JHU SGAThe 114th Session
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Senate General Body Meeting #6 — Minutes (09/16/25)

Minutes / Senate · minutes · 113th session · dated September 16, 2025 · updated September 16, 2025

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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 #6

September 16, 2025 / 07:00 PM / Hackerman B17

MINUTES

  1. Call to Order and Attendance (1 min)

    1. Absentees:
      1. Excused: Mercedes Rend, Juan Hidrowoh, Omotola Alaofin, Siddarth Dhadi, Karen Velazquez Luna
      2. Unexcused: Haden Gilley
    2. Present

  2. Convening Business (1 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
  6. VP Omotara presented the SGA initiative tracker google form.
    1. Secretary - Sumire Sumi
      1. Treasurer - Imad Ahmed
      2. Chair of Programming - Tyler Turner
  7. Tyler celebrated Blue Jay Tuesday. He informed the blue jay game day happening this Saturday.
    1. President of the Senate - Srigouri Oruganty
    2. Advisor Report (2 min)
  8. Jessica reported the freshman election period is starting with the information session being held tonight.
  9. In terms of RSO, it is still under the process with the registration, LEED, SGA, and other higher general councils.

  10. First Reading (5 min)

    1. Academic Affairs Tabling Bill - Senator Kevin
  11. AA committee chair Kevin presented the funding bill for the committee tabling event. Kevin intends to integrate some AA committee initiatives into programming tabling events to represent the committee. The event will involve academic questionnaires and prize wheel. There is a concern that the requested materials won’t be ready in time for the event on September 26th.
  12. Amy motioned for 5 minutes recess for the finance committee to discuss this bill. Motion was passed.
  13. 8 members of the academic committee approved the AA bill and Pancake bill to second reading. It was approved by the senate.
    1. Pancake Bill - Chair of Programming Tyler

  14. Second Reading (5 min)

    1. Academic Affairs Tabling Bill - Senator Kevin
  15. Motion for 10 minutes moderated caucus was passed.
  16. Amy expressed that the finance committee is concerned about the timeline of the bill.
  17. Paul inquired if the materials won’t come in time if the AA has any plans.
  18. Jaden asked if the materials can be personally ordered.
  19. Srigouri responded that personal purchases are no longer redeemable by SGA.
  20. Kevin added that the 2 weeks timeline is worth the attempt. He also indicated if the materials don’t come in time AA is open to provide them for other committee’s events or they will be reused for another AA event.
  21. Kirsten expressed her concern on pens being the prize affecting the students participation in the event.
  22. Kevin responded there were other ideas such as legos, T shirts and plushies, and asked for other input.
  23. Steven suggested substituting these materials with other items such as candies. He inquired Jessica if the candies must be bought online. Jessica responded it is preferred to have items bought online for reimbursement.
  24. Tyler suggested removing the spin wheel from the bill and changing the prize system to feedback based.
  25. Jessica informed items that are available in book storesstores can be ordered online as well.
    1. Pancake Bill - Chair of Programming Tyler
  26. Tyler informed that the Hopkins Dining will be sending emails about the pancake tabling. He presented the bill to the senate.
  27. Motion for 5 minutes moderated caucus was passed.
  28. Steven asked the reason behind the change from egos to pancake flour and how that would affect the price.
  29. Tyler responded there will be about $400 increase in price.
  30. Jazzlyn asked if AA wants to work more in conjunction with the programming. She suggested making syrup as an incentive for the feedback.
  31. Amy expressed how the pancake cost was initially covered by LEED, but as it is now a collaboration with Hopkins Dining, if SGA has to cover the cost.
  32. Tyler responded Hopkins Dining will cover the cost and it will be cut back to $160.
  33. Ava inquired if the plastic containers can be replaced with more reusable ones.
  34. Tyler will reach out to Hopkins dining on this matter.
  35. Tanisha asked about their plans in case the materials will not come in time.
  36. Tyler answered it will be only pancakes provided.
    1. Academic Affairs Tabling Bill - Senator Kevin
  37. Kevin presented amended bills with plushies and reduced cost.
  38. Motion for 5 minutes moderated caucus was passed.
  39. Kirsten suggested putting the cost for pens aside and asking other departments to donate pens.
  40. Srigouri suggested reducing the bill to be under $187.32
  41. Jessica asked to check with Tim about the location of the SGA prize wheel.
  42. Motion to pass the bill for $187.32 was passed.
    1. Board of Directors Amendment - Senator Kevin
  43. Kevin motioned to table the bill indefinitely. Motion was passed.
  44. Non-Legislative Business (30 min)
    1. Civic Engagement Committee Updates - Chair Kirsten
  45. Kirsten presented the initiative to increase J-cash printing. Given that some classes require all printing policies, $4 is simply not adequate for the semester.
  46. Alen expressed that students from different majors and grades had the same concerns about printing money running out in the first week.
  47. Kirsten presented in person alumni interview initiatives.
  48. SNF Agora is providing funding up to $10,000 to the civic engagement committee for collaborative events with any student organizations.
  49. Caraline added they are thinking about reaching out to HOP to invite political speakers to campus. They are also interested in reaching out to political organizations on Hopkins campus to initiate an event and engageevent and encourage students to engage in political discussion.
  50. Ava suggested utilizing social media to increase student engagement in general such as JHMI interviews, almost SGA Sunday, and alternating instagram posts for each committee.
  51. Motion for 5 minutes moderated caucus was passed.
  52. Kevin informed the CE committee that these political organizations are hosting discussion events this weekend and suggested they check out their events.
  53. Kevin also asked if the representatives of committees will be posting or the DoC will be in charge of the posts.
  54. Kirsten replied the social media posts will be based on each committee’s interest.
  55. Vishnu informed the CE committee to reach out to Gram and he will support the initiatives along with the CE. He also addressed that there will be additional meetings required with higher level deans. Secondly, Vishnu asked if any of the CE committee members were willing to be in charge of creating the contents and sending them to DoC. Thirdly, Vishnu provided information on point person for alumni interviews initiatives.
  56. Amy suggested making alumni interviews more publicized and open to the student body through marketing online.
  57. Zaynab suggested collaborating with bridge JHU for the dividing street interviews to different committees based on the question interests. Agora event.
  58. Cohort Time (15 min)
    1. Initiative Based Activity - President Srigouri

Prospective Legislation & Announcements (5 min)

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.