Call to order
Agenda of the Senate
Hofstra University Student Government Association (05, 02, 2026)
Hofstra University
Meeting Called to order at 7:02 pm EST
A. Quorum Call
a. Quorum set to 26
B. New Business
a. Chair Ahmad moves to open the gallery
i. Motion Seconded
ii. Motion Passed
b. Welcome, Steve Richman, the Associate Vice President for Student Health, Wellbeing & Campus Support Services.
i. Steve Richman: I am a long-time Hofstra person. I went to undergrad and law school. I came back to work at the law school. I worked in the international service office and INTU Hofstra. I left to pursue other positions but never fully left because I was a professor at the law school. Most people when they talk about wellness, they think of physical not mental. We want to make sure we talk about everything when we talk about wellness. I work closely with Jessica Eads. The first area I work with is student health services, the health center, located in the wellness center. We provide campus access to care in the physical sense. We want to update the waiting areas. I want everyone to know who their health providers are. I want to update the website so everyone knows who they are. Last week there was an atrium takeover where nurses and practitioners were in the student center. We have a lot of services that people go off campus for and I would like to make sure students are using these services as they are covered with tuition a lot of the time. Another area is student counseling services. Timelycare was introduced and we are
keeping that available and promoted. It is highly utilized and I am trying to make sure we are using it in the right way. There is 24 hour service and we want students to make sure they are using that. Mary is working with reslife to make sure commuters and every student has access. With regards to campus recreation, there was a change from club sports. We are making sure that these clubs stay and that these services are even available during inclement weather. Title IX is something we also provide. We are working hard to make sure services are more accessible, and Brittany’s office is available. Grace in wellness is in charge of programming. SAS falls under this as well. We are seeing increased demand for this and we are making sure we are able to help the students there. Hofstra likes to upgrade and we are trying to make sure Kate and her team are a part of this. Also career services and occupational health. Mark is a great hire for the academic space as he was head of CUA. They are currently in Weller Hall and we are moving them downstairs so they can be more visible. The career fair is taking place on February 11th. Getting employers is harder post-COVID. We have over 100 employers coming to the Arena. I was active in SGA during my time.
ii. Senator Smook: Currently Timelycare only allows 10 appointments per year. Could more be allowed for students who are not as financially welloff in order to allow them to receive counseling?
1. Steve Richman: People automatically think appointments but Timelycare is unlimited. The ten hours is just a restricted time for employees. The 24/7 access is a resource and we want to promote it. It is not a chatbot. You are talking to a licensed medical practitioner.
iii. Senator Hoffman: About Timelycare and SCS, I am not sure if this was an isolated case, but trying to schedule appointments you get directed to a phone number and then an access code? How could this be streamlined to have it on the website to make it more accessible for students? Could there be a way to add an assessment appointment?
1. Steve Richman: I think if there is any way to make it more accessible let’s do it. We want it to make sure you are put into the right type of care that is why. If we feel like there is a roadbump, let’s work on it. If there are any ways to use technology, I am open to streamlining processes.
iv. Chair Ahmad: About SAS, Roosevelt is quite a difficult location for students to access. When I was an OL, it was difficult for students who needed SAS accommodations to schedule things like the ALEKS exam? How could this be streamlined?
1. Steve Richman: If there are ways to better incorporate that, Kate will make sure the orientation process is streamlined. If we could change Roosevelt we would. We are actively looking for a new space, but in terms of the space we have and making it easier let’s work on it.
v. Chair Dzaveluri: You mentioned how Marc transferred from CUA to wellness and that wellness is also linked to academics. Are there any initiatives you are working on that highlight how students are struggling on the academic side?
1. Steve Richman: That is where Marc is unique,as part of what we are looking for is curriculum. A lot of students are utilizing career services too little, so we want to streamline between wellness and career services. We want to utilize Marc’s experience to build an infrastructure to help build careers for students. The career fair is Wednesday and we are working on forage, which gives you experience and training for a variety of careers.
vi. Chair Chauhan: How exactly do you collect data or figure out what the needs of the whole student body are? Are there any initiatives you are taking to increase transparency in the SHS office about the different payment options available to them? You mentioned the SHS website, it is mentioned which services are free or if it is it is not on the front of the page.
