The Student Government Association (SGA) proposed topics for discussion with University President Ronald J. Daniels and Provost Sunil Kumar at their weekly meeting on Tuesday.
Executive Vice President Dean Chien explained that SGA members would be able to present their ideas at an informal event with Daniels and Kumar on Nov. 12.
“We want to come up with a couple topics that we feel are the most pressing or the most important, affecting our constituents, affecting the University — big structural things that we feel that President Daniels might be able to help us out with,” he said.
Sophomore Class Senator Mehak Ali and Junior Class Senator Addy Perlman identified resources for survivors of sexual assault and mental-health resources as potential topics.
Junior Class President Isaac Lucas highlighted the importance of fostering school spirit, citing low attendance at athletic events such as the Halloween Football Game event that the Junior Class Council hosted on Friday.
“We ordered 25 pizzas to be distributed to students in the stands; students were able to take home whole pizzas,” he said. “That’s kind of telling.”
Junior Class Senator William Cho argued that improving campus culture requires both student and administrative input.
Senior Class Senator Tiffany Thomas, who was inaugurated earlier during the meeting, wrote in an email to The News-Letter that she hopes to improve campus culture in her new role. Thomas was elected to fill a vacancy on the Senior Class Council.
“All great institutions need change makers and leaders who are willing to push the barriers for the betterment of others. I wanted to be part of the group at JHU that has the power to implement that change: SGA,” she wrote. “My biggest goal this year would be to encourage students’ emphasis on their own wellbeing by promoting a more positive school atmosphere.”
Sophomore Class Senator Adelle Thompson believes that expanding activities during Alumni Weekend could help improve student culture.
“We have a bunch of drunk alumni come up for a weekend, and then there’s a lacrosse game, and there’s that. Other schools have whole parades for their homecomings.... We have nothing, essentially,” she said. “People don’t even know it happens.”
SGA advisor Calvin Smith, Jr., who is the director of the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement (SLI), stated that he and other administrators have been communicating with students about potential events.
“It’s not that we’re not open to whatever it is that y’all want to do; we just want to know that if we commit the money, you’re going to show up,” he said. “We would love to support you having more events during Alumni Weekend.”
Thompson also advocated for housing for juniors and seniors, noting a shortage of affordable housing options off campus.
Cho encouraged fellow SGA members to prepare for the event.
“I’d like to challenge us as a body to really do our homework before this event — knowing what University policy is in and out, knowing student sentiment in and out,” he said. “We need to look more into looking at peer institutions to help strengthen our case when we do talk to President Daniels.”
Cho questioned why SGA members had not brought up the planned private police force.
Senior Class Senator Chase McAdams opposed discussing this topic with Daniels on Nov. 12.
“They were very displeased with what happened last year,” he said. “We need to let that die in their memory.
In an email to The News-Letter, he clarified that because SGA passed a resolution opposing the private police force, SGA was unable to act as a mediator between administrators and protesters following the escalation of the latter’s tactics.
“The admin refused the offer because SGA had declared their position and were no longer neutral,” McAdams wrote.
Assistant Vice President for External Relations Karen Lancaster responded to these comments in an email to The News-Letter.
“The SGA is a valued voice in campus dialogue on all matters of interest to students. While its outgoing leadership’s offer to serve as a mediator in the spring was appreciated, University administrators had already extended multiple opportunities to meet with students occupying Garland Hall as soon as they vacated the building,” she wrote.
Senior Class President Pavan Patel emphasized the importance of dialogue with administrators. He recommended that SGA push for representation on the Board of Trustees.
“Having more of a flowing and continuous discourse would help make sure that our voice is heard,” he said.
Thompson argued that discussing the private police force at the event might overshadow other efforts. She suggested postponing such a discussion with administrators.
SGA’s Internal Affairs Committee will finalize the list of topics before the meeting with Daniels and Kumar.
In addition, Sophomore Class President Nathan Mudrak shared plans to livestream SGA meetings in the future in order to promote transparency.
