Pictured from left to right: Student Senate Advisor Alex Hilterbrand, Allison Cooper, Dillion Farmer, Kate Plesiewicz, Arty Puntus. Missing: Paulyne Catacutan
The Finlandia University Student Senate plays a vital role in the development of the campus community. Each academic year the officers of the Student Senate are elected by student popular vote.
Student Senate Officers are here to listen to you, and to pass on your concerns to the university administration. If you have a question, concern, or request, feel free to contact any of the officers. All Finlandia students are encouraged to participate in Student Senate activities.
The Senate may from time to time form subcommittees and special interest groups to address specific student concerns.
Contact the Student Senate at senate@finlandia.edu.
The Student Senate:
- Responds to the requests and concerns submitted by the student body, faculty, or administration
- Stimulates and promotes academic, spiritual, social, cultural, and recreational activities
- Fosters high standards of Christian character and conduct throughout the university and community
Accepting Student Senate Applications
Positions are available on the Student Senate for the 2022-2023 academic school year. Please fill out the following form by no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, March 21.
Vice President (Elected Position)
* Acts on behalf of the President when he/she is unavailable.
* Is held to the same responsibilities as the President in his/her absence.
* Keep open communication with student body and bring student concerns to Student Senate and University administration.
* Prepares reports for and records correspondence within/between Student Senate and Faculty/Staff (only as needed.)
* Assists with Student Senate-sponsored events.
* Coordinates any projects initiated by Student Senate not covered by committees.
* Follows the duties as assigned by the President, or assist others of Student senate in their assignments.
The Student Senate Vice President will be compensated with a $1,800 scholarship for the 22-23 academic year.
Secretary/Treasurer
* Is responsible for meeting minutes, Senate budget, reports, records, scheduling facility use and equipment rentals.
* Shall represent the Vice President in his/her absence.
* Is responsible for filling out proper state forms concerning Student Senate Finances as directed by the President and/or Student Senate rulings.
* Is responsible for collecting any Student Senate revenues and preparing and maintaining the financial books and records of the Student Senate.
* Prepares monthly financial reports and a summary of Student Senate funds.
* Shall present funding requests to the Senate Advisor for review.
* Is the contact for publicity of Senate-related materials, documents, records, etc.
The Student Senate Secretary/Treasurer will be compensated with a $1,800 scholarship for the 22-23 academic year.
Activities Officer (Appointed position)
* Set one meeting each semester with all clubs to inform them of their requirements and keep in contact with them on Student Senate events.
* Plan and assist the Finn Fair in both Fall and Spring semesters.
* Maintain contact list for clubs and organizations and Clubs and Organizations web page.
* Assist in Senate Sponsored events.
* Other duties as assigned.
The Student Senate Activities Officer will be compensated with a $1,800 scholarship for the 22-23 academic year.
Campus and Community Representative (CCR) (Appointed position)
* Liaison and coordinator for community events.
* Responsible to coordinate one meeting per semester with the head of the marketing department.
* Prepare/Record Senate positions for inclusion in university publications
* Responsible for scheduling as well as maintaining the Senate email by checking it daily.
* Managing the Student Senate Facebook page
* Assist in Senate-sponsored events.
* Other duties as assigned.
The Student Senate Campus and Community Representative will be compensated with a $1,800 scholarship for the 22-23 academic year.
Graphic Design Artist (GDA) (Appointed position)
* Responsible for all senate marketing and branding. This includes (but is not limited to) creating posters and Finn TV monitor advertisements
* Assist in Senate-sponsored events.
* Other duties as assigned.
The Student Senate Graphic Design Artist will be compensated with a $1,800 scholarship for the 22-23 academic year.
Please contact Alex Hilterbrand at Alex.Hilterbrand@finlandia.edu with any further questions.
Student Senate Position Applications
2021-22 Student Senate Officers
Arty Puntus, President
apuntus@finlandia.edu
Senior
Major: Nursing (BSN)
Co-curricular: Student Ambassador, member of ALD, Vice President of SNA (Student Nursing Association)
Where are you from?: Minsk, Belarus
Joined: Spring 2020
Favorite thing to do on campus: Chat with students in the cafeteria
Favorite place to eat in town: Gino’s (Hancock)
Favorite thing to do in the Keweenaw: Skiing
Why did you join Student Senate?: I wanted to make changes on campus and help the ones in need
Dillion Farmer, Vice President
ddfarmer@finlandia.edu
Senior
Major: Nursing (BSN)
Where are you from?: Plymouth, Michigan
Co-curricular: Captain of the Finlandia Valorant team (Esports), Esports work-study participant, SNA (Student Nursing Association)
Joined: Fall 2020
Favorite thing to do on campus: Play in the Esports room
Favorite place to eat in town: Gino’s (Hancock), Sky Sushi and Copper Range Depot (Houghton)
Favorite thing to do in the Keweenaw: Backcountry Camping
Why did you join Student Senate?: To try to make a positive difference where I can and improve student life where possible.
Paulyne Catacutan, Secretary/Treasurer
pccatacu@finlandia.edu
Junior
Major: Criminal Justice, minoring in Psychology and Biology
Where are you from?: Soldotna, Alaska
Co-curricular: Soccer, Student Senate, Student Ambassador, SISU Leader, Orientation Leader
Joined: Fall 2020
Favorite thing to do on campus: Free meals on Mondays at the chapel and easy access to professors
Favorite place to eat in town: Copper Range Depot Family Restaurant (Houghton)
Favorite thing to do in the Keweenaw: Hikes, skating at the park, swimming in the canal, white city beach
Why did you join Student Senate: Service with pride, lead with confidence, inspire to impact lives.
Kate Plesiewicz, Activities Director
keplesie@finlandia.edu
Senior
Major: Nursing (BSN)
Where are you from?: Pinckney, MI
Co-curricular: Student Nurses Association (SNA), Academic Families, E-Sports Athlete (Valorant team)
Joined: Summer 2020
Favorite thing to do on campus: Hang out/play games at the E-Sports Center
Favorite place to eat in town: Gino’s (Hancock)
Favorite thing to do in the Keweenaw: Hike in summer/fall, visit Mount Bohemia (ski/spa) in winter
Why did you join Student Senate: To help create a fun environment for students to feel welcome and included during a time when COVID-19 changed how we knew what a ‘normal’ campus lifestyle entailed.
Allison Cooper, Campus Community Representative
amcooper@finlandia.edu
Junior
Major: Nursing, minoring in Psychology
Where are you from?: Grand Rapids, MI
Are you in any other campus clubs, athletics, organizations that you’d like to share?: Secretary, Student Nurses Association
Joined: Spring 2018
Favorite thing to do on campus: Hang out with friends and study
Favorite place to eat in town: The Den (Houghton)
Favorite thing to do in the Keweenaw: I love to explore what the Keweenaw has to offer through hiking and off roading
Why did you join Student Senate: I joined Student Senate to make a difference on campus and give students new things to try. I also joined to get more involved on campus!
Student Senate Documents