On Tuesday, September 15 the Hopkins Student Government Association (SGA) convened for their fourth weekly general body meeting (GBM) of the academic year.
The meeting began with a presentation from the SGA Judiciary Committee outlining their responsibilities. The five-member court, which currently contains two vacancies, reviews formal complaints, interprets SGA governing documents, issues binding decisions and serves as the final avenue of appeal for SGA matters. It also hears appeals of election rulings issued by the Committee on Student Elections.
Civic Engagement Committee Chair Jackson Morris presented a comprehensive view of the U.S. Department of Education’s recent “National Call to Action" with the hope that the SGA can make an informed decision about whether the issue is important enough to act on. The letter, sent by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to U.S. university presidents on August 3, asks universities to publish a statement by the end of 2026 addressing seven topics: transparency and merit in admissions, free speech and open inquiry, intellectual pluralism and academic vitality, affordability and student outcomes, academic rigor in the age of artificial intelligence, protection of research from foreign influences and the prioritization of U.S. interests.
Morris acknowledged that many of the letters' stated goals, such as protecting open debate and tuition transparency, were worthwhile. However, he was concerned about the final two questions regarding foreign influence and U.S. exceptionalism as well as their potential implications for international and immigrant members of the Hopkins community. “While the words ‘international’ and ‘immigrant’ do not appear in this letter, it is impossible to ignore [them] in the context of this administration’s attacks on U.S. citizens and limits on noncitizen and international student enrollment, work authorization and subsequent residency and citizenship,” Morris said.
Morris argued that the University’s response will be better and much more representative of the community if students play a role in crafting it. After discussion, members proposed meeting with the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost, conducting an undergraduate survey and contacting registered student organization (RSO) leaders to gather opinions. SGA did not reach a formal decision on the issue during this meeting. Morris offered to serve as the point of contact for members interested in developing a more concrete action plan to be voted on.
Following this discussion, SGA passed a bill for a prospective student organization fair on October 2 on the Beach. The event will give proposed organizations an opportunity to recruit members needed to apply for recognition. Organizers plan to invite more than 200 students who attended information sessions about creating new organizations, and provide ice cream at the fair. Senators also passed the Accountability Act, which changes attendance and accountability procedures for SGA members.
Senator Mamadou Thiam introduced a bill requesting partial funding for Phi Delta Theta’s fourth annual Crab Fest during Family Weekend. Fraternity Representative Reagan Sam claimed the event served over 500 people last year and usually raises about $10,000 for the LiveLikeLou Foundation, which supports amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. Some senators’ were skeptical of the event, noting that 12 bushels of crabs remained after last year’s event.
Lastly, public member Sean Durkis-Dervogne proposed the Budget Reporting Act. The bill would require the treasurer to publish a more detailed summary of SGA’s spending each semester. The reports would break spending down by RSO and expense categories without identifying the allocation received by every individual organization.
