Prior to being elected president, Jackson joined the senate at the end of his second year at GVSU and has held the chief of staff position. Vice President-elect Vanlerberghe joined as a freshman and has served as both a general senator and public relations chair. As they prepare to step into their newly elected positions, they hope the student body sees their love and commitment for the University.

“As soon as we got the email with the official election results, we called each other as fast as we could to celebrate,” Vanlerberghe said. “The feeling was indescribable, knowing that all of our hard work had paid off and that we (have) the opportunity to lead the organization we love.”

Jackson said when he first became chief of staff, his goal was to give the brand-new role a lasting impact and make Student Senate more effective, focused and better equipped to serve students.

“I saw an opportunity to bring clarity to our organization’s inner workings, streamline how we operate and create a more balanced structure,” Jackson said.

In his new role, Jackson hopes to expand the ability of students to voice campus concerns and build an inclusive culture. His goal is to create a culture where students feel inspired to play a part in the campus’ future.

“I aim to expand how we connect with students and elevate their voices in every conversation that shapes this university,” Jackson said. “That means advocating for real changes like expanding dining options, enhancing campus engagement on weekends and ensuring students feel heard and included.”

Like Jackson, Vanlerberghe hopes to usher in a smooth transition as he leaves his previous role for the new position.

“The work of the public relations chair is to ensure clear and active communication between (the) Student Senate and the student body,” Vanlerberghe said. “My goal is for no momentum to be lost in transition. I am confident moving forward that my position will be in good hands and I am concentrating on empowering their success as much as possible.” 

Vanlerberghe said building relationships with students and helping them understand campus resources has been one of his biggest personal  accomplishments thus far. He hopes to continue fostering a strong relationship between students and the senate.

“Looking ahead, I am dedicated to growing the strength and community inside of our body and fostering a culture that is eager to work for students, with students,” Vanlerberghe said. “I want (the) Student Senate to be as effective as possible, and am ready to work to do so.”

The festival at GVSU spotlighted a variety of performances, interactive activities, games and food, such as henna tattoos, Chinese zodiac readings, origami and an appearance by Grand Rapids’ Ascendant Lion Dance. Additionally, a fashion show took place, providing attendees the chance to admire custom, traditional designs from multiple cultures. ASU members have expressed the festival and similar events are essential in celebrating their heritage and cultural traditions.

Faculty, staff, students and community members at GVSU enjoyed the evening of festivities. Anna Miller, the faculty advisor of ASU and assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said she was happy to see the celebration and students’ efforts be successful.

“I know how much hard work goes into events like these and I am so proud to see the culmination of the executive boards’ efforts pay off,” said Miller.

Miller feels students, their families and friends enjoyed the celebration and that the festival’s environment was upbeat as well as comfortable. She emphasized the audience was diverse in cultures, backgrounds and brought in attendees from all generations.

“This year, there was a lot of diversity in the cultures represented and I am very glad to see that lesser publicized ethnic groups could be represented,” Miller said. “I think the best part of this festival is how unintimidating it is (for) anyone to attend and learn more about Asian culture. All of the performances were energetic, lively and vibrant.”

Elise Tchieng, the lead co-cultural coordinator for ASU, said the Asian New Year Festival holds great significance for the organization.

“It provides an opportunity to share and celebrate our diverse cultures,” Tchieng said via email. “By bringing people together, the festival promotes diversity, inclusion and cultural appreciation within the GVSU community.

Across the state, Michigan State University DEI Director Lauren Gaines sent an email to the school’s community Tuesday, Jan. 28 announcing the cancellation of their Lunar New Year celebration the day before it was set to take place.

“This decision comes in response to concerns shared by members of our community regarding the current issuance of Executive Orders related to immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion,” Gaines wrote. “These actions have prompted feelings of uncertainty and hesitation about gathering for events that highlight cultural traditions and communities.”

