JHU SGAThe 114th Session
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Senate General Body Meeting #20 — Minutes (02/17/26)

Minutes / Senate · minutes · 113th session · dated February 17, 2026 · updated February 18, 2026

Filed in Drive as “MINUTES of Senate GBM #20”

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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 #20

February 17th, 2026 / 07:00 PM / BSC 404

MINUTES

  1. Call to Order and Attendance (1 min)

    1. Absentees:
      1. Excused: Andrew Gao
      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
        1. Student elections happening soon
        2. Ongoing convos about admin stances on proposed ICE initiatives, can meet with exec afterwards to discuss further
      2. Student Body Vice President - Omotara Tiamiyu
        1. Next week: having a meeting in open discussion on the 3rd
      3. Secretary - Sumire Sumi
        1. Pictures taken during retreat not ready yet
        2. Please confirm with Sumi after meeting to confirm speed dating experience
  6. Pictures Images
    1. Treasurer - Imad Ahmed
      1. Chair of Programming - Tyler Turner
      2. President of the Senate - Srigouri Oruganty
        1. Request to use Teams, make sure bills are in editable documents when sent to exec
        2. Many people not at the retreat without reason
    2. Advisor Report (2 min)
      1. No updates.
  7. Non-Legislative Business (30 min)
    1. Spring Election Discussion
      1. Information sessions are this week, mandatory for running for SGA office
      2. Eligibility candidate forms sent out on the 22nd, campaigning starts on the 24th
      3. Motion to open a 10 minute moderated caucus
      4. Kirsten pointed out that the short notice was unprofessional and inquired the reason behind.
      5. Felix responded that CSE is appointed by the Judiciary branch and the reason behind the short notice was because of some coordination issues with CSE members.
      6. Srigouri mentioned discussion on why people aren’t running for CSE, reasoning that members of CSE were not acting enthusiastic about SGA. She asked how that will be changed.
      7. Felix responded that information sessions can not be the sole reason why there is low turnout, and also stated CSE members have been conversed with in order to make sure it does not happen again
      8. Caraline inquired if there will be make-up info sessions for those who cannot make it.
      9. Felix advised those candidates to reach out to CSE for make-up info session details.
      10. Kevin asked why the election timing had been pushed back to after spring break when a different precedent has been set. He also requested to look back on previous information sessions to gather data on participation.
      11. Felix responded on 1) for timelines, CSE students are also full time students so it is important to consider them, and they are following previous procedure as closely as possible
      12. Peter asked why the election is held in the middle of the semester.
      13. Felix responded: CSE elections are held in such manner that they need to be held during the middle of the semester
      14. Tarini asked for more emphasis that SGA members need to dedicate at least 2 hours per week to meetings, and that email headings need to be more clear.
      15. Point of info: elections need to be held by the end of April, not March
      16. Sean pointed out that the short notice of this election affects the current on-going bills and initiatives. He also asked for better communications from CSE.
      17. Srigouri clarified that the current senate continues until April.
      18. Motion to extend the moderated caucus for 3 minutes.
      19. Sean brought up concern on not being able to qualify for elections due to miscommunication
      20. Jessica advised the senate to CC Jessica when emailing CSE.
      21. Kirsten emphasized on how the senate can help CSE better communicate with the student body.
      22. Point of information: CSE agenda can be modified, CSE can bring up new rules and the Senate can approve them. Interfering with CSE in any way during elections is unconstitutional
      23. Tanisha suggested current SGA senators can help advertise the election for the future.
    2. Confirmation of CSE members
      1. Felix confirmed there will be 4 vacancies for the next academic year.
      2. Felix: No one is on CSE as of right now. Due to failure to reappoint members for this academic year,
      3. Motion for a 10 minute moderate caucus
      4. Kirsten noted confirming CSE members now shortly before the election is not ideal.
      5. Felix emphasized that the reappointment of these members is important as returning members are necessary.
      6. Sean stated that all past elections is invalid due to lack of CSE members, and that the current election is also invalid.
      7. Jessica announced that LEED and Judiciary and CSE will be discussing the timeline.
      8. Shreeman: appoint only 2 for this election cycle and that reflecting retrospectively on past actions of CSE is an unnecessary action
      9. Jason asked for clarification that CSE and Jessica will meet to clarify and discuss current issues.
      10. Jazz stated it was jarring to receive the election timeline email and stated it made sense to push back the timeline. Also asked for clarity on confirming CSE members for this cycle.
      11. Tarini suggested moving the CSE confirmation timeline to not overlap with the election.
      12. Motion to extend the moderated caucus was passed.
      13. Sid suggested having CSE confirmation first and having electrons in April and pushing inauguration.
      14. Kirten suggested confirming the two members of CSE for reappointment for 2025-2026 academic year.
      15. Felix responded that the Judiciary has not reviewed the language of 1 year term appointment.
      16. Jessica advised having the CSE members to attend next week’s GBM.
      17. A motion for 5 minutes recess was enforced by PoS Srigouri.
      18. A motion to request CSE to postpone the election to after spring break was passed.
    3. Credit Overloading Survey - Chair Kevin
  8. Kevin gave an update on their survey. He addressed that KSAS students are subject to this credit overloading survey.
  9. Kai explained that the survey will be sent out in the future. The survey is already approved by the admin.
    1. Finance Committee Survey Questions - Chair Amy
      1. Amy announced that some questions were disapproved by the admin thus the event is likely to be postponed.
      2. A motion for a moderated caucus for 3 minutes was passed.
      3. Veda asked if the survey questions must be approved by the admin.
      4. Srigouri clarified that these do not need to be reviewed since this is for an event.