1. Steve Richman: They are offering so many services that so many people are aware are free. There are realities we have with compliance, but we really want to do an update making sure what we offer is out there. You have to pay attention to the changes including social media or websites changes. We have a great safe app and wellness is not incorporated into that app. We are working on a bar on the app that lets you access wellness services like timely care. That is one way we are thinking about to make it more accessible. In all of the spaces, we are in the process of rebranding to make things simpler. Come to me. I came back to Hofstra to work with students.
vii. VP Young: I use SHS a lot and a suggestion from what I have seen as an RA is that it is hard for students to get their prescriptions and insurance here so they prefer to use their doctors at home. There could be a streamlined process at orientation detailing how to do this as freshmen are often intimidated?
1. Steve Richman: Yes we could look into this.
viii. Senator Chacon: I noticed there were lots of masks last semester. Most of these are gone now.
1. Steve Richman: Facilities provide those but I can definitely raise that if it is still a need.
ix. Chair Denson: A lot of the hand sanitizer dispensers are empty in the buildings.
1. Steve Richman: I think that is totally fair and I will 100% raise this. For high traffic areas we may need to consider something bigger.
x. Senator Pierre: I use SHS a lot and what I have noticed with SHS and Timelycare appointment options is that there is not a lot of diversity among counselors. This can make me and some other students uncomfortable.
1. Steve Richman: I know the intention behind timely care is we only have so many counselors and I don’t want students not to seek help because they're not comfortable. I am going to investigate that. Timelycare provides wider access and more health care practitioners. I can raise this with timely care and our health center.
xi. Chair Orellana: When talking to students about using SHS they have complained about availability and the lack of opportunity for walk-ins. Staff can be rude to walk-ins and students may not get the help they need.
1. Steve Richman: I am here, I am accessible and approachable. I want to hear about it if one person on my team is not treating you with respect or decorum. That should not be the case. I am still a few months fresh, but if that is something we need to address on our side I will.
xii. Senator Smook: Speaking personally as someone who uses SAS, what do you think of students in general who need less distractions and need to take tests individually? Can SAS accommodate these students?
1. Steve Richman: I know that something we are actively looking for is space. We have a team of counselors. We have limited space and if something is not being met, we will work on it.
xiii. Senator Puerre: Do you have any plans for students who want to use the student wellness center to gain hours for internships? In regards to that, do you have initiatives to promote it to undergraduate students as I did not know of this?
1. Steve Richman: Depending on the program you are in, student health and student counselling takes on students. We have a pretty robust intern opportunity and we are looking to expand that to places like the rec center. We do have students actively engaged in
clinical hours. I can raise this. The more we can have students as part of these programs, I will work on that.
xiv. Chair Ahmad: We have an emotional support dog on campus, can we get a cat? How well do you receive responses or data from students and if you do not, is there any way SGA can support you?
1. Steve Richman: We have not done a general wellness survey in a while. The last was probably pre-COVID. One of the things we can do is get a survey that is useful and to make sure people respond because average response rates are usually not great. Doing something that we can get data and feedback from, we can put together an action plan. It would be helpful to get something campus wide so we can get some more broad answers.
xv. Chair Malhotra: I came across a survey on Fizz that talked about emotional service animals and that the current policies are not that strong. There were issues with cats’ litters not being replaced and rooms being smelly. A german shepherd was living in a dorm. I am concerned about the perspective of the animal rights situation and what the university’s way would be to assess these situations?
1. Steve Richman: While this wouldn’t fall under my jurisdiction, this is important. Service animal requests are done with SAS but also with coordination with other campus offices. This hasn’t been raised to me yet, but it is important for our animals to be taken care of.
xvi. Senator Subramanian: You were talking about students working with SAS on involving animals. I want to ask about other students who might be living with these students in shared spaces and coordinating with SAS to make sure students living with roommates with ESAs are comfortable as oftentimes they are not and are asked to leave the room. What are some rules that can be made to make sure students feel safe there?
1. Steve Richman: I think we need Reslife in that conservation. But from a wellness perspective, having a clean and safe environment that goes without saying. SAS involves determining need, but how that is implemented after the fact is separate but related. I am not directly involved in monitoring but I will raise this.
xvii. Chair Chauhan: I am an international student and many international students groups hold events. I have noticed there is not a lot of updates given about the current situation with H1B and F1 visas and many international students are scared and do not understand. A lot of information was not provided by the international students office.