A few hours later, MSU Dean Heidi Hennink-Kaminski sent an email asking students not to view the decision as a “statement of policy,” but rather a response to input from concerned students. However, the event was later rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11. According to university officials, MSU doesn’t intend to cancel future cultural events. 

Despite contentious circumstances at MSU, students and community members at GVSU delighted in the Asian New Year Festival, embracing various cultural traditions and activities.

The student ID bill was sponsored by the Senate’s Chief of Staff, Evan Jackson. According to the bill, students could theoretically display their student ID on mobile devices through near-field communication by adding their ID to their digital wallet. Passed in a unanimous 32-0 vote, the Student Senate is urging the University to look into the cost, security measures, technology partnerships and other needs to make digitization possible.

Similarly, many students at GVSU have shifted to the use of mobile payments and digital wallets for everyday use rather than using physical credit cards. This habit, in conjunction with students’ integration of technology in other daily tasks, led Student Senate to pursue a more contemporary use of IDs on campus.

“Digitizing student IDs will improve convenience, accessibility and sustainability on campus,” Jackson said. “Students already use their phones for most daily tasks and transactions, and carrying a physical ID can be an extra hassle, especially when lost or forgotten.” 

Jackson said the new ID system could be as simple as allowing students to use the digital ID in campus dining halls, convenience stores, the Recreation Center and other events that require student identification. The senate hypothesizes the digital approach could even be adapted to use in on-campus housing, as well as on the Laker Line bus system.

“The bill came about after conversations with fellow students, meetings with key stakeholders like the IT Department and research into other universities implementing digital student IDs,” said Jackson.

When the bill was put up to vote in the senate’s General Assembly, many senators recognized the impact and practicality digitization offers to campus life. 

“The lives of students are busy, and any way that campus can be made more convenient is something worth investing in,” said Student Senate Public Relations Chair Ty Vanlerberghe. “Evan’s bill takes an innovative approach to providing convenience by encouraging the addition of student IDs to smart wallets. Students can have one less thing to juggle when attending (sporting) events, utilizing campus recreation and accessing campus dining,”

Senator Sophie Gemmen helped to develop the senate’s press release for the bill. Gemmen said she is eager to see how the project progresses in the near future.

“I voted in favor of the bill because I believe digitizing student IDs is a fantastic initiative that I know would make my life much easier,” Gemmen said. “I am grateful for all of Evan’s work on this bill, especially when considering the number of stakeholders involved in following through with a project as intricate as this one.”

Gemmen is not alone in her excitement about the prospect. Vanlerberghe said the student body’s reaction to the legislation has been mostly positive. 

“Many of my peers have reached out to me and other members of our body (the senate) to express both their gratitude for the bill, and their eagerness to see this change come to campus,” Vanlerberghe said. “I think that serves as a testament to the importance of this idea, and how it is truly centered around a topic that touches students.” 

Jackson confirmed that despite the excitement, University faculty and staff still have things to consider before the bill can officially be put into action and students are able to add their ID to their digital wallets.

“Since the bill just passed, the next step is for administration to assess the feasibility of implementing digital IDs, including technical requirements and cost considerations,” Jackson said. “While there is no set timeline, students can expect updates from Student Senate as the University begins reviewing the logistics and potential rollout phases.”

The State of the Student Senate address was held at the University’s Cook-DeWitt Center. The address highlighted various updates from each of the Senate’s five committees, along with updates from the Senate president and vice president. In addition to discussing each committee’s policies, reestablishing faculty-student relationships and solidifying responsibilities of the new “chief of staff” position were central focuses.

Senate President Quinten Proctor opened the address by providing updates on his recent work, which included reestablishing relationships between faculty and students. To do so, Proctor has worked closely with the University Academic Senate (UAS).

“Generally, faculty care a lot about the student experience and want to ensure students are successful, so student and faculty interests are aligned in many ways,” Proctor said. “I’ve worked very closely with Courtney Karasinski, the chair of (UAS), which has helped us both have a greater understanding of student and faculty perspectives on issues.”

