•GUSA•

GUSA Executive Weekly Update for January 23, 2012

Endowment Fund: This coming week, the student body will vote on proposed uses of the GUSA Endowment Fund. Ballots will be e-mailed to the student body on Monday night, and voting closes at midnight on Thursday. The vote requires the participation of 2,000 students and asks students to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the use of funds for three separate proposals. The vote is the culmination of the Student Activity Fee Endowment (SAFE) Reform process begun over a year ago.

These projects include the Georgetown Energy proposal, which allots $50,000 to the installation of solar panels on university townhouses and $200,000 for a Green Revolving Loan Fund. The solar panel contract includes a guarantee that the university will make money in energy savings over the first twenty years. A $1.25 million proposal establishes the SIPS fund, which furthers student service and social justice-based projects. The fund will support social justice initiatives on campus and empower students to make a difference beyond the Hilltop. The remaining $2.04 million will go to enhancements of the university’s expansion of the New South Student Center, including a restaurant/bar and a terrace overlooking the Potomac. University Chief Operating Officer Chris Augostini has promised GUSA considerable oversight over the expansion, including naming rights for the terrace and first floor. Further details will be included with the e-mailed ballot.

GUSA President Mike Meaney and Vice President Greg Laverriere endorse all three proposals and encourage all students to vote in the coming election.

Contacts: Mike Meaney and Greg Laverriere, GUSA President and Vice President
mjm344@georgetown.edu
gfl5@georgetown.edu

Code of Conduct Update: The GUSA Executive is pleased to announce considerable progress in its efforts to reform the Student Code of Conduct. The Disciplinary Review Committee (DRC) gave the proposed changes a positive reception and asked for a re-write that focuses specifically on certain changes. GUSA representatives will continue to meet with Director of Student Conduct Judy Johnson to work towards a final draft. The DRC did promise to provide students accused of Code of Conduct violations with a list of resources available to support them, including GUSA’s Student Advocacy Office.

Contact: Mike Barclay, Chief of Staff
mlb98@georgetown.edu

Provost Search Town Hall: Over sixty students attended a GUSA-sponsored town hall meeting on the university’s search for a new provost this past Thursday. The forum gave students an opportunity to ask questions of the search committee, which includes GUSA Senator Bridget Power as one of its two student representatives.

Contact: Greg Laverriere, Student Body Vice President
gfl5@georgetown.edu