On Tuesday, April 1 the Student Government Association (SGA) convened for their weekly meeting. They discussed SGA merch, amendments to their Constitution and passed a funding bill to promote voter turnout in SGA elections.
The meeting opened with reports from board members. Chair of Programming Tim Huang congratulated SGA on the junior formal on March 28, which raised $1,300 for the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. The upcoming freshman formal is scheduled for April 12.
The meeting transitioned to a presentation by President of the Senate Nasreen Naqvi and Student Body Secretary Buse Koldas. Koldas and Naqvi introduced the Sesquicentennial Volunteer Committee, which aims to prepare for the University’s upcoming 150th anniversary, and they hope to enhance existing academic programs and activities in the spirit of the anniversary. Koldas introduced the Sesquicentennial Awards Program, which enables undergraduate student groups to receive funding for campus-wide events celebrating the 150th year. The amount of the awards has not yet been finalized.
Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) Senator Tanisha Taneja then introduced the creation of SGA merchandise in order to identify members at tabling events and promote visibility. Whiting School of Engineering Senator Moses Frumkin suggested that purchasing merchandise for SGA may suggest that funding is being directed away from public needs and toward SGA interests. While others acknowledged this possibility, they also hoped to purchase merchandise in order to promote visibility.
The meeting then transitioned to a closed session to discuss U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations on campus, which was not open to the public.
SGA concluded their meeting with the second readings of several bills. KSAS Senator Daarian Rouhani presented the Board of Directors Amendment, which aims to create a place for SGA committee chairs to convene and discuss initiatives. The bill passed unanimously.
Huang then presented the Mental Health SNACK Packs Bill, which aims to secure funding for snacks and face masks for a Student Well-being event. The bill passed unanimously. Huang then presented the Chair of Programming Bylaws Amendment, which aims to reduce the responsibilities for the programming chair. The bill passed unanimously.
Huang then presented a SGA Constitution update, which aims to close SGA executive board and the Committee on Internal Affairs’ meetings. The update was contested by several members in a moderated caucus. Sophomore Class Senator Jazzlyn Fernandez stated that closing meetings directly after a lawsuit regarding transparency could send the wrong message to the student body. After discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of Huang’s proposal, members voted 19–12 to table the bill for edits and reconsider. The Chair of Programming amendments within the bill were voted on and passed 29–2.
The meeting concluded with a second reading of the Voter Turnout Bill, which aims to encourage student body participation in SGA elections. The bill will establish a tabling on election day, April 8, and provide providing the first 240 people who show they voted with a Krispy Kreme donut. The bill passed.
Buse Koldas is the Voices editor for The News-Letter. She was not involved in the writing of this article.
