St. Thomas’ Undergraduate Student Government met for the first time this semester on Sept. 8 to discuss issues with residence hall overflows and the upcoming election.

Guest speaker: Karen Lange

Vice President of Student Affairs Karen Lange discussed the new Center for Well-Being programs and residence hall overflow.

The relocated Center for Well-Being opened in February 2020, soon after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Lange expressed that some students see the space as a COVID-19 center only, not for what it really is.

“They do [COVID-19 testing], but they do so much more than that,” Lange said.

The Center for Well-Being recently opened online scheduling for counseling sessions and will introduce ADHD testing for students in January 2023, Lange said.

Junior Class President Kate Kapsner expressed concerns over the overflowing of residence halls. She explained how many students in Brady Hall and Dowling Hall had to move into the community lounges located on each floor.

“We’ve done this many times before and how we manage that throughout the year is when spots open up, students will move out into a regular room,” Lange said. “Then we’re able to open those lounge spaces back up for community use.”

Junior Class Senator August Johnson, who is a resident adviser in Brady Hall, said he sees firsthand the lounge space issues but so far his residents who are living in the community spaces are very happy about the space.

“No problems yet,” Johnson said.

Upcoming election

USG will hold elections for the 11 open positions on Tuesday Sept. 20 at 8 a.m. The voting period will end Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.Students can vote on TommieLink under Undergraduate Student Government.

Open positions include:
-First-year class president
-First year class senator (2)
-First year residence senator
-Second year class senator
-Senior class senator
-Commuter senator
-Legislative Affairs senator
-Transfer senator
-Neighborhood senator
-Sustainability committee chair

Sydney LaBelle can be reached at labe7208@stthomas.edu.