1. Steve Richman: 100% bring up to them. I have a history professionally with international students. I am hyper mindful of it. I will connect with Shannon Paul, from the international office. A lot of news happens and we are doing our best to mitigate it. If it is something that is not being communicated well, I will talk to her about making sure that information gets out correctly.
xviii. Senator Pierre: Since you are new here, what do you think the SHS and the university does well now and what can be improved?
1. Steve Richman: The people that work in the health service genuinely care. They are here for the right reasons. We provide a lot of resources to make sure students' needs are being met. We are not transmitting what we do and they can be accessed. That needs to change. What we do really well not everyone is aware of. We also need to do a better job at getting to know how the medical practitioners are so you know and are comfortable.
xix. VP Young: I know you are new to this role, but do you have a 10-year plan for SHS, Timelycare, etc? Where do you see student wellness services in 10 years?
1. Steve Richman: Getting care where care is needed is the bottom line for me. If someone needed care and they got it after roadbumps I did it. I want people to think about wellness beyond physical and wellness. If someone wants care, I want them to think they came to the right spot.
xx. Chair Chauhan: I noticed all departments have a social media presence and the wellness one got deactivated a couple of days ago? Is there a dedicated account for student wellness services?
1. Steve Richman: Wasn’t my call. I am new here. I did not know there was an account. I am working really closely with Brittany to be branded as wellness at Hofstra. I want wellness to be a onestop-shop, and if social media will do that I want it.
c. SA 2026.90.019
i. Presented by Chair Iacobovici
1. Chair Iacobovici: This is for the absence policy. I added that cabinet will provide at least 3 opportunities that will provide for a reversed absence.
2. VP Young: Right now you can reverse an absence up to twice per semester and these events are voted on by cabinet.
3. Chair Iacobovici moves to propose language for SA.2026.90.19
Section A subsection 2 “Cabinet will provide at least three (3) opportunities that allow for a reversed absence per semester.”
a. Motion seconded
b. Motion passed
4. Senator Yepez: For the town hall, it was mandatory for cabinet so it took away a reversal opportunity for cabinet. I think the language should be updated to something like “Cabinet would provide at least three (3) opportunities that allow for a reversed absence per semester for cabinet and senators.”
a. Chair Iacobovici: For build-a-friend, if you table and you are not in the committee you reverse an absence. But for the committee, it is required.
b. Senator Yepez: Some events that you can go to that are makeups, are mandatory for some people. Should there be opportunities that allow for everyone to go to.
c. Chair Iacobovici: The idea is that everyone would get at least 3 opportunities to reverse an absence for a semester.
5. Chair Ahmad moved to pass SA.2026.90.19
a. Motion seconded
b. Motion passed
d. Pulse Check
i. VP Young: I just want to discuss senate guests this semester upon reading comments from last semester. One of the most important parts is to hear what the administration has to say as there are some people who never get to speak to the administration in 4 years. You ran for this position and this seat is not guaranteed as you have to win it.
C. Approval of the Minutes
a. Senator Noel moves to pass the Senate minutes from January 29th
i. Motion Seconded
ii. Motion Passed
b. Senator Bokhari moves to pass the Cabinet minutes from February 4th
i. Motion Seconded
ii. Motion Passed
D. E-board Reports
a. President
i. Frei Scholars Reception
ii. Met w/ President Poser
iii. Meeting about Day of Giving, TVs
1. Chair Chauhan: What was President Poser's response to the concerns you raised about AI?
a. President Quail: It was more of a pulse check. There were issues with audio and sound. It was more of a text to speech, than just AI.
2. Senator Pierre: Is this going to be an every year occurrence about playing with students' names using AI?
a. President Quail: I would guess yes, as the university generally feels it went well.
