The recent Student Senate meeting on April 11 was attended by Decorah city officials looking to make stronger connections between the student body and the Decorah community.

During the session, Senate members engaged in a constructive dialogue with Decorah City Council members Christopher Miculinich and Steven Zittergruen, Decorah Fire Chief Jeff Clement, and Decorah Police Chief Trisha Thein. The group addressed plans for collaboration with Decorah’s local government for a “safer, more connected future.”

Miculinich and Zittergruen emphasized the importance of strengthening connections between Luther students and the broader Decorah community. They outlined key priorities for the upcoming year, focusing on initiatives that would positively impact both the city and the Luther community.

“I think that we’re at a really unique point in relationships between the city of Decorah and Luther College,” Zittergruen said. “I’ve heard from President Ward several times in several different meetings how Luther is coming to a new appreciation and a stronger appreciation for the ways in which it’s not just nice to have a college in our town, it’s not just nice that Luther happens to be in this neat community with trails and a good downtown. It’s not just nice, but it’s crucial that we need each other.”

Zittergruen further went out to point out the “symbiosis” between Luther and the Decorah community.

“I wanted to come here today partially to build on that and to say that the city of Decorah feels the same way,” Zittergruen said. “We need Luther College. We need the students. You all are a really important part of what makes our community special.”

Thein and Clement provided insights into ensuring the safety and well-being of both the city and the campus community. They discussed measures in place for officer training, crisis management and plans to tackle issues such as sexual violence.

“I think that we bring a lot of experience to the table and a lot of things that we can share and younger people can learn from us, but the reality is we have to step back and say ‘you guys are the future,” Thein said. “We stand to learn a lot from you as well, and so your voice matters.”

Zittergruen and Miculinich also emphasized the significance of the ongoing collaboration between Decorah and Luther. They encouraged students to attend City Council meetings, offering a platform for them to voice their concerns and effect meaningful change.

“It’s also really important for your lived experience in your own community that you know about your local government,” Zittergruen urged. “But if you have a concern about the way that we govern, about the decisions we make and how they affect you, you do have a chance to be heard.”

Suggestions were made by Senate members on how Luther students could contribute, including attending community events, volunteering and actively participating in city initiatives. Miculinich had previously met with Senate during the general meeting on March 12.

In other Senate news, one of the highlights of the meeting was the launch of the Senior Bar Crawl T-shirt contest, which promises a cash prize of $75 to the winner. Students were encouraged to participate and cast their votes for the winning design. Details about the contest can be found on the Instagram page @lutherseniorbarcrawl.

Moreover, tickets for the upcoming “Stride Through their Story: A Journey of Understanding and Fundraising” 5K fundraiser tickets are still available, providing an opportunity for students to contribute to a good cause, the Riverview Center.

The Senate announced that all positions will reopen for the next academic year, requiring current senators to re-run. The nomination form will be open from April 12 to May 26, with voting taking place from April 27 to May 3. The final results will be announced on May 4.

The minutes of the meeting can be found here. The next Student Senate meeting is scheduled for April 16 at 9:45 a.m. in the Mott-Borlaug room.