The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate convened for its first meeting of the spring semester to review a number of budget changes, including an increase in the student activities fee, increased budgets for various committees, and a notable decrease in the Social Committee’s Lawnparties budget.
The Campus and Community Affairs Committee, which runs initiatives such as Tigers in Town, received around $10,000 more than usual to account for the higher number of individual funding requests that the committee managed last semester. Likewise, the University Social Life Committee saw an increase in its budget due to its success last year, having been allocated $5,000, up from $250 in previous semesters. The Social Committee’s budget for Lawnparties has been reduced, however, from $280,000 to $260,000.
The meeting also included a discussion of USG’s mission statement for its 50th anniversary year, provided updates on organizational structures, and confirmed member appointments. This was the first meeting under the new USG President Enzo Kho ’26, who took over the position from Avi Attar ’25.
Kho began the meeting by describing the origins of USG to celebrate its 50th anniversary. In 1905, he explained, a senior society was formed. The society’s purpose was “to furnish the highest reward of merit for conscientious efforts in furthering the best interests of the University and its undergraduate organizations.” Over time, the society reformed repeatedly until USG was born in 1975.
Kho went on to outline the current administration’s mission statement.
“Through policy advocacy and programming initiatives, our mission is to represent the best interests of the student body while fostering an outward-facing USG. By strengthening transparency, proactive outreach, and clear communication, we seek to enhance student understanding of approachable Senate support structures, ensuring that every student feels represented and empowered,” the statement reads in part.
The Senate also reviewed and voted to confirm appointed USG committee members and members of the Senate.
Following this, USG Communication Co-Director Rushil Chetty ’28 and Deputy Communications Director Evan Callas ’27 presented an overview of their goals and strategies for the upcoming semester. They proposed adding an events calendar to the USG website, as well as a policy tracker.
As the meeting drew to a close, discussion shifted to focus on the Student Groups Recognition Committee (SGRC)’s meeting decisions. The SGRC, which meets monthly, works with the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS) to officially recognize groups, which gives the ability to apply for Projects Board Funding and the eligibility for a Princeton Listserv.
SGRC chair Arosheny Puvanenthirarajah ’26 was not present at the USG meeting on Sunday, although the Senate discussed the criteria used by the committee to reject the creation of clubs which already had similar groups existing on campus.
U-Councilor Aly Rashid ’26 said that he felt as though the “SGRC has been slightly more critical about finance and consulting groups than other new groups that form on campus.” A motion to overturn SGRC decisions was tabled until the next meeting, where an SGRC representative will be present.
USG meetings are open for all students to attend and are held on Sundays from 5–6 p.m. in Robertson Hall 016.
Andrew Arthur is a staff News writer from London, England and typically covers USG, CPUC, Princeton’s institutional legacy, and administrative matters.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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