,“ said its mission is to equip pre-professionals with tools to combat instability in the classroom and workplace.
Gordin said through research, they found that 56% of survey respondents have experienced uncivil behaviors in the workplace or classroom and only 12% said their classes prepared them to act with civility in the future.
David Lairmore, a psychologist with Counseling and Psychological Services, discussed a new 24/7 service called “Together All.”
Together All allows peers to anonymously interact and encourage one another to take advantage of mental health resources.
Mayor Steve Patterson gave the 2021 state of the city address where he spoke about the successes and challenges of various city projects over the past year.
“We were able to implement a city code that allows for parklets,” Patterson said. “(It) allows for expanded dining out into parking spaces along Court Street or in the Uptown area … We have codified this now into city code. This will be something permanent beyond COVID-19.”
Additionally, Patterson said the city is working with Third Sun Solar to develop a solar array on the east side. He said this is in an effort to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
Patterson also discussed city development plans for 2021, including updated roads and sidewalks on Stimson Avenue.
Maxeen Ramlo, governmental affairs commissioner, asked Patterson about COVID-19 precautions he would like to see students taking.
“When there are queuing lines outside of some of the establishments Uptown, just be cognizant of spreading yourselves out,” Patterson said. “We still have a state mandate to social distance.”