In March, Proctor said he plans to introduce a new bill to the Senate focusing on learning disabilities, alongside Senator Brin DeVries.

“(The bill) will for sure be asking Inclusion and Equity and the (Pew) Faculty Teaching and Learning Center to create module(s) highlighting disabilities, and also (how) communication challenges can impact students’ experience and ability to engage in class,” Proctor said. “This would be a resource available to faculty seeking to better support students, and this bill will encourage faculty to use (the) module.”

The bill proposal may also call to shift a portion of mandatory staff “core competency” training to focus on inclusivity, though Proctor said the bill is still in the developmental stage.

Chief of Staff

Following Proctor’s speech, Senate Chief of Staff Evan Jackson was introduced. His position is a brand new role to Student Senate, and was established in the organization’s restructuring last year. Jackson said building the position from the ground up has been “both rewarding and challenging.”

“Since this was the first time Grand Valley’s Student Senate had a Chief of Staff, I had the unique opportunity to define what the role should be,” Jackson said. “My focus has been on three key pillars: efficiency, accountability and communication. That meant ensuring committees and executive leadership were aligned, holding senators accountable to their commitments and creating stronger communication between (the) Senate and the student body.”

Jackson said he has worked to simplify the Senate structure to make it easier for the general public to understand his position. He has also assisted senators with 193 events, and

addressed results from a mid-semester survey, which highlighted successes made by the Senate. Survey findings show that 97% of senators felt engaged during General Assembly meetings, and spotlighted a rise in organizational diversity.

Advocacy & Policy

The chair of the Senate’s Advocacy Committee, Genna Wright, shared information about multiple events that the Advocacy Committee recently helped make possible. These events include teach-ins, service opportunities honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and spreading awareness about breast cancer in October.

Wright teased the introduction of a new event in the works titled “Multicultural Night.” The event will be held on Thursday, March 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Kirkhof’s Grand River Room. The event’s focus is to highlight the diverse culture found throughout the University’s campuses.

Policy Chair Alec Palumbo shared that the Policy Committee has been working to build relationships with on-campus services, such as Housing and Residence Life, Parking Services, the Office of Sustainability Practices and the University Libraries. He also shared further information about a holiday bill for international students that was passed in January by the Senate.

Other legislative updates included the introduction of a new bill to provide Narcan, menstrual products and other health-related resources to students in an accessible manner. Vice President Paris Lawson further addressed the initiative in her closing remarks.

Allocation Address

Allocations Committee Chair Nancy Boyd said the committee was able to utilize a $100,000 fund from the Office of Student Life to help 50 different student organizations.

“Student Senate is honored to support student organizations (that) have members dedicated to engaging the campus community,” Boyd said. “Allocating $100,000 to diligent and enthusiastic student organizations has been an absolute honor. They (student organizations) are the backbone of this campus.”

For any allocation of funds to be given, a registered student organization can request funding on LakerLink, which will then be reviewed by the Senate’s Allocations Committee. Following this, requests can be denied, approved or adjusted.

The committee was also able to use a portion of the reserve fund to renovate the Russel H. Kirkhof Center by upgrading audiovisual systems in several rooms of the building. The $200,000 allocation to upgrade these systems improves convenience for faculty and students. Of the 12 rooms in Kirkhof that have or are in the process of being renovated, three have received equipment to become “Zoom rooms.”

“This allocation upgrades incredibly outdated technology (in Kirkhof), and allows these rooms to accommodate events and clubs that require such technology,” Boyd said.

Public Relations Address

The Public Relations Committee’s main focus has been improving its social media engagement and collaborations with other on-campus services.

Ty Vanlerberghe, public relations chair, shared that there has been a 250% increase in the Senate’s Instagram engagement.

“Aside from collaboration, this year, I am especially proud of our expanded social media presence with an increased professionalism across our accounts,” Vanlerberghe said.

