On Sunday, Nov. 17, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) sent referenda language to students and announced the 50 candidates running for elected positions. The USG held a 28-minute meeting chaired by Vice President Srista Tripathi ’25 in the absence of USG President Avi Attar ’25.
That morning, the USG sent an email to the student body announcing that four out of the five originally announced referenda will be on the Winter 2024 USG ballot. USG sent the language of the four referenda on which students will be able to vote, and linked a form for “Opposition Leaders” to submit referendum proposals. The language review on all referenda passed unanimously and without discussion at last week’s meeting.
In a communication late Sunday night, sent 12 hours after the initial referenda communication, USG extended the deadline from 5 p.m. on Sunday to 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18.
A proposed referendum requiring the Office of Housing and Real Estate Services to notify students of fire inspection dates one week in advance, sponsored by Chris Beloglazov ’26, will not be on the ballot. According to a USG email to the student body, “The sponsor for Referendum No. 1 has chosen to not continue with the referendum process, and Referendum No. 1 will not be on the ballot.”
The first referendum on the ballot, sponsored by Class of 2025 Senator Gustavo Blanco Quiroga ’25, calls for improved treatment of student workers, including raising the undergraduate minimum wage to $18 per hour and increasing the frequency of pay periods to once per week instead of biweekly.
The second, sponsored by Princeton Environmental Activism Coalition Head Anna Buretta ’27, calls for the Board of Trustees to reverse its October decision that allows Princeton researchers to accept funding from fossil fuel companies — previously subject to the criteria of dissociation — for climate research.
The third is sponsored by USG Academics Committee Chair Vivian Bui ’26 and calls for the University to allow students to elect the pass/D/fail option for 100- and 200-level language courses that will not be used to count toward any academic language requirements.
The final referendum calls on the Board of Trustees and Princeton Investment Company (PRINCO) to disclose and divest its direct and indirect holdings in weapons manufacturing companies providing weapons to Israel. It is sponsored by Givarra Azhar Abdullah ’27.
Three project board requests were also approved at the meeting. The Black Premedical Society received $1,400 for a trip to Mt. Sinai Medical School. The African Students Association was granted $1,500 for its “Fake African Wedding” event, which aims to celebrate African heritage through food, music, and traditional attire. The Princeton Conservation Society requested $1,000 for its Friendsgiving event, focused on sustainability practices.
Events in the future line-up include S’mores for Success, Stuff a Tiger, Midnight Breakfast, Merry Monday coffee, and a Library Crawl. The Senate unanimously approved all requested funding encompassed by the S’mores for Success ($750), Stuff a Tiger ($1,500), and Merry Monday & DIY Pillow Craft ($1,500) events.
Jenna Elliot ’25 and USG Social Committee Chair Enzo Kho ’26 presented a “Stress-Less Week” budget proposal, requesting $3,750 for a week of programming during Reading Week in early December. The proposal, which includes funding from the Alcohol Initiative, aims to provide students with stress-relief activities. Kho is running against Treasurer Uma Fox for USG president in the Winter 2024 election.
Sunday evening, candidates for all USG positions were sent to the student body and voting will open Nov. 25 at 12 p.m. This story is developing and will be updated as information becomes available.
USG meetings are open for all students to attend and are held on Sundays from 5–6 p.m. in Robertson Hall 016.
Alena Zhang is a staff News writer for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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