JHU SGAThe 114th Session
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Senate General Body Meeting #8 — Minutes (09/30/25)

Minutes / Senate · minutes · 113th session · dated September 30, 2025 · updated December 2, 2025

Filed in Drive as “Minutes of Senate GBM #8”

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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 #8

September 30, 2025 / 07:00 PM / Hackerman B17

MINUTES

  1. Call to Order and Attendance (1 min)

    1. Absentees:
      1. Excused: Kirsten Amematsro, Paul Woo, Steven Amanat, Jaden Garcia, Tanisha Taneja
      2. Unexcused: Mercedes Rend
    2. Present

  2. Convening Business (20 min)

    1. Presentation and Discussion with Vice Provost Hernandez and Dean of Students Dr. Brown introduced themselves to the Senate.
  3. VPSA Ms. Hernandez and Dr. Brown introduced themselves to the senate body.
  4. VPSA Ms. Hernandez shared her experience at Hopkins and shared the Student Affairs office’s intention and willingness to listen to student voices.
  5. She indicated that the student conduct code is reviewed and updated every sumer. Two new policies include no masking policy with exceptions for religious purposes and illness. The intention is to ensure that people on the campus are not masking themselves to hide their identity, thus students can see and ensure safety around everyone on campus. They also amended the self identification policy that if any university official were to ask for a person’s identity, the officials must introduce themselves first. She also noted that students must ensure that their guests also abide with the university policies. The other policy focuses on on-campus poster policy. Students may not tear down or cover other people’s posters. Student affairs office amended the policy to increase clarity that any posters on Hopkins are subject to the policy.
  6. Senator Ava inquired if the event was passed, if students are allowed to take them down.
  7. Ms. Hernandez responded that students are responsible for taking down any passed events of their own organizations, but if you witness any passed event posters students can reach out to the office of Student affairs.
  8. The Student Affairs office sent out a message about religious accommodation observation. The IFC website also includes a calendar with religious holidays.
  9. Dr. Brown encouraged students to proactively apply for religious accommodations in advance so communications between faculties and students are smooth.
  10. Ms. Hernandez also noted the religious accommodation process is coherent with other organizations.
  11. Ms. Hernandez asked for feedback on the Student Center.
  12. Senator Caraline expressed the need for more decorations in the BSC.
  13. Ms. Hernandez responded that the furniture and decorations are being worked on with her team.
  14. Tarini asked for on-time updates when new rooms open or furniture is added.
  15. Alan asked if the reflection room is public or private.
  16. Ms. Hernandez answered that the reflection room is intended to be open for students all the time.
  17. Emin also expressed that jay cards do not work on multiple doors in BSC.
  18. Zaynab expressed that some censors for lights do not work in rooms as well and hooks are not installed.
  19. Alan expressed his struggle with finding outlets in BSC.
  20. Ms. Hernandez answered there will be tower outlets coming in.
  21. Dr. Brown explained how IFC has been renovated. There are prayer rooms, but also the space is open for music performance purposes as well. Evolution station is being implemented in IFC spaces. This space has been worked on in collaboration with students voices and Dr. Brown is excited for it to open.
  22. Rebecca asked if the WiFi quality has been discussed among Student Affairs as well.
  23. Ms. Hernandez responded it will be worked on with the IT team.
  24. Ms. Hernandez noted that the academic support office is now placed in the LaB.
  25. Caroline asked if the current PILOT leader office will be moved to the Lab soon.
  26. Ms. Hernandez replied it is being worked on as of right now. The Lab serves as a study session space.
  27. The Student Affairs office is planning a sophomore September where second year students are celebrated.
  28. Student affairs is also focusing on student community engagement and feedback. The office is planning events as an opportunity to gain feedback from the student body.
  29. Dr. Brown presented a blue jay dialogue initiative. The initiative will involve a constructive dialogue institute where student leaders will receive training, Hop Talks is where students can share their information with their community, democracy day is continued to be highlighted to remind the student body and have an opportunity to think about what democracy is.
  30. Student blue jay dialogue innovation fund is an opportunity for student organizations to win up to $10,000 for dialogue initiatives.
  31. Motion for 10 minutes moderated caucus was passed.
  32. Tyler asked about the timeline and details of the innovation fund.
  33. Dr. Brown responded that the decision of the winner will be made in Fall (October 15th deadline for application), and the fund will be available in Spring.
  34. PoS Srigouri asked about how SGA can be the asset for the administrator to streamline and communicate these updates to the student body.
  35. Dr. Brown responded that the development of these streamlines and which information can be shared can be discussed during the Executive meeting in detail.
  36. Omotara asked if there is any way SGA can help collect student feedbacks and if there is any topics administrators are looking for.m
  37. Ms. Hernandez responded the Student Affairs are looking for more managed and targeted feedback with as small number of surveys possible.
  38. Alan asked if there can be a system implemented to monitor the crowdedness of the BSC.
  39. Dr. Brown asked the SGA to ensure that the Student Center is a space for students to engage and socialize instead of another library.
  40. Tarini asked if the university could sponsor performing arts students organizations funds.
  41. Ms. Hernandez responded this will be discussed among Student Affairs officers.
  42. Dr. Charles introduced himself to the Senate.

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

  44. Public Input (3 min)

  45. 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

Attendance policy reminder

  1. Treasurer - Imad Ahmed
    1. Chair of Programming - Tyler Turner Poll for the DC retreat trip was conducted.
      1. President of the Senate - Srigouri Oruganty
    2. Advisor Report (2 min)

  2. First Reading (5 min)

    1. RSO Committee Spotlight Fridays Funding Bill - Chair Jazzlyn
  3. Jazzlyn presented her slides on Spotlight Fridays. 1-2 Fridays of each moths will be spotlight friday where one of the RSo section student organizations can collaborate to sponsor the spotlight friday.
  4. The incentive will be that if the student got to go to all 12 spotlight events then they are able to win prize.
  5. The intention of the spotlight Fridays is to promote school spirit and student engagement.
  6. The bill was moved to finance committee.

  7. Second Reading (10 min)

    1. Fall Rooftop Barbeque Funding Bill and Presentation - Senator Mamadou
  8. Mamadou noted the logistics are still being discussed.
  9. The motion to table this event until more clarification is presented was passed.
    1. National Day of Failure Tabling Bill - Chair Kirsten and Chair Tyler
  10. Tyler presented the updated bill with the new total bill being $500.
  11. A motion to pass the bill was passed.
  12. Non-Legislative Business (10 min)
    1. RSO Committee Updates - Chair Jazzlyn
  13. Cohort Time (30 min)
    1. Preparing for Dining, SHWB, and Scheduling & Event Services Administrators - 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.