Health Vending Bill

Lawson closed out the address talking about the focus of her work in the Senate. Lawson shared that she has facilitated the Senate’s legislative process, worked on dashboard documents and recently passed a bill to add health vending machines to areas of the University’s Allendale, Pew and Health Campuses.

The machines will provide free Narcan, emergency contraception, condoms, over-the-counter medication, menstrual products and pregnancy tests.

The bill is a great pride of many senators, and Proctor said he is very proud of the Senate’s work.

“The Vice President, Paris Lawson, spent a lot of time and effort to write this bill and garner support from stakeholders across campus,” Proctor said. “I also think this bill will be impactful to students.”

Overall, Senate Events Chair Karen Theakston feels one of the most promising developments of late has been the building of unity between senators.

“I’m deeply proud of how our Student Senate has significantly ramped up its involvement in various events and activities, particularly in (its) volunteering efforts,” Theakston said. “We’ve seen a noticeable increase in collaboration among senators, (which has) fostered a sense of unity and teamwork that has been truly heartwarming.”

Trump’s push to freeze aid would mean that any program federally funded, excluding health insurance, social security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, would not receive funding. Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the government’s Office of Management and Budget, wrote in an official memo, “The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equality, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a water of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve” 

Despite the freeze being paused, Grand Valley State University did not waste any time ensuring students that, at the time, they would be unaffected by Trump’s action. An email, which was signed by the University’s Vice President of the Division of Enrollment Development & Educational Outreach, B. Donta Truss, stated GVSU was carefully monitoring actions from federal officials. The email also confirmed that Pell Grants and other federal student aid loans would not be impacted by any administrative order or memo.

Chris Knape, the assistant vice president of University Communications also explained that as time goes on, the University will continue to keep the campus community informed.

Although the funding freeze would not have impacted students’ aid, many GVSU community members are concerned about possible changes to financial aid that could take place in the future.

“My heart dropped when I saw the news about the freeze,” said GVSU student Lily Schinbeckler.“If the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is taken away, I will not be able to finish my degree. That (not getting a degree) would leave me much less well off than if I were to get a proper education, which is a poverty sentence in this economy. I feel uncertain about the future.”

Some GVSU students were not surprised by the Trump administration’s initial action to freeze federal funding.

 “When I first saw the news, I was kind of shocked, but not surprised, considering Trump was hinting for a while (at) stopping social welfare programs,” said GVSU student Matteo Lambardi di San Miniato. “It definitely makes me more anxious though for the future, as I am very lucky in the sense that (I have) a family who currently pays only around $1,000 or $2,000 per year because of (a) very generous grant offer.”

According to Inside Higher Ed, the Trump administration is also already preparing its next executive order, which will begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education (DOE). However, many are speculating the administration is waiting on Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee to lead DOE, to be confirmed before moving forward.

If DOE were to be abolished, there would be many changes to how schools are currently funded. According to Michelle Miller-Adams, a former professor at GVSU and political science professor emeritus, DOE is home to three very important programs; the first of which administers Title I funds, which go to schools that serve larger proportions of low-income students.

“It (DOE also) enforces and partially funds special education services for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975,” Miller-Adams said. “Most relevant for college students, it (DOE) administers the federal student aid system, including Pell Grants and federally subsidized loans.”

Miller-Adams explained that many areas of funding could be transferred over to a different governmental area, but given the Trump administration’s agenda, students will likely see a budget reduction for programs within DOE.

“The U.S. Department of Education is an important provider of education-related data, which is used by researchers and policymakers,” Miller-Adams said. “It’s unclear if data repositories, such as the National Center for Education Statistics, would survive a shutdown of the department. The department is also the chief monitor and enforcer of students’ civil rights, a function that would almost certainly be lost with its closure.”

The bill was proposed by former Senator Immaculata James, who graduated in December 2024. James was appointed to the international student seat, a newly minted position, following the Senate’s restructuring in 2024.

