USG discusses Year-End survey, committees, budget requests

The Undergraduate Student Government discussed findings from the Year-End Assessment Survey about Diversity and Equity, updates concerning the Campus and Community Affairs and University Student Life Committees, and various budget requests during its weekly meeting on Dec. 9.

Vice Provost for Institutional Research Jed Marsh talked about the Year-End Assessment Survey about Diversity and Equity. With roughly 70 percent of undergraduate students responding, the survey acts as an opportunity for students to provide confidential feedback on academic and co-curricular programming.

Mental Health Initiative Co-Chairs Josh Gardner ’20 and Casey Kemper ’20 requested $1500 to bring the “In Their Shoes” exhibit to campus early February 2019. The exhibit consists of 296 pairs of shoes that represent individuals in New Jersey between the ages of 10 and 24 who committed suicide from 2013 to 2015.

“This exhibit helps to increase understanding, empathy, and kindness towards those who might be struggling in silence and encourage them to seek help,” Kemper said.

The Senate voted unanimously to approve the budget request.

Campus and Community Affairs (CCA) Chair Caleb Visser ’20 asked the Senate to provide feedback on a draft of the updated CCA charter. Following Visser’s combing through the archives of The Daily Princetonian to see what activities CCA has sponsored in the past, the revised CCA charter now seeks to better represent the committee’s purview.

In addition to defining the mission of the committee — for example, what “Community” refers to, as opposed to “Campus” — the updated charter will also treat CCA initiatives from more recent years, such as Restaurant Week and Vote100, in more depth.

University Student Life Committee Chair Tania Bore ’20 reported on progress within USLC of various projects. Current projects include enhancing diversity in ethnic cuisine in dining halls, increasing long-term enrollment in Campus Rec by raffling flex passes, and conducting Kognito training for non-freshmen during reading period.

Bore also requested $500 to fund a giveaway of 25 bike U-locks that would be administered in tandem with Public Safety’s “bait bike” project to combat bike theft on campus. In response to the budget request, some members of the Senate expressed concerns about the availability of the giveaway bike locks for first-generation, low-income students.

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“Have we considered giving [the 25 bike U-locks] out to students on financial aid first?” asked Academics Committee Chair Olivia Ott ’20.

Following the Senate’s recommendations, Bore decided to follow up with a revised budget request later this week.

Bore further introduced a request for $4570 for the printing and door-to-door distribution of 1000 copies of the Upperclassmen Eating Options Guides. The guides would serve as a comprehensive resource on different meal plan, eating club, co-op, and independent options available.

However, Class of 2020 Senator Brad Spicher ’20, as the Treasurer-Elect, and on behalf of Treasurer Alison Shim ’19, declined to fund the printing of the guides and asked Bore to consider electronic circulation of the guides instead.

Spicher is a photographer for the ‘Prince.’

The Senate agreed to reject the funding request.

Bore lastly revealed that the process of updating the USLC charter would continue because the Graduate Student Government had rejected the previous modifications.

U-Councilor Katya Vera ’20 also announced her resignation from her position.