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Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

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USG Brief

The General Assembly (GA) of Case Western Reserve University’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG) met in the Toepfer Room of Adelbert Hall on Tuesday, March 6. The week, the GA was much shorter than usual to allow time for the separate committees of USG to conduct individual meetings. These were held in the same room in case immediate communication was needed. Representatives found this new system to be effective.

The meeting started with a report from the Student Sustainability Council (SSC). In addition to its recent co-sponsorship with Thwing Tuesday, the SSC also has made progress spreading awareness of the Recyclemania campaign. They set up tables in Leutner and Fribley to talk to students, and they presented to the Faculty and Graduate Student Senates. In addition, they conducted a rock-climbing SatCo.

The GA dealt with one piece of old legislation, Resolution R. 21-03: A Resolution Supporting Club Sports Team Access to the Sports Medicine Staff. It was voted down because insurance-related regulations of the university impede the staff from physically treating club sports team members; although it was noted that making supplies available is still an option.

New legislation included three bills. Bill B. 21-19 recognized the New Abolitionist student group, which works to teach young students self-defense and provide for their safety. Bill B. 21-20 extended $2025 in rolling funding allocations to student groups out of $4000 requested.

Bill B. 21-21, A Bill to Recommend Amendments to the Constitution of the Undergraduate Student Government, proposed to give each CWRU school or college’s USG caucus a minimum of three members, to create an Internal Development Chair for USG, to give more voting power to appointed members of the USG Executive Committee, and to streamline the information in the Constitution in a manner that places relevant information in the same sections and articles.

Before moving into committee reports, USG elected Ali Mahmoud as its commuter representative. He will join the First-Year Student Caucus, filling a long-standing vacancy in USG. He aims to make the commuter student population better known to the campus and each other.

During committee reports, president Divya Aggarwal informed the GA about the 21 proposals for the Student Life Improvement Grant submitted from a sweeping variety of CWRU faculty and students. The SLIG committee will review those proposals in the next few weeks.

Jesal Shah, vice president of finance, announced that student group recognition and re-recognition for next year, as well as USG mass funding, is fast approaching after spring break.

Vice president for student life James Hale reported that the student life committee is still working on memos and investigations to deal with unavailability of library study rooms, posting policy improvements, and the feasibility of online newspaper subscriptions.

Vice president for academic affairs Steve Cummins reported that his committee is looking at improving advising for students who are unsure of their majors. In his discussion with Dean Wolcowitz, the first Dean’s Study Break, which aimed to let students speak with the dean in a casual setting, was declared a success.

Vice president for information technology Thomas Dooner reported that the Student Printing Summit, which his committee organized on Monday, was a great success. Attendees included many members of Information Technology Services, Printing Services, Residence Hall Association, and the USG IT Committee. The main point of discussion surrounded actions that should be taken when summer arrives and the university seeks an alternative or solution to the poor printing service.

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