On Thursday, March 5, the Macalester College Student Government (MCSG) met in the Weyerhaeuser Boardroom to discuss funding for student organizations, attendance at the first-year community gathering and updates from various campus-wide groups and MCSG committees.
First on the agenda was an appeal for vans by Pro-Choice @ Mac for their Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day event on March 23. Their request had originally been denied, as transportation is not usually provided by MCSG for events at the Minnesota State Capitol, but Financial Affairs Committee Chair David Christenfeld ’27 presented an appeal submitted by the club on the grounds that Pro-Choice @ Mac faces unique risks in taking public transportation.
“They’ve had issues taking public transportation while wearing clearly pro-choice attire, pins, badges and signs and being harassed,” Christenfeld said.
The amount requested was $124, which would leave $18,850 in the travel fund if approved. The motion to approve the funding passed with a vote of 19 in favor, zero opposed, and one abstention.
Next, the first-year class representatives presented an update on the First-Year Community Resources Gathering, which had taken place on Feb. 26. First-Year Representative Rohini Chatwani ’29 shared that an estimated 40 to 50 guests attended the event, which was a space for Student Affairs and Public Safety staff to share resources related to personal safety in response to the ongoing immigration crackdown.
“Overall, people who came found it really helpful. They said learning about the role of public safety was really informational,” Chatwani said.
But MCSG members acknowledged the turnout was low. Media and Outreach Coordinator Evelyn Cannon ’29 theorized that the leading reasons for non-attendance were unavailability during the event and a lack of interest in the response to federal law enforcement.
The representatives solicited feedback on how to improve attendance at future events, with one MCSG member suggesting that events be advertised to the student body earlier.
Student member of Macalester’s college-wide Educational Policy and Governance Committee Samantha Schafer ’26 then shared an update to the Macalester grading policy.
“Students may elect the S/SD/N [pass/fail] option for one or more courses each term. Courses graded under the S/SD/N option in Spring 2026 can be counted towards a major, minor or concentration; to satisfy a general education requirement; or to meet the second language proficiency requirement, as long as an S grade is earned for the course,” Schafer said.
This change was made in response to President Trump’s Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities, following conversations at an immigration solidarity luncheon on campus and with staff of the Lealtad-Suzuki Center. Eligibility for the Dean’s List will still require at least 12 credits on the letter grade option per semester.
The MCSG Cabinet followed with their own updates. Residential Life and Infrastructure Liaison Molly Friedrichs ‘26 shared that she was gauging student feelings on the implementation of a three-year residency requirement.
Accessibility and Wellness Liaison Emma Rohrs ’26 followed up by noting the acquisition of 190 Plan B doses by Health Promotion, to be provided for free through the Harm Reduction Cabinet and a student mailbox request form.
A MCSG cabinet member, who wished to remain anonymous for their safety, shared that they met with Macalester College President Suzanne Rivera to discuss opportunities for international students to gain work experience over the summer. The member said that Rivera supported the idea, which was also supported by the Board of Trustees and Vice President for Student Affairs Kathryn Kay Coquemont.
“We’re trying to push so that Macalester has a grant [that] international students can apply for, and then they’re paid through Macalester, and go and work wherever they want to work,” they said. “I wouldn’t say it’s successful until it’s done, but it looks like it’s [moving in] the right direction. What’s left is just figuring out, ‘where’s the money coming from?’”
Cabinet updates continued with Dining and Sustainability Liaison Jj Cuneo ’28, who stated that Macadillas as a meal swipe option at The Grill will not be returning as a permanent fixture.
“It’s because they don’t have the equipment in this kitchen, because it is a really small kitchen at The Grill, so they wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demand of the amount of people wanting quesadillas,” Cuneo said.
Cuneo also noted that faculty members are now allowed to utilize the Reuzzi system as well as students.
Committee updates were last on the agenda.
Sammi Shelton ’29, Chair of the Communications and Engagement Committee, said that the annual anonymous survey on student life had been sent to students.
Academic Affairs Committee Chair Gabby Bui ’29 said they are working on increasing the variety of opportunities available over J-Term and increasing the interest in MCSG graduate school admissions test grants.
Before the meeting was adjourned, Christenfeld noted that Budget Bonanza is coming up, and this was the last week for student org leaders to submit budgets.
