Congress Update

by Emma Cody on November 6, 2025

News

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, there was no guest speaker, and no new business was presented. The amendment proposed on Oct. 21 regarding the renaming of the Subcommittee on Residence Life under the Student Life Committee to the Subcommittee on Residence Life and Physical Plant was passed. Additionally, the establishment of the Subcommittee on Safety, Security, and Transportation under the Student Life Committee was passed. Finally, the proposal of the Theology Club was passed.

Student Congress, as well as BOP, Friars Club, and Campus Ministry all participated in Pumpkinfest this past Sunday, Nov. 2.

Student Congress Update

by Amanda Ayres ’26 and Ava La Bruno ’27 on October 30, 2025

News

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, Student Congress was pleased to welcome Simone Tubman ’14, the Assistant Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Equity Compliance, and Title VI and Title IX Coordinator, within the Office of Equity Compliance (OEC). She is a proud alumna of Providence College and is committed to PC and “its success in advancing social justice, equity, access, and inclusivity.”

Tubman described her work as a key role in shaping the campus community. A huge aspect of her work focuses on maintaining an environment where students, faculty, and staff are treated with respect, as we are created in the image and likeness of God. She said this was a legal obligation, as well as a moral obligation. The legal aspect of her work focuses on institutional compliance. She ensures that PC is compliant with Title VI and Title IX, meets expectations of policies on discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and has the appropriate mechanisms in place to address complaints. Tubman wanted us to know that there is a person behind the computer in the OEC office, and she keeps a strict 24-hour response time goal for herself.

The other aspect of her office’s work is more student-facing. Tubman emphasized how she is a resource to all students, and the OEC is a hub for resources and support for those with concerns about things like bias and discrimination. She does work with campus partners to implement culturally relevant prevention education training and student engagement opportunities.

Tubman shared that a new initiative this year is SPEEC: Students Promoting Equity, Education, and Compliance. It is focused on leadership development, intercultural engagement, and collaborative program design. The first cohort has begun with opportunities to join the initiative, opening in the spring. Additionally, there will be a speaker series focused on words and how they can affect the community, coming soon.

When asked how we as students can promote the Office of Equity Compliance’s work, she said the best way is to “share and attend, connect and collaborate, feedback and suggest.” She urged Student Congress, as student leaders, to set an example and attend both the passive and educational events the office hosts throughout the year.

As for the rest of the meeting, the recommendation regarding the inclusion of General Chemistry I and II in the neuroscience major requirements passed. Amendments to the Student Congress Constitution regarding the establishment of the Subcommittee on Safety, Security, and Transportation and the renaming of a subcommittee to the Subcommittee on Residence Life and Physical Plant. Additionally, the Theology Club was proposed.

This was our first meeting since our annual retreat, and spirits were very high. After an enjoyable weekend on Cape Cod, Student Congress is ready to continue to reach new heights.

Student Congress Update

by Amanda Ayres ’26 and Ava La Bruno ’27 on October 2, 2025

Congress Updates

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Student Congress was pleased to welcome Eileen Wisnewski, the executive director of the Chirico Career Center. We all know and love the slogan, “Don’t Wait… Slavin 108,” and this perfectly encapsulates the message Wisnewski left with the 76th Student Congress.

The Chirico Career Center “works with students to identify, enhance, and accomplish their career development, internship, job search, and educational goals from college to career,” focusing on strengths and passions at the individual level. Wisnewski emphasized how the Chirico Career Center has “‘big school’ resources and a ‘small school’ feel,” with a large team of people that aim to see 100 percent of students come through their doors.

Wisnewski addressed the common misconceptions that she and her colleagues hear: that the Career Center is not needed if one is seeking to attend graduate, medical, or law school, that it only focuses on students in the School of Business, or the dreadful statement, “I’ll go when I’m a senior.” She emphasized how there are resources available to every major and career path at all points during a student’s four years at PC. They do more than just connect a student to job opportunities; they are there to assist in resume building, shadowing/internship experience, graduate school applications, practice/mock interviews, and even connecting graduates with resources after commencement.

She also shared that over the summer, there was a reorganization of the student-focused coaches, so they now focus on specific majors. The hope for this change is that students feel more encouraged to utilize their resources, and potentially allow coaches to nag students enough that they will seek their coach out. Wisnewski then posed a question to the Student Congress, asking how they can achieve 100 percent utilization of the office by students, knowing it is not a required resource. Many members voiced ideas about the Center having more social media presence, having every major/career path-specific information easily accessible, and even going as far as implementing their services into an already mandatory requirement, like academic advising.

Student Congress was grateful to Wisnewski and the Chirico Career Center for presenting their resources and goals, and appreciative of their receptiveness to our members’ feedback and ideas. For the rest of the meeting, a piece of legislation regarding the proposal of the Just Dance Club was introduced, and will be voted upon at the next meeting. We are also extremely excited to welcome our newly elected and selected first-year members at our next meeting.