3. Senator Subramanian: In terms of the university reaching out to alumni, will they ask alumni to donate to different clubs?
a. President Quail: People are free to donate to different organizations that they were in. They are not doing that outreach for you but clubs are able to do that themselves. It is less targeted toward organizations and more at the university in general.
b. Vice President
iv. Party
v. Senate absence and late
vi. Senator Projects Updates
vii. Social Chair Updates
1. Senators Hoffman, Ruffo, Ehrlich: We are organizing a Museum trip to the MET and we have space for about 25 tickets. We are a month out from powerpoint night. We have a Valentine’s Day Card-Making event next Wednesday in the PPAW.
viii. Senate Guest
1. There are a couple of slots open, let me know if there is a guest you think would be interested or a good fit!
b. Comptroller
i. Working with OSLE on forms and budgets
c. Secretary
i. Room Request Form
ii. Catering Request Form
iii. Working on Formal
E. Committee Chair Reports
a. Appropriations
i. 02/03 Minutes
ii. Treasurer Training!!
1. Over 100 submissions so far!
2. Over 90% average!
3. Thank you to everyone who came!
a. Last one: Friday, February 6th - 1:00 PM Student Center Room 143 - come if you can!
b. Club Resources
i. 02.02.2026 minutes
ii. Club applications end this week!
1. Committee dates: 18 & 25 from 12-3pm
c. Communications
i. Minutes
ii. Filming Equity Asks, Wellness Wednesday, and Plan Van Promo Reels
iii. Finished up some graphics
d. Programming
1. Minutes
2. Thank you to all who came to bingo!!
3. Names and personalities for bears have been picked!!
4. Valentines tabling FILL THIS OUT!!!!!
5. Meeting with lexis for karaoke tomorrow
e. Academic Affairs
i. AA minutes from 02/05
ii. Planning event
iii. PLEASE COME TO CUA@LIB
1. Feb 9th
2. Common hour LOBBY+FOURTH FLOOR
iv. Met with Dean Ploran
1. Attendance policy
2. Implementing bulletin boards
v. Meeting with Dr. Blue Wednesday 2/11
f. Equity & Inclusion
i. Minutes
ii. BLACK @ HOFSTRA W IEI!
1. Feb 11th Common Hour MPR
iii. Contacting clubs for Eats Around the World, hope to confirm our clubs with Lexis by Monday!
iv. As always, check the end of my minutes for inclusive programming throughout the week!
g. Facilities & Operations
i. Minutes
ii. The Veterans Resource Center will be located in Memorial Hall 012. This space will be furnished/worked on throughout the semester and the summer break, and will be ready by the fall!
h. Wellness & Campus Safety
i. Minutes, February 5
ii. Met with Mark and other club sports presidents on Wednesday
iii. Meeting with James Watterson to plan the HSA yoga event tomorrow
iv. Met with Jovanni today
1. Stop the Bleed and Narcan training is being planned
a. PhiDE and AMWA have confirmed!!!
v. Meeting with Brittany and Grace on tomorrow to plan Title IX week
vi. Collab with RA Jacob Feb 21- tea tasting!!
F. Approval of Committee Minutes
a. Senator Smook moves to pass the committee minutes from February 2nd.
i. Motion seconded
ii. Motion passed
G. Approval of Allocations
a. Chair Orellana moves to pass the allocations from February 3rd
i. Motion seconded
ii. Motion passed
H. For the Good of the Order
a. Chair Denson: Whenever I post a graphic, repost!
b. Senator Subramanian: As part of the Veterans’ initiative, we are looking into private sources of funding like grants. If anyone is interested in researching, reach out to me and Ronit.
I. Announcements
a. Anything non-SGA related!
b. HOMECOMING!!!!!!
i. Women's game tomorrow at 6:00 PM
J. Snap Cup
a. Decorum suspended
K. Adjournment
a. Chair Ahmad moves to close the gallery
i. Motion seconded
ii. Motion passed
b. Senator Malayeri moves to adjourn this meeting
i. Motion seconded
ii. Motion passed
1. Meeting adjourned at 8:49 pm EST
Meeting Commenced: 6:30 pm
Attendance:
Comptroller Maddie Skeldon
Chair Nene Dzaveluri
Senator Pat Bruso
Senator Bianca Yepez
Senator Ferheen Bokhari
Senator Rebecca Noel
Senator Jake Urban
Associate Jake Tenebruso
Late: Senator Daniel Malayeri
Absent:
Agenda:
Appropriations Committee Minutes Spring 2026 Meeting
PPAW Conference Room 260D 02/03/26 - 6:30pm
Guests! Vice President Young, Chair Chauhan, President Quail
Ice Breaker: Would you rather find one grown man in your attic or 200 live rats?