“Senator James was already incredibly passionate about helping the international student community in any way she could,” said Senate Chair of Policy Alec Palumbo.

There are 600 international students at GVSU. Palumbo said the bill will further welcome students to campus, no matter where they come from, and provide a safe space to connect with others.

“Supporting international students is one of the most important ways to establish a rich culture of inclusion, in which we all feel the benefits,” Palumbo said. 

James was inspired by a previous University program that used to focus on hosting gatherings for those who remained on campus. In past years, the program provided a space for international students to connect with one another when many students went home. Over the Fall 2024 semester, James communicated with other Michigan universities that have similar programs in order to compile the bill. From introduction to editing, James’ bill went through the regular policymaking process.

“One week is used to introduce the bill, answer questions and consider constructive criticism from our members,” Palumbo said. “The next week, the Student Senate body is allowed to vote on the bill. After (that’s) done, the bill is directly charged to the University Academic Senate, which is responsible for considering ways to implement bills across campus.”

Siddhartha Poudel, a senior international student from Nepal, noted the bill means a lot to him.

“It signifies that the University is finally taking action to support international students who can’t go home for American holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Poudel. “Many international students face difficulties during the holidays, as they are the only ones that stay on campus.”

Poudel remembers spending Christmas 2023 on campus with two international friends. They made the most of their time by cooking meals that reminded them of home, and spending time together. However, with most students not at the University, Poudel said their group felt isolated.

“With no family nearby and no one else on campus, we felt isolated and vulnerable,” Poudel said. “Being so far from home heightened our feelings of homesickness, especially when we saw pictures of our American friends with their families, reminding us of what we were missing.”

Poudel is hopeful the bill will provide international students with on-campus programming over academic breaks.

“As someone who has been actively involved in the international community at Grand Valley, I feel incredibly happy and proud that Student Senate is, once again, advocating for us and striving to make the lives of international students better than before.”

Due to large crowds expected at both of Trump’s rallies, police, fire and other public safety officials were asked to be on duty, and ensure that rally attendees, Trump’s team and citizens who live near Van Andel remained safe. According to invoices, Trump’s first rally on July 20, 2024 cost the city $32,771.45, with $13,021.24 being charged for public work and certain areas of overtime and $18,500.21 being a labor charge, which includes overtime pay for public safety, such as police and fire presence. The Nov. 4, 2024 rally cost $16,340.54, with $2,175 being charged for traffic safety and $14,065.54 for public work, including overtime and equipment. The two rally stops brought the Trump campaign’s unpaid bill to $49,111.99. 

David Green, the City of Grand Rapids’ director of communications, released a statement to multiple media outlets, noting, “Following conversations with the United States Secret Service, the City of Grand Rapids is unable to collect on the invoices for the recent Trump campaign visits.”

If the City writes off the expenses, Grand Rapids will be losing nearly $50,000, and will have to recoup that money in other ways.

“They (the Trump campaign) could easily be sued for the money,” said Whitt Kilburn, a political science professor at Grand Valley State University. “Usually, for any elected official, there would be a big reputational cost for leaving bills unpaid.”

According to Brandon DeHaan, the Grand Valley Police Department (GVPD) director of public safety and chief of police, the Grand Rapids Police Department asked local police partners for available assistance in working the rallies.

One officer, who was recommended to remain anonymous due to GVPD safety restrictions, worked both rallies. The officer helped with traffic control, and was paid overtime for his work by the City of Grand Rapids. Such labor is an example of the accumulated debt.

In addition to stops made by the Trump campaign, current Vice President Kamala Harris held a Grand Rapids rally at Riverside Park, about 10 minutes north of Van Andel Arena. The Oct. 18 event cost the city $2,800, with $1,500 going toward renting the park, according to the invoice. Harris’ rally was paid off in full by her team.

