The 112th Student Government Association (SGA) convened on Tuesday, Sept. 10 for their weekly meeting.
President of the Senate Nasreen Naqvi led the session, beginning with non-legislative business. Naqvi passed the microphone to 2026 Class President Oluwakemi Abiodun, who presented her initiative to table for voter registration. The 2024 presidential election is the first in which the Class of 2026 can legally vote; Abiodun emphasized the importance of this moment. “This initiative is a key way for us to contribute positively towards the school in the larger community and not just focus on life […] as a student,” she said. On a pending date between Sept. 22 and Oct. 4, students will find a table on the Breezeway where they can enter a raffle for various prizes, including a customized Hopkins onesie, by showing proof that they are registered to vote.
Abiodun then presented her second initiative of the session, which calls for Hopkins to establish parking for undergraduate juniors and seniors, who are required to live off campus. Despite recent construction, Hopkins has yet to create a parking plan for any of its undergraduate students, so those with cars must sometimes settle for expensive parking spots in unsafe areas that are far from campus. Abiodun acknowledged the realities of public transportation for students in the city — safety concerns, reliability and convenience — and called on administration to make a change. “We cannot fault people for having a car,” she concluded.
After breaking for a closed meeting and cohort time, the session transitioned into the first reading. Senator Ryan Alezz and Senator Omar Gharib requested $500 to fund the Johns Hopkins University Muslim Association Barbecue, a back-to-school event for Muslim and non-Muslim students. The bill was delegated to finance. Next, Vice-President of the Senate Jackson Morris spoke for his and Senator Jaden Garcia’s attendance amendment, aimed to reform the current attendance policy outlined in the SGA Constitution. The amendment was turned over to the Internal Affairs Committee.
