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LAMBDA Gender Sexuality Alliance’s request for a name change to Queer Student Association was denied by the university after being initially unanimously approved by the Student Government Association on Oct. 9. The decision was announced at the SGA meeting on Oct. 23.

LAMBDA president Nialah Miller said the administration of Duquesne denied the request because of the university’s global ties. Since the university has a large presence internationally and a lot of international students, they did not approve of the use of the term ‘queer,’ she said.

SGA president Faith Cook said the university felt the term queer was not recognized the same in other countries as it is in America.

“They feel like it’s not a globally accepted term,” Cook said.

Miller said the organization in the meantime will apply for a different name. The organization plans to meet soon to discuss future possibilities, she said.

Diversity, Inclusion and Identity chair Lei’asha Battle said the newly approved organization The Coalition for Quality Queer Care has also been asked to change their name.

Last week The Duke reported the LAMBDA name change attempt, Leanna Fenneberg, vice president of student life, said in an email on Oct.16 that organization names must align with the university’s educational and Spiritan mission. Final say on all name approvals are subject to university discretion following collaborative discussion with university administrators, she said.

The committee addressed other ongoing concerns, which have been brought up in previous meetings.

Cook reached out to residence life about concerns over the amount of and state of laundry options in some dorm buildings. She said a few new washers are being installed in St. Ann’s, and maintenance has been asked to keep a closer eye on the state of the machines. If students have complaints about laundry or vermin in dorms they should report it at the front desk as there is a log which is checked weekly by residence life, she said.

Senator Jayla Flenory pitched the possibility of an open forum event where students can voice concerns to some members of university administration.

The committee also installed three new senators:

Megan Laskoski

Katie Klinek-Cornell

Ella Solberg

During the open forum, Battle brought to light an issue with on-campus food. She said the market only offers one lactose free milk option for a meal swipe, opposed to last year when they also offered Silk Soy Milk. Now, students have to pay Flex or out of pocket for Silk Milk, which she felt was not fair to students who can’t consume dairy.

The committee also approved a new on campus organization: The Neurological Disease Society.

Sean Marshall, finance committee chair, said they made rough estimates of conference appropriations for five clubs and will officially announce the amounts at the next SGA meeting.

The next SGA meeting will be on Nov. 6 in room 119 of The Union. The committee said they will be catering Jersey Mike’s Subs at the next meeting.