  10. First Reading (20 min)

    1. JHU Student Services February Tabling Funding Bill Spring 2026 - Chair Jason
  11. Jason presented his bill for the February tabling event to directly collect feedback from students.
  12. A motion to refer to finance was passed.
  13. Point of info: should be done by February, reply was it depends on how long finance takes
  14. Point of information: agreement with the fact that it will take at least 2-3 weeks.
    1. JHU Umbrella Loaner Funding Bill Spring 2026 - Chair Jason
      1. Spring season brings rainy weather, many people may not have quick access to umbrellas
      2. A motion for a 5 minutes moderated caucus was passed.
      3. Tanisha inquired how they will track the umbrellas and ensure correct identification. She suggested it would be fruitful if this can be collaborated with a preexisting university service.
      4. Amy asked how they will address broken umbrellas.
      5. Jason responded that he ensured the umbrellas he chose can tolerate 80 mil/h.
      6. Tyler asked to maybe start an umbrella giveaway instead of starting a new program, Jason responded that other orgs could do that
      7. Anisha asked where the umbrellas would be stored, Jason responded they would be stored in the SGA closet which has space. Requested collaboration with the Rec or BSC in order to bring more structure to program
      8. Kirsten seconded Anisha’s point, Jason responded that the Rec and BSC have not responded as of right now
      9. Jibola asked about a time frame on umbrella loans, Jason stated they were for short term such as for emergency or when people are waiting on amazon orders
    2. Course Transparency Funding Bill - Senator Seán
      1. The old course guide included information on students and their opinions of current professors and their courses.
      2. Detailed course distributions: shared percentages of people that got which grade. Previous editions would have no privacy.
      3. Student-run program
      4. Through survey, more than 90% of people said they would utilize and support such program
      5. Process: website that scans transcript and removes any identifiers for student, only leaves grades and credits on transcript. Data is deleted after minimum amount is extracted
      6. Very minimal funding bill. Costs approx. $30 to run a pilot program
      7. SGA would need to have a website that they can control (unlike the current SGA website which is controlled by Hopkins Groups)
      8. Timeline for action items: program sent out to everyone next week, published in March.
      9. Point of information: look into vendor needed, JHU has vendor licensing so bill will be needed to put on hold. She also brought up FERPA laws. Sean clarified the form contained FERPA waiver choices. Also stated website is transparent in terms of information that is being collected and sent
      10. Motion for 10 minute moderate
      11. Kevin asked how measures were to be taken in order to ensure safety of the program. Sean responded that the program has been run through by several people and that they affirmed
      12. Tarini stated that the majority of the survey participants were taking required classes which distribution is needed, also stated that collected data could be misleading and cause unhealthy reactions among the student body. Sean responded that the program would not be harmful and that it only displays above or below a certain standard. Tarini also brought up the fact that students can contact their academic advisors to know grade distributions for classes. Sean responded that the program was to increase transparency. Tarini asked if it is possible to roll out the program by the timeline in the bill. Sean responded the goal for now is to get the program approved. Tarini also stated it would be easier and more reliable if it were an independent project
      13. Vishu raised concerns on the timeline and how fast approval would be needed. He advised Sean to go to the academic deans for more advice and also to be more flexible on timelines. Sean responded that the deans were not interested in pursuing program as an official JHU project
