On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Student Government Association (SGA) convened for its weekly meeting. They discussed the creation of a new student advisory board with Dean of Sheridan Libraries Elisabeth Long, fine tuned plans for the upcoming Valentine’s Day Speed Dating event and reviewed several funding bills.
The meeting opened with a presentation by Dean Long, who discussed the upcoming creation of a student advisory board for the library which may be composed of student volunteers and an SGA representative, in order to improve library resources, accessibility and engagement with the Hopkins student body. SGA members and Dean Long discussed this proposition’s potential impact on the student experience, as well as additional suggestions to improve study spaces. These included more charging stations, a productive balance between silent and group study spaces, and potential furniture changes.
Following cabinet reports, SGA turned to a discussion of the upcoming Valentine’s Day Speed Dating event, scheduled for Feb. 22 in the Great Hall. The event currently involves 10 rounds of speed dates, with rotating tables and the chance to exchange contact information with participants. Members reviewed funding plans for flowers, decorations, and the structure and timing of the event.
The meeting concluded with second readings of several bills in the works. SGA tabled the Club Colombia Funding Bill, a bill presented by Senator and Chair for Hispanic/Latinx Caucus Cynthia Sanchez Hidalgo to secure funding for an upcoming Hopkins-wide Copa América soccer tournament, as well as an ABSA Funding Bill, presented by President of the Senate Nasreen Naqvi, for an Ice Skating Social, due to financial technicalities.
Vice President of the Senate Srigouri Oruganty then presented the South Asian Mela Funding Bill, designed to secure funding for an event which aims to promote the South Asian Studies minor survey to gauge student interest for its potential implementation in the Hopkins curriculum. The bill passed.
