JHU SGAThe 114th Session
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Senate General Body Meeting #23 — Minutes (03/10/26)

Minutes / Senate · minutes · 113th session · dated March 10, 2026 · updated March 10, 2026

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This document is from a previous session and is kept for the record. It may have been amended or replaced since.

113th Johns Hopkins Student Government Association

Senate Meeting #23

March 10th, 2026 / 07:00 PM / BSC 404

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order and Attendance (1 min)

    1. Absentees:
      1. Excused: Juan Hidrowoh, Ella Chon, Omotola Alaofin, Peter Jackson,
      2. Unexcused:
    2. Present

  2. Convening Business (30 min)

  3. Amendment and Approval of the Agenda (1 min)

  4. Public Input (3 min)

  5. Reports (5 min)

    1. Cabinet Reports (4 min)
      1. Student Body President - Vishnu Dontu
      2. Student Body Vice President - Omotara Tiamiyu
      3. Secretary - Sumire Sumi
        1. Public Safety video got approved, if anyone wants to help out please reach out to Sumi
      4. Treasurer - Imad Ahmed
        1. Survey result
        2. Sophomore garden party was successful
      5. Chair of Programming - Tyler Turner
      6. President of the Senate - Srigouri Oruganty
        1. Would be great if Committee chairs could create a comprehensive summary of the semester
    2. Advisor Report (2 min)

