On Friday, Feb. 27, the Macalester College Student Government (MCSG) meeting opened with a presentation by sophomore class representative Xavier Honer ’28, who updated the Legislative Body (LB) on the ongoing contract negotiations between Macalester and the Macalester Undergraduate Workers Union – United Auto Workers (MUWU-UAW).
The presentation, which touched on the two parties’ disagreements about open bargaining, contextualized the LB’s later vote on a resolution in support of open bargaining. Honer is a member of MUWU-UAW’s bargaining committee.
Honer explained that Macalester declined to bargain in the presence of student workers who are not on the bargaining committee. Despite union representatives arguing their case against this decision, administrators have maintained their position, saying that open bargaining can be a disruption.
At the Friday, Feb. 20 bargaining session, which was closed to non-bargaining committee student workers, Macalester responded to MUWU-UAW proposals by saying it was “not interested” in them. The college also proposed a clause that would prevent strikes and lockouts and make it the union’s responsibility to prevent work stoppages.
“I don’t understand why [the administration] wants to limit rights. I don’t understand why [the administration] wants workers to not be in the room,” Honer said. “It seems part of a grander approach that they have to students mobilizing in any way. It’s a reflexive opposition. If students demand change, they say no.”
He went on to say that MCSG can support union efforts by holding the administration accountable, asking them tough questions and passing a resolution in support of open bargaining.
The resolution, which MCSG President Willow Albano ’26 presented later in the meeting, calls on the Macalester administration to “commit to engaging in fair, equitable, open bargaining … to establish and finalize a contract” with MUWU-UAW.
When Albano introduced the resolution, they explained that resolutions are usually decided upon on a two-week timeline, but that the LB would decide whether to vote that day, “considering that MUWU’s bargaining negotiations are ongoing, and the ask is urgent.”
The motion to vote on the resolution immediately passed with 17 in favor and three abstaining. The resolution then passed by the same margin.
Earlier in the meeting, Cabinet Chair Ainsley Meyer ’26 explained that the Cabinet had decided to deny $5,580 in funding for the cost of student tickets for a Mac for Palestine film festival, but to provide $500 compensation for speakers at the event. The Cabinet’s rationale came from a precedent of not using the community chest fund or student activity fee in a way that could serve as a direct donation to a cause.
“Those are students’ tuition dollars, [and the event is] something they’re not aware that that money would be going to,” Meyer said.
The Cabinet also wanted to avoid concerns about double-charging; the student activity fee was covering screening costs, and making students pay for tickets would mean they’d be charged twice.
Next up, MCSG tackled the three vacancies in class representative positions. A 2025 bill amending the MCSG bylaws states that when a vacancy remains after an election has been held, the president should be able to appoint someone to fill the role until the next election cycle, with two-thirds approval from the LB. Albano presented the board with three students to fill these vacancies for the two sophomore and one junior class representatives.
The first candidate, Raouda Mamane Bello Boubacar ’28, was not present due to a work conflict but was nonetheless elected with 15 votes in favor, one opposed and two abstentions.
David Manguluti ’28 was the second student selected as class representative for the sophomore class. The sophomore international student from Malawi and Botswana cited an interest in social justice as his motivation for running. He was elected unanimously.
Matthew Allaire ’27 was the final candidate and the only one for the junior class. He voiced concern about threats towards higher education from the federal government and a desire to help students succeed in an increasingly constrained U.S. job market.
“I think there are a lot of incoming students who have no idea what the labor market is going to look like by the time they graduate,” Allaire said. “I would like to help students who are coming into their young adult life try to wrestle with some of these really challenging things.”
Allaire was also elected unanimously.
Athletics and Recreation Liaison Ash Granda-Bondurant ’27 opened Cabinet updates with information regarding the upcoming Mac Madness event, as well as helping club sports plan for “Give to Mac Day.”
Next, Jj Cuneo ’28, Dining and Sustainability Liaison, informed the board about progress regarding bagged lunches, announcing gluten-free meals available by request. Finally, a member of MCSG who wished to remain anonymous for their safety, spoke about plans for international students’ summer housing, with more announcements to be made in the coming weeks.
Junior class representative Owen King ’27 gave updates on behalf of the Academic Affairs Committee, which has been discussing J-term classes and music costs. The Communications & Engagement Committee cited future plans for executive board takeovers to promote upcoming elections, as well as student surveys being sent out this week. The Financial Affairs Committee ended the updates with news about two denied requests for club funds.
The meeting ended with opening up the floor for any other questions, mostly regarding the Mac For Palestine film festival, and a few for Honer about MUWU-UAW bargaining. After an unsuccessful attempt to extend the meeting for even more questions, the session ended at 1 p.m.