      14. Motion for 10 minute moderation with 1 minute Q & A
      15. Tara stated due to student body culture this program will not be utilized in the way Sean intends. Also brought up that SGA and JHU by extension will be held liable and that she personally would not be comfortable with this. Sean responded that existing ways of getting information are not reliable and transparent enough.
      16. Kirsten brought up the process of bureaucracy and liability concerns. Sean responds to the way the current code is set up in a very straightforward way, and that IT may go over the code.
      17. Anisha brought up concern of sampling bias and stated that published stats will be a true reflection of the Student body, having the wrong data published is more harmful than no data. Sean responded that
      18. Peter stated that he is not sure that the data would be accurate.
      19. Shrika added on to what Peter stated, smaller classes may have extremely skewed data. Sean, responding to Skrika and Peter, stated that data will be posed in such a way that it is above/below B.
      20. Veda stated it would be best if it were through a platform with all Hopkins transcripts available which is not the best option as of right now, and that it would be better pursued as a personal project. Sean responded that the program will be completely unofficial and that he will be the only one interacting with the code.
      21. Point of info: finance committee has precedence in terms of this bill, motion to pass to finance committee. Roll call vote required. Motion fails 4-10
        1. Yay: Kevin, Siddarth, Amy, Jaden
        2. Nay: Tanisha, Sahvna, Tarini, Caraline, Anisha, Peter, Juan, Sajiv, Alan, Shrika
        3. Abstain: Kirsten, Jazz, Jason, Jibola, Peter, Paul, Kai, Honora, Ryan, Tola, Zoe, Jacquelin, Rebecca, Isaac, Veda
      22. Motion to keep in first reading for next week. Amy nay
    3. Academic Affairs Spring Tabling - Chair Kevin
      1. Expect to be March 2nd
      2. Getting a prize wheel along with some prizes, total bill is expected to depend on which plushie is chosen (blue jay)
      3. Motion to second bill to finance. Passed.
  15. Second Reading (10 min)
    1. Fast with JHUMA - Senator Mamadou
      1. Amy presented for Mamadou due to Ramadan.
      2. JHUMA is having a large dinner on campus, open to everyone. Food sponsors are part of the religious department of JHU.
      3. Motion to pass bill completely.
    2. Jay-Fila-Funding Bill - Chair Tyler
      1. BSC tabling event with Chick-fil-a provided. Also an opportunity to speak with senators
      2. Motion for 5 minute moderation session. Veda Honora Jaden opposed.
      3. Kirsten asked for clarification
      4. Tanisha stated cookies can be sourced from a different vendor, but mac n cheese is a better option.
      5. Jibola stated that cookies and brownies ran out at a previous event and stated that the cookies would be a better option over mac and cheese.
      6. Amy asked what time the event was at. Tyler said 12-1:30
      7. Jason 1) asked to make sure committees can actually show up before the date is confirmed, asked Tyler to send out a for to figure out availability in order SGA can be represented properly at the event. Tyler stated the date is based on Tyler and Exec’s current availability. Jason stated that it would be best that in the spirit of the event that all committees are represented.
      8. Conclusion: cookies will be sourced from other vendor, current bill will be sustained
      9. Point of info: Jibola asked if cookies have to be sourced from somewhere else, Tyler said that can be changed.
      10. The maximum amount finance would be willing to allow for the bill is around $2400. Committee passed to add $239
      11. Bill passed.
      12. Last announcement by Jazz: her committee will meet with all RSOs, contact Jazz if you want to be involved
      13. Request to fill out the when2meet
  16. Cohort Time (30 min)
    1. Initiatives

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.