The UGBC Senate cast doubt on the feasibility of a meal swipe plan for University dining halls at its meeting Tuesday evening.
Senator Bubba Curran, MCAS ’29, indicated that while limited implementation remained possible, a total overhaul was improbable, according to information he received from Boston College Dining Director Beth Emery.
“[Emery] seems open to add[ing meal swipes] at a limited basis,” Curran said. “But, she talks about how peak hours might dictate that. In other words, that’s not going to happen, probably.”
In its discussion of changes to BC dining, Curran emphasized that dining remains a major concern among students—reporting that BC’s dining earned a grade of C+ on Niche.
“Other ratings we have, like for student life in general and dorms, are all very high,” Curran said. “It’s really only dining that a lot of people have a problem with.”
The University previously considered implementing a meal swipe system in 2024. The proposed change would charge students a single time to access the dining hall and allow for an unlimited selection in the buffet instead of charging for each individual item, as the current balance system requires.
Also on the agenda was Senator Mary Cate King’s, MCAS ’29, initiative to launch a public policy program. The project has been moving toward a concentration rather than the originally planned minor under the direction of the political science department.
UGBC Vice President Reagan Marino acknowledged, however, that there is still much progress to be made in implementing the program.
“They wanted to make it a concentration within the political science major, rather than a separate minor, but even then, it still seems to be really far back,” said Marino, MCAS ’26.
King suggested the program could be expanded to a select number of humanities majors, such as economics and international studies, to make the project more feasible.
In addition to the discussion of new initiatives, Senators Thomas Gray and Anna Hvidsten, both MCAS ’27, were inducted into the Senate via unanimous vote.
“I’m super excited about hopefully joining Senate because I think one of the coolest parts of being on a college campus is that you get opinions on things, and I think this is a great place to voice them and really take action for real change here,” said Hvidsten.
Gray and Hvidsten assumed the roles of two former senators who went abroad this semester. They will serve until the elections in April.
After being selected by Marino via an application and interview process, the newly appointed senators expressed their enthusiasm to work within UGBC.
“I’m very excited about being here,” said Gray. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity, and I am excited to bring issues to the right forum for students.”
Along with two new senators, two new Senate committee chairs were nominated and unanimously elected at the meeting.
Senator Jordan Doty, LSEHD ’28, was inducted as student life committee chair. Doty has been a member of the Senate since her freshman year.
“I like to say [UGBC is] my extracurricular activity, like this is what I do,” said Doty. “This is what I love to do, and I’m really passionate about it.”
Additionally, Senator Will Cortes, MCAS ’28, was elected chair of the intersectionality committee (IC). Cortes, like Doty, is in his second term.
Cortes vied for IC chair last spring, but ultimately lost the senate vote to Senator Will Rafti, MCAS ’27.
Cortes discussed his appreciation for recent IC initiatives, such as December’s book drive.
“I just want to continue building on, especially as we’re coming out of the new year, I know a lot of people have a lot of new ideas,” said Cortes.