Allocations Assignments!
● Budgets: Feb 3rd Meeting
○ American Medical Women's Association - Bianca, Becky
○ Sitare - Pat, Jake T
○ Financial Management Association - Jake U, Ferheen
○ American Choral Directors Association - Daniel, Nene
○ Hofstra NAfME - Nene, Ferheen, Jake T
Treasurer Training:
○ Netherlands Dining Room - North End 103E - Wednesday, February 4th - 1:00 PM
○ Netherlands Dining Room - North End 103E - Thursday, February 5th - 4:30 PM
○ Student Center Room 143 - Friday, February 6th - 1:00 PM
● Remember you have to attend a treasurer training each semester and score a 90%
○ Treasurers average score is over 90%!!
Budget Weekend:
● April 10th and 11th!
● 11-3? - Tentative
○ Please let me know about any conflicts you may have ASAP!!!!!!!
Comptroller Report:
Allocations:
6:35 pm - American Medical Women's Association
● Senator Noel: They ordered 50-60 of each of the supplies, and I wanted to know how many members they have
● Comptroller Skeldon: They have over 270 members, and usually around half of the members on getinvolvedHU go to meetings, so I think the quantity is fair
● Senator Noel moves to allocate $446.70 for Line Item Funding Request 69; Seconded by Chair Dzaveluri.
● The motion passes
● Chair Dzaveluri moves to allocate $156.90 for Line Item Funding Request 70; Seconded by Senator Bokhari.
● The motion passes
6:40 pm - Sitare
● Senator Bokhari moves to allocate $984.00 for Line Item Funding Request 71; Seconded by Chair Dzaveluri.
● The motion passes
6:45 pm - Financial Management Association
● Corrected math. The water was $6.95 instead of $7.00
● Chair Dzaveluri moves to allocate $231.07 for Line Item Funding Request 72; Seconded by Senator Bokhari.
● The motion passes
6:50 pm - American Choral Directors Association
● Chair Dzaveluri: There is a conference fee that is $125 per attendee
● Comptroller Skeldon: We already allocated them $30 per attendee so we would need to overturn the policy series to fund that.
● Chair Dzaveluri: I think we should fund the transportation but not fund the fee. We should also fund the guest speaker.
● Senator Yepez: I feel that they are asking for a lot of money with the transportation, and that they can handle the funds because they are carpooling. I don’t think we should fund transportation.
● Senator Urban: I don’t think we should fund the conference fee, fund half of the transportation, and fully fund the guest speakers.
● Chair Dzaveluri moves to allocate $706.73 for Line Item Funding Request 73; Seconded by Senator Bokhari.
● The motion passes
6:55 pm - Hofstra NAfME
● Chair Dzaveluri: The math was all right. I just don’t think we should fund the catering due to budgetary restrictions
● Associate Tenebruso: I also think we should not fund the end of year BBQ due to budgetary constraints
● Senator Bokhari: Maybe instead we fund half for the catering and not fund the end of year BBQ
● Senator Yepez: The spring adjustments were for items for the end of year BBQ, which means we already funded the event earlier
● Associate Tenebruso: Then instead we should fund the food and candy, but not the volleyball set
● No motion for the Line Item Funding Request 82.
● Chair Dzaveluri moves to allocate $22.93 for Line Item Funding Request 81; Seconded by Senator Noel.
● The motion passes
● Associate Tenebruso moves to allocate $38.96 for Line Item Funding Request 82; Seconded by Senator Urban
● The motion passes
● Senator Bokhari moves to allocate $300 for Line Item Funding Request 83; Seconded by Senator Yepez.
● The motion passes
● Chair Dzaveluri moves to allocate $177.66 for Line Item Funding Request 84; Seconded by Senator Bokhari.
● The motion passes
Meeting Adjourned: 7:14 pm
Respectfully Submitted, Chair Prahlad Peri
Meeting Agenda
Spring 2026 6:30 pm, Feb 2, 2026
SGA Conference Room
Meeting Commenced 6:30 pm
Attendance
Chair Maisa Ahmad
Chair Aarushi Chauhan
Senator Lily Hoffman
Senator John Vira
Senator Dayanna Rubio-Chacon
Senator Sophia Apostal
Associate Lily Hierbert
Late Arrival
Senator Jean Pierre
Absent Visitors!
