The Student Government Association (SGA) held its eleventh general body meeting (GBM) of the 111th session on October 24, 2023.
Cabinet Reports
Student Body President Ryan Chou announced that there will be a meeting with President Daniels, Provost Jayawardhana, and other JHU leadership about discrimination, harassment, and freedom of respectful expression with regards to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East on October 25th. Along with Student Body Vice President Jackson Morris, they are in the process of scheduling meetings with Johns Hopkins Facilities and Real Estate about the Student Center and MSE construction plans. Student Body Treasurer Jenny Chen reported that there is $11,000 left in SGA’s discretionary funds.
Student Body President Ryan Chou announced that there will be a meeting with President Daniels, Provost Jayawardhana, and other JHU leadership about discrimination, harassment, and freedom of respectful expression with regards to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East on October 25th. Along with Student Body Vice President Jackson Morris, they are in the process of scheduling meetings with Johns Hopkins Facilities and Real Estate about the Student Center and MSE construction plans. Student Body Treasurer Jenny Chen reported that there is $11,000 left in SGA’s discretionary funds.
Non-Legislative Business
Dean Chow and Vice Provost Phillips gave a presentation on the admission process. When asked about the recent Supreme Court case on affirmative action, Vice Provost Phillips replied that the “evaluation process does not consider race anymore.” He emphasized life experiences over race, noting that the latter is a constraint in the evaluation process. The Admissions Office plans to continue “race” related criteria and work with partnerships like QuestBridge. Although race will be masked in the review process, they stated that it can still be seen in writings and supplementals. The staff plan to continue traveling throughout the country to recruit students and expand the virtual admissions’ reach to ensure that they diversify the undergraduate student body. They defined diversity to include “cultural, socioeconomic, geographical location” and also considered “intended major as a factor.”
Vice President Jackson Morris announced that the Hopkins Student Center is delayed to Summer 2025. He plans to work with administration for study spaces with MSE closing down soon for 2.5 years. According to KSAS administration, there will be new services next semester to reserve more spaces throughout campus.
Committee/Caucus Updates
The Committee on Finance passed these following funding bills: $239.13 for the Caribbean Cultural Society game night, $328.19 for OLE's Caribbean cultural highlight, $1500 for JHU Kranti for their All-American circuit competition, $1930 for the Hopkins Ballet Company Nutcracker event, $87.67 for the Arab Student Union collaboration event, and $500 for the Japanese American Student Association for their Bento Night.