  6. First Reading (20 min)

    1. 2026 Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant Funding Bill - Chair Kirsten (motion to discharge)
      1. Background information given: hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha and is an opportunity for accomplished students to showcase academics and talents, funds generated by the pageant were donated to charity
      2. Motion to discharge committee (pass to second reading), motion passed.
    2. SGA Executive Accountability Act - Chair Kevin
      1. SGA website is currently extremely out of date
      2. According to the Constitution, there is no way for the general SGA body to know if the executive branch is operating properly unless kept a close eye on
      3. Amend the SGA Constitution to include more detailed clauses on maintaining records
      4. Motions to refer to IA, motion passed
    3. April 2026 Nutrition Tabling Funding Bill - Chair Tanisha
      1. HSS wants a nutrition tabling event, there will be a trivia wheel and fruit cups with berries inside them will be given as prizes. Bill is asking for funding for the cups and creative liberties. Total is $160.98
      2. Motion to pass to finance, motion passed.
    4. Course Transperency Act(1).docx - Senator Seán (motion to discharge)
      1. Bill has received widespread support (according to Senator Sean) and the senator believes that it will encourage professors to provide more resources in response to course grades
      2. Addressing concerns: people tend to compare their grades towards their friends and thus this website will not contribute to a negative campus mindset towards grades due to its simplistic data nature, this is a pilot program for a single semester and can be shut down if needed, data can be verified through the registrar, could be used as a chance for people to figure out FAs, implementation can be later and bill is open to changes.
      3. Overall: IT has approved it and the admin has approved it as well
      4. Motion for 5 minute recess, motion passed
      5. Motion for 5 minute moderated caucus
        1. Kevin said that after the bill passes SGA, SGA will ask for professors to share data related to grades and data collection among students will only commence if an insufficient number of professors
        2. Caraline wanted to reiterate that SGA must reconsider the mental health repercussions that will arise from pursuing this act due to the competitive nature of JHU. Sean responded that this may actually help with mental health and encourage JHU students to think that getting a B/B+ in a class is not failing
        3. Jibola asked how the website would tell students that it’s alright for students to get a B. Sean responded that the website shows the percentage of people that got below a B, which may break notions students have about receiving a ‘bad grade’. Jibola also asked why doesn’t SGA get the information directly from admin, Sean replied that it is easier to get a wider breadth of information on a wider range of classes by asking both professors for information and gathering info from students.
        4. Rebecca asked how would this ensure everyone would not feel like they did not well in the class. And why this must be a SGA project instead of his own project.
        5. Tanisha stated that there is a reason why this project was scrapped in the past and that JHU is a highly competitive environment. Sean replied that pre-med students only comprise 25% of the student body and that most students are not aiming for an A or above.
        6. Sid stated that he believes this will cause a positive change in
        7. Motion to extend moderated caucus by 5 minutes, 1 min max speaking time. Motion passed
        8. Motion to discharge to second reading. iClicker vote called, 12–11 (4 abstains) in favor of motion.
    5. JHU Affirmation Kits Funding Bill Spring 2026 - Chair Jason
      1. Crystal from APPT came to speak on behalf of the bill.
      2. SGA would have to provide around $300 in funding, this bill is being pursued in an effort to support campus mental health
      3. Motion to refer to Finance. Motion passed, Jibola abstained.
  7. Non-Legislative Business (30 min)
    1. Student Organization Finance Survey SP26 - Chair Amy
      1. Results on a survey previously sent out last week to RSO leadership. Wanted to amend the finance process, survey was sent out to discern where to start. Amy got 48 responses:
      2. Findings: RSOs value predictability the most (consistency in funding), most RSOs have not met with their faculty advisor to discuss financing (which begs the question how much faculty advisors are actually involved in RSOs), office hours would be the most helpful in terms of support, RSOs tend to be spontaneous but lean more towards planning ahead of time in terms of drafting financial bills, RSOs are better at using event grant allocations, students are leaning more towards dissatisfied in terms of Finance Committee /LEED communication
      3. Motion for 5 min moderated caucus, passed.
        1. Jason stated it would be nice for more communication for people on the bill and on the Finance Committee on what could be adjusted.
        2. Veda asked if it were possible to amend the amount of money allocation guidelines, Amy stated she has also been making an effort to change the guidelines
        3. Kai agreed with Veda, also proposed implementing workshop material into new RSO leader training
        4. Nora stated that the office hours are a good idea
        5. Paul stated it would be better if the guidelines were more concise and concrete, making it easier for RSOs to understand them
        6. Jazz stated that it could be a collaboration between Finance and CSO and they could merge briefly for the purpose of the initiative
    2. Indigenous Studies - Senator Sophia and Senator Honora
      1. CDS is a newer major on campus, Indigenous Studies would be under the umbrella of CDS.
      2. Current state of JHU indigenous acknowledgement: no land acknowledgement by the main university body, no in depth courses offered on American indigenous people.
      3. This matter is important due to the research nature of this school, students deserve access to information and education on indigenous groups
      4. Compared to other peer institutions Johns Hopkins is lacking in terms of available classes, programs, and major/minor track
      5. Proposed changes: send an email to admin that the student body would like to see an expansion of the Indigenous Studies program. This program will ensure greater diversity and foster a deeper breadth of education across campus
      6. Motion for a 5 minute moderated caucus, passed.
        1. Veda wanted to ask if the rarity of the classes were due to a lack of demand. The response was that the classes have been in high demand shown by how related classes have been filled.
        2. Srigouri stated that having more solidified data may be helpful in terms of pushing the project favorably to faculty
        3. Shreeman stated the root of the problem is more of an institutional problem and that he supports this proposal

  8. Second Reading (10 min)

    1. Alumni Meet and Greet Funding Bill - Senator Isaac and President Veda
      1. Coffee from Any Day Now has now been cut from the bill and ADN will be donating Thai tea for the event
      2. Motion to pass, successful
    2. JHU National Sleep Day Funding Bill Spring 2026 - Chair Jason
      1. POI: check with Sumi or PEEP if space is available.
      2. Motion to pass, successful
    3. 2026 Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant Funding Bill - Chair Kirsten
      1. Motion to pass, successful
    4. Course Transperency Act(1).docx - Senator Seán
      1. Motion for an iClicker vote, iClicker 14-10 in favor of passing (2 abstain)

Prospective Legislation & Announcements (5 min)

  • Jazz: her and Kevin met with the dean and are optimistic about the outcome
  • Veda alumni meet and greet event is a week away, please bring freshmen friends
  • Tara: keep an eye out on timeline documents.

Adjournment (Estimated 9:00 PM)

Time-length and adjournment estimates are provided for the benefit of guests at Senate meetings. However, SGA meetings are always slated to extend until 9:00 PM and SGA members are expected to remain in the Senate chamber until official adjournment by motion, whether before or after the adjournment estimate.