I. Icebreaker
A. If you were a wrestler, what would your entrance theme song be?
II. Senatorial Action
A. Senatorial Action SA.2026.90.019 Policy Updates
1. Chair Iacobovici and Chair Chauhan presents SA.2026.90.0019
2. Deliberation:
● Looks perfectly formatted
3. Senator Vira to pass SA.2026.90.019.
4. Senator Hoffman seconds the motion.
5. Motion passed!
B. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10wQX8ivb2kAaW8IKWacJOWIJWuX-qnRbeSlrq6uB8c/edit?usp=sharing
1. John Vira helping out yayyyy!
III. Club Check-In
A. Creativz
1. Chair Chauhan moves to check-in Creativz and invites them to Senate to complete the check-in process.
2. Senator Chacon seconds the motion.
3. Motion passed!
B. Active Minds
1. Senator Chacon moves to check-in Active Minds and invites them to Senate to complete the check-in process.
2. Senator Vira seconds the motion.
3. Motion passed!
C. SGA Check-in sheet
IV. Chair Updates
A. Meeting with Sev on Feb. 12
B. SAW Idea Brainstorming
1. Club closet pamphlets advertise.
2. What resources do clubs need?
V. Club Office Changes
A. Process breakdown
VI. Club Recognition
A. Wednesday, February 18: 12pm - 3pm
1. Aarushi (leave early)
2. Dayanna - 1pm
3. Lily Hoffman
4. Lily Hiebert - 12:45
B. Wednesday, February 25: 12pm - 3pm
1. Aarushi (leave early)
2. Jean - 12:45
3. Lily Hoffman
4. Sophia - 12:45pm
VII. Reminders
A. Be sure to take a look at the CR policies. It is definitely long but not a hard read! It will be GREAT if we all have an understanding of the policies.
B. You can reach me at (832) 417 7912 if you have any questions or need anything at all!
C. If you’re going to be absent, email me, sga_secretary@pride.hofstra.edu; sga_ethicsandconduct@pride.hofstra.edu; sga_vicepresident@pride.hofstra.edu!
Meeting Adjourned 6:48 pm
Respectfully Submitted, Maisa
Ahmad Club Resources Chair
Communications Committee Meeting
Student Center Rm 145 February 2, 2026
Meeting Called to Order: 6:00 pm
Quorum
Present:
Chair Kyle Denson
Chair Ronit Malhotra
Senator Harish Subramanian
Senator Michael Araba
Senator Adiba Mansour
Senator Wasih Gillani
Senator Yoni Smook
Associate Nathan Arscott
Absent:
Agenda:
1. Icebreaker:
a. What is your favorite month of the year and why?
2. Updates
a. Transitioning from Canva to Adobe for graphics
i. Canva runs out on the 7th
b. Wellness Wednesday with Aari
i. Filming on Friday
c. Equity Asks: Black History Month Edition
i. Filming with Celeste and DaeJa
d. Currently Promoting
i. Plan Van - Every Wednesday
ii. Academic x CUA Event - February 9th
iii. Treasurer Training
e. Graphics
i. Valentines Day Photo Booth
3. Business
a. Weekly Content Calendar
i. Feature Friday - Facilities
b. 90th SGA Celebration
i. Goal: 20-30 Alumni
ii. U-Club
iii. What are some ways you would like to interact with these alumni?
1. Q&A
2. Bingo
3. Guess who?
4. SGA Kahoot/Blooket
c. Graphic Delegation
i. Memo Monday: Wasih
ii. Tune Tuesday: Yoni
d. Decorum for ‘Em
i. Last year's copy
1. What do we like?
a. Senator Page/Justices/Associates
b. Crossword
c. “What Committee Are You?”
d. Seniors Pages
2. What do we want to do differently?
a.
Reminders:
● If you have to miss committee, please email Ethics, VP, Secretary, and me. If you are missing Senate, make sure to email the Ethics, VP, and Secretary.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:18pm
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle Denson Communications Chair
