SGA announces updates on the Hopkins Student Center's construction

The Student Government Association (SGA) held its weekly general meeting on Sept. 12 to discuss the Joy on Wheels Cart Funding Bill, Phi Delta Theta Crab Fest Funding Bill, Academic Senators Bylaw Bill and updates on the Hopkins Student Center.

Junior Class President Resham Talwar presented the Joy on Wheels Cart Funding Bill, which plans to place a cart with games, recreational items and arts and crafts supplies near Malone Hall with the aim of increasing student bonding on campus.

• Talwar clarified that the cart would be a one-time investment for now, but they will monitor student response.
• The bill was referred to finance.

School of Engineering Senator Sabour Shaik presented the Phi Delta Theta Crab Fest Funding Bill with Phi Delta Theta Representative Maahi Ameer, asking SGA to fund a crab fest that would take place on Oct. 7, during Young Alumni and Family Weekend.

• Sophomore Class Senator Srigouri Oruganty asked about the number of attendees at last year’s event, as this proposal aims for 300–350 participants. Ameer responded that a crab fest was attempted last year but fell through due to a lack of funding and logistical issues regarding COVID-19.
• President Ryan Chou questioned whether profit for SGA is allowed and said that, if allowed, the projected profit for SGA should be calculated before passing the bill. It was clarified that SGA cannot profit from events it invests in.
• Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American (APIDA) Caucus Senator Daniel Park stated that, because there is currently no exact estimate of attendees, it would be difficult to give the requested budget of $3,750. 
• President of the Senate Dalhart Dobbs offered to fund the bill with a lower budget. The fraternity will need to show high interest in the event from tickets sold on HopkinsGroups to request additional funding.
• School of Arts and Sciences Senator Jaden Garcia suggested amending the budget to $2,000, which will provide 16 bushels of crabs. The amendment was passed unanimously.
• The bill passed unanimously.

School of Arts & Sciences Senator Timothy Huang and Talwar discussed the modifications to the Academic Senators Bylaw Bill.

• Changes include an increase in the number of academic senators on the Committee of Academic Affairs. The role of academic senators will be expanded to meet with the deans twice a year to discuss goals and to report progress on initiatives.

Dobbs, Chou and Vice President Jackson Morris announced that the construction of the Hopkins Student Center, which was planned to open at the beginning of the 2024–2025 school year, will be delayed due to mountainous regions found underneath the building site. The Hopkins Student Center is now expected to open in January 2025.

• Advisor Charles Norman stated that the “construction of the Student Center will be delayed because they did not take into account that they had to actually drill into rock to build a foundation.”
• The Milton S. Eisenhower Library (MSE) will be closing in May of 2024 to allow for construction, but Brody Learning Commons will still be open. The group discussed holding another discussion in the future to work toward solutions for students while the MSE is unavailable.

 Resham Talwar is a former Finance Chair and a current contributing writer for The News-Letter. She did not contribute to the reporting, writing or editing of this article.