By Alyssa Sanford
Web Editor
Student Government voted to approve the new TCNJ Chess Club during its general body meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
According to the Governmental Affairs (GA) committee, which heard a presentation from TCNJ Chess Club on Sunday, Oct. 18, it’s “the only club of its kind” on campus.
The club provides “a friendly environment for students interested in the game of chess,” according to GA.
It was considered to be a club that will sustain itself for many years because it has a large number of freshmen on its membership roster. Also, some of the members “are certified in running chess tournaments,” according to GA.
TCNJ Chess Club will tutor students who are new to the game, as well as host “casual games and tournaments.” GA voted unanimously in favor of approving the club before the final presentation at a general body meeting.
Representatives for the club said that they sought formal recognition from SG so that they could post official flyers around campus, create a Lion’s Gate page and book room reservations on campus for events and tournaments.
The general body, however, approved the TCNJ Chess Club almost unanimously, without any prior debate.
Dana Disarno, vice president of Academic Affairs, announced an upcoming event, “Registration 101,” set to take place in the Travers/Wolfe Lounge on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The event, which is targeted at freshmen and transfer students, “will be extremely helpful,” Disarno said.
Tutorials on accessing PAWS’ shopping cart feature will be a significant part of the event. Disarno urged general body members to “invite all the people that you think this (event) would benefit.”
Vice President of Student Services Olivia White spoke about The Hunger Banquet, an event that SG is co-sponsoring with TCNJ Student United Way. The event is a nationwide movement “with the mission to end poverty and hunger.”
The banquet will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
White explained that when entering the banquet, “you get separated into high class, middle class and low class, and depending on your class, you get served a meal.” The separation is meant to give students a taste of how those in other parts of the world live.
Additionally, parliamentarian Ken Rubin announced tabling for voter registration. On Friday, Nov. 6, SG will have tables set up in Eickhoff Hall, where students who register to vote can get a cupcake.
“Simple as that,” Rubin said.
SG will also hold a bake sale on Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20, to encourage voter registration.
Kevin Kim, the student trustee, talked about a lobbying committee that advocates for students’ complaints.
According to Kim, the lobbying committee is continuing to focus on “the trifecta from last year,” which is the extension of Eickhoff Hall’s hours, gym hours and library hours.
“Especially weekend Eick hours, because a 10 a.m. opening is a little ridiculous,” Kim said.
The committee will also expand its focus to extend hours for health services.
Following, sophomore class President Kelsey Capestro announced the council’s recent success after having initially been zero-funded by the Student Finance Board.
“We were fully funded for our moonlight cruise,” Capestro said, referring to the cruise that was initially rejected by SFB for funding. In their second proposal, the group asked for roughly $1,000 less.
All sophomores are eligible to attend the cruise, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21. The class will leave the College around 10:45 p.m. and return at approximately 2:30 a.m. Only 150 slots are open on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets are $12 per person.
