SGA discusses It’s on Us and “WTF”

The Student Government Association (SGA) welcomed its freshman class president and senators at the organization’s meeting Tuesday night.

The Executive Board moved on with its report of It’s On Us Hopkins and announced that it would draft a plan by Oct. 23. It’s On Us is a national project to promote men’s activism against sexual assault. The SGA’s contribution to the microcosm of this campaign at Hopkins will include a public service video. University President Ronald J. Daniels agreed to be in the video.

Members of other committees gave their reports on current improvements to Hopkins. The members said that they had been in touch with campus dining services and tried to make sure that recent posts on “WTF Hopkins,” the SGA’s virtual feedback collection system on Facebook, were addressed. Specifically, students complained about vague or absent allergy labels on Hopkins-catered foods.

The senior class council has proposed an increase to credit awards for internships, which currently only yield one credit, while research courses are valued at three credits.

SGA Members also noted the success of the newly opened Bamboo Café in the Mattin Center.

“In the first day, sales tripled [expectations],” Kyra Toomre, executive vice president, said.

New members were elected to the Whiting School Curriculum Committee, including junior Aaron Lerner and sophomores Samantha Wang and Miguel Dias. The members agreed that all candidates were very qualified and approved unanimously to elect all candidates to the committee.

The members additionally proposed events for Blue Jay Pride Week. They suggested that the respective graduating classes pair up for events. The freshman and juniors would host a pizza giveaway for Hopkins related apparel on Nov. 13 in front of Gilman Hall, and the sophomores and seniors would host a dessert giveaway on Nov. 14 for Hopkins spirit wear.

Will Szymanski, the executive treasurer, recommended working with professional film production groups, the Commencement Office and groups on campus to film the events and encourage students to participate in campus events. The SGA is also pursuing partnerships with the Admissions Office to use these publications for future admissions-related media. The SGA members motioned to move the issue to an ad hoc committee.

The SGA also continued to push for higher attendance at Hopkins athletic contests. The members suggested a bill that would allow hot chocolate and apple cider to be served at games as well as the usual beverages, starting with the football game on Nov. 15. For half-time events, the members suggested that they would ask the entertainment groups on campus to perform.

The SGA finished with a discussion of the creation of class banners at events to inform participants of the events’ sponsorship.

“Classes should personally elect this bill,” Janice Bonsu, executive president, said.