“The Trump campaign utilized a venue in a downtown district, requiring more road closures and associated safety measures (and) driving costs,” said the City of Grand Rapids’ Media Relations Manager, Steven Guitar. “The Harris campaign utilized a park with ample green space, requiring limited road closures and associated safety measures.”

With Michigan’s status as a battleground state in mind, the City of Grand Rapids has already begun planning new ways to ensure they do not lose money in the future. The statement made by the City also reads, “Given the unique nature of political campaigns and enhanced public safety requirements for individuals requiring Secret Service protection, the City is currently reviewing and developing specific policies and processes for future campaign visits based on what it’s (the City) learned.” 

Stuck in her bathroom, Lumley said she underwent intense discomfort and anxiety from the workers entering her space. The incident sparks questions regarding both safety procedures and the privacy of on-campus living centers.

Over break, GVSU students were given the option to stay in their on-campus residence. Lumley chose to stay in her dorm, located on the Pew Campus. She went through the typical process to obtain winter break accommodations, including submitting a digital contract and signature on her Banner housing portal.

The University informed students staying on campus that maintenance employees would be working on fire alarms in dorms, and Lumley was given a five day window to expect the repair. Multiple maintenance workers, escorted by a resident assistant (RA), first arrived to Lumley’s unit on Dec. 17. The group knocked loudly multiple times and announced themselves before entering Lumley’s room, following common procedure.

When the group returned the following day to continue repairs, Lumley, about to shower, claims they didn’t announce their presence.

“The men didn’t announce who they were, and only knocked once before entering my dorm,” Lumley said. “It was just a really, really weird situation (that) shouldn’t happen to anyone.”

Startled, Lumley alerted the workers to her presence. From the bathroom, she yelled, “Hey, I’m in here.” The three maintenance workers then acknowledged who they were, and explained what they were doing. After the men apologized to Lumley, she was under the impression they were going to return, allowing her the privacy to get dressed. However, that was not the case.

“One man started yelling through the door, ‘It’s gonna be loud in here for a few minutes, if you’ll just close the door,’” Lumley said. “Then, I was even more confused because I thought they would have given me the privacy to not be naked on the other side of (the) door while there (were) three men standing inside my dorm.”

The fire alarm began going off as the men continued to work. Throughout the encounter, Lumley said she was confused and fearful. She recorded the situation, which was shared on her TikTok account, and has since received over a thousand views. In the video, viewers can hear the maintenance workers talking to Lumley moments before the fire alarm was triggered. Many students commented on the post, sharing similar instances that have happened at GVSU, and their frustration that nothing had been done about it.

“Housing (staff) know when residents will be on campus based on responses received from the email sent before break, which (asks) residents to indicate if they will be on campus,” said Adam Tate, the facilities manager for Housing and Residence Life. “This list of residents is also provided to Grand Valley’s Police Department (GVPD) and Facilities for their usage.”

This reporting process is designed to ensure the safety of students staying on campus, and to help staff know which rooms have active residents. When students stay on campus over break, Housing provides signs that read, “STOP, This unit is occupied.” Signs are taped to the doors of applicable units.

“Multiple GVSU representatives have reached out to the resident (Lumley) to apologize,” Tate said. ”We hope to collaborate with the resident to learn more about this incident, and find ways to prevent this from happening in the future.”

However, it appears representatives only reached out to Lumley following the publication of an article by local news organization WZZM 13 on her experience. A formal apology has also since been issued to Lumley by the University.

GVSU Housing staff have coordinated a meeting with Lumley in an effort to find safer ways of maintenance working on rooms. Lumley said one of her suggestions will be adding chain locks to students’ doors. To push for change, Lumley plans to talk about what went wrong in, not only her situation, but others’ similar experiences.

“43% of campus crimes are sexual assault,” Lumley said. “25% of female college students will report sexual assault, and those are just the ones brave enough to speak up. It was a very eye-opening situation that it was so easy for someone to enter my dorm, and make me feel like I was overreacting (about) them invading my privacy while I was showering. It shouldn’t be that way.”