This week’s SGA update is brought to you by Bwog’s Brand New Barnard Bearoness, Raji Ganapathy, in the hopes of proper constitutional changes, successfully completed surveys, and responsible alcohol usage.
This Monday at SGA headquarters in the Diana Center, I sat down with the Representative Council for the first time to record and write about Barnard’s student government happenings. A major issue on the agenda was Barnard’s impending Constitutional Review. Every three years, the SGA revises its constitution through an ad hoc committee. This year, that committee is headed by Michelle Depardieu, Vice President of Policy. The revision process allows for SGA committees, as well as members of the student body, to submit amendments to the constitution. The revised constitution will be put to a vote around the time of election season.
SGA also plans to take a more active role in the formation of future winter housing policies, following the winter housing mishap earlier this year. President Shivani Vikuntam stated during the meeting that SGA hopes to open the process of formulating the winter housing policy to the student body, gathering their input before making any serious changes like the one seen this year.
In other external updates:
- “Barnard Night” is scheduled for Sunday, February 28th. The event, which will be held during a Columbia Women’s Basketball game against Penn, celebrates Barnard women on Columbia’s athletic teams. The catch? There are no Barnard women currently on Columbia’s basketball team, a conundrum described by Representative for College Relations Angela Beam as “problematic.”
- Want to rant about course eval notifications flooding your inbox? The Engineering Student Council (ESC) has created a survey open to all four schools. The survey will close on February 7th.
- Barnard seniors: make sure to fill out the form confirming that you will be walking at commencement. Barnard College’s graduation will be on May 17th, the day before University graduation.
- Senior Class President Arpi Youssoufian stated during the meeting that people who attend Lerner Pub on Thursday night will not be allowed to attend Glasshouse Rocks afterwards, since “alcohol and bouncy castles don’t mix.” Plan accordingly! Also, volunteer at Glass House Rocks or be one of the first people there to score a free t-shirt, designed by Alex Rosales (BC ’18).
- Want to get more involved in student government? There are open positions for SGA, even on the Representative Council! Applications for Sophomore Class VP are due on February 4th at 11:00PM. Several committees are also looking for members. Applications for these positions are accepted on a rolling basis. All applications can be found on the SGA website!