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JHU Student Government
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Campus Affairs Committee Update
DID NOT MEET this week due to inclement weather.
Updates on Projects:
Off-Campus Housing Database: meeting scheduled with housing officials to get the ball rolling on this as soon as the snow stops!
Admitted Student Programming: lunch with admissions administration officials on monday 2/15 to discuss plans
J-Card Donation System: waiting on the director of J-card services to return my call, should be able to set something up soon to get a passive system for J-cash donations set up at various dining locations on campus.
Pricing Study: Follow-up meeting with dave is on the way, but many of our goals with this project have already been achieved.
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Academic Affairs Committee - 1/25/10 |
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Meeting: Jan 25th, 2010
Committee Chair: Dea Lovy
Members Present: Tim Miller, Arjun Kapur, Alexandra Larsen, Nicky DePaul, Nick Gilson
Members Absent:
Items Discussed:
WELCOME BACK !
Committee Meetings to be held weekly following SGA meetings at 8:30pm in Mason Hall
Professor-Student dinners
-Tim met with Dean Burger
-On hold for time being; current programs in place have shown great improvement and potential
Assignments during reading period
-List compiled of policy breaches during Fall 2009 reading period
-Letter to be drafted detailing compiled student responses and committee recommendations
-Recipient of letter? Deans + Curriculum Committee
-Letter to be approved by SGA at next meeting 2/2
Action Steps:
Alexandra- Complete list of finals/homework with course numbers, names, and Professors
Dea- Draft letter on google docs
All- Edit draft letter once available to committee
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S.R 6 - Weather Policy Resolution |
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S.R 6 - Resolution about Inclement Weather Protocol
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A Resolution Regarding University Policies with respect to Inclement Weather
S.R-6
- WHEREAS, the decision to cancel classes and close the Johns Hopkins University lies with Provost Lloyd Minor, with the counsel of others including Plant Operations.
- WHEREAS, there is no clear policy regarding inclement weather on the Johns Hopkins University’s webpage of policies (http://webapps.jhu.edu/jhuniverse/administration/minutes_policies_reports/policies/).
- WHEREAS, in light of the recent winter storm, the Johns Hopkins University was scheduled to remain open until an email was sent out by Dennis O’Shea, Executive Director of Communication and Public Affairs at 6:49 AM Monday, February 8.
- WHEREAS, the Johns Hopkins University was the only institution of higher education open in Baltimore City and County until Mr. O’Shea’s email announced the closing, despite warnings from various government officials, including Governor Martin O’Malley who noted that since the sidewalks had not been cleared; which posed an extreme hazard to both drivers and pedestrians.
- WHEREAS, the Student Government Association (hereafter “SGA”) issued a letter to President Ronald J. Daniels and Provost Minor expressing its discontent with the University’s decision to remain open (http://www.jhusga.com/documents/153-sga-letter-regarding-university-opening).
- WHEREAS, the SGA as the representative body of the undergraduates is concerned with the safety of the undergraduates.
- THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the SGA is strongly concerned with the timing of the Johns Hopkins University's decision (at 6:49 AM) as well as its contradictory nature. The decision to close was made because the JHMI shuttle service was disabled, however, a later emergency alert notified the public that the shuttle service would run on the Saturday schedule.
- THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the SGA believes that there should be a clear university policy or protocol regarding inclement weather that may potentially affect the safety of the undergraduates and that any notice of delay or cancellation be communicated in a timely manner.
- THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the SGA would like to communicate and work with Provost Minor and other university administrators to establish a clearer university policy regarding inclement weather and working towards a permanent policy.
- THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, a copy of this resolution shall be sent to Dean Boswell, Dean of Student Life; Dean Burger, Dean of Undergraduate Education; Dean Adam Falk, James B. Knapp Dean of the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences; and Provost Lloyd B. Minor.
It is so ordered.
Sponsor: Affan Sheikh
Co-sponsors: Jake Meth, Dea Lovy
Committee: N/A
Vote: In Favor: 25 Opposed: 0 Abstentions: 0
Therefore, the bill: PASSES
Vice President: ____________/s______________
Evan Lazerowitz
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S.R 5 - Resolution about Smoking on Campus |
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A Resolution Regarding Smoking on the Homewood Campus
S.R-5
- WHEREAS, the Hopkins Kicks Butts (hereafter, “HKB”) is carrying out an active campaign to reduce and/or ban smoking on the Homewood campus, which it outlines on its website < http://hopkicksbutts.blogspot.com/>.
- WHEREAS, HKB explicitly claims, on its website, to advocate for the complete ban of all tobacco smoking on campus.
- WHEREAS, HKB has proposed and lobbied for 30-foot “smoke-free zones” around all campus buildings, peer-policing of anti-tobacco polices, and a fifteen dollar fine for violation of campus tobacco policies, as well as a prohibition of campus events that promote tobacco.
- WHEREAS, HKB provides evidence, in the form of a 2005 study by Repace Associates, that outdoor secondhand smoke levels are detectable within 23 feet of a smoke source (Measurements of Outdoor Air Pollution From Secondhand Smoke on the UMBC Campus).
- WHEREAS, the Johns Hopkins university currently prohibits smoking within 10 feet of building entrances.
- WHEREAS, smoking has been proven to be harmful to one’s health.
- WHEREAS, exposure to second-hand smoking is also harmful to the health of individuals, including that of non-smokers.
- WHEREAS, the Student Government Association (hereafter, “SGA”), recognizes the inherent health risks that smoking poses to students, staff and faculty.
- WHEREAS, the SGA also recognizes a student’s right to smoke, so long as it does not conflict with the rights of other students.
10. WHEREAS, the SGA has reviewed evidence provided by HKB, invited the group to attend a meeting of the Student Senate and present its views, and reviewed HKB’s response to the concerns of SGA senators.
11. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the SGA supports reasonable restrictions on smoking, if it can be shown that the policy changes will positively affect student health and well-being, and that the severity of the problem being addressed is sufficient to warrant university action.
12. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the SGA also supports the moving of ashtrays to areas 23-30 feet away from main building entrances and windows.
13. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the SGA also supports the securing of ashtrays, to prevent tampering, and the posting of better signage clarifying current university smoking policy.
14. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the SGA does not believe that HKB has in any way demonstrated that an all-out ban on tobacco smoking on the Hopkins campus would significantly benefit the overall health and well-being of students, faculty or staff. Moreover, neither HKB, nor any of the studies presented have demonstrated that an all-out ban would be any more effective than 23-30 foot de facto no-smoking zones at preventing student exposure to secondhand smoke.
15. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the SGA is strongly opposed to the imposition of a blanket ban on smoking on the Homewood campus.
16. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the SGA is also strongly opposed to the imposition of a fine on smoking and a ban on events that promote tobacco. The former measure will be difficult to enforce and will unduly infringe upon student rights. The latter proposal will unfairly limit the free expression rights of student groups on campus.
17. THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, a copy of this resolution shall be sent to Dean Boswell, Dean of Student Life, as well as Dean Burger, Dean of Undergraduate Education.
It is so ordered.
Sponsor: Nick Trenton
Co-sponsors: Affan Sheikh, Archie Henry, Wyatt Larkin
Committee: N/A
Vote: In Favor 19 Opposed 7 Abstentions 0
Therefore, the bill: PASSES
Vice President: ___________/s_______________
Evan Lazerowitz
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