Student Government Senate Meeting Recap

Story by Broadside Reporter David Pierce. Photo by Elizabeth Biondi.

The Student Senate discussed important issues pertaining to the George Mason University community in their weekly meeting, last Thursday afternoon on the third floor of the Johnson Center.

Senator Ravi Udeshi introduced a bill that would allocate funds to the Witch Watch and Haunted Happenings programs. Senate Clerk Mhehvish Khan described Witch Watch as a program that benefits City of Fairfax neighborhoods by having Student Government members safeguard trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.

“[The members] go out to make sure the kids are safe,” Khan said.

Haunted Happenings are Halloween-themed events that occur throughout downtown Fairfax on Oct. 30, according to the City of Fairfax Web site. The bill would give $1,509.38 to the Senate Advocacy and Outreach Committee for the events. An amount of $1,437.50 would be set aside for 250 event t-shirts at $5.75 each, while the rest of the funds would account for the state sales tax. The Senate did not pass the bill, but instead referred it to the Senate Finance Committee for further review.

Udeshi also proposed a bill that would help fund Night Walk, a Mason neighborhood watch program that allows campus administrators and students to patrol dark areas of Mason to ensure safety for everyone. The measure would set aside $467.20 for the event, with $407.20 apportioned for food, while allowing $60 for flashlights and supplies. This bill was also not passed and will be sent to the Senate Finance Committee.

The senate passed a resolution, which created Monday Night Mixers, a program that will help the student government reach out to other student organizations, such as academic, graduate, Greek and religious groups.

“We’re trying to give [the organizations] an opportunity to meet with us and find out what the student government can do for them,” Udeshi said. He said the meetings would be informal and alternate weekly between different groups.

Senate Speaker Jeremy Miller and Senator Janay Phillips gave a presentation recommending senators to become mentors to new members. Miller said the purpose of the mentoring program was to welcome new senate members and introduce them to the student government culture.

“We all [strive] to do things [that] will make a difference in the Mason community,” Miller said of the program.

“The program was very successful last year,” Student Body President Zack Golden added.

Senator Richard Louie introduced a cabinet nomination from senior Nhien Pho, a potential candidate for the Undersecretary of University Life for Student Organizations. Pho outlined via a submitted letter her experience, such as being treasurer of the Mason chapter of the Order of Omega. In addition, she said she would bring Student Government and other organizations together by holding intimate meetings. Without opposition, the senate confirmed Pho.

The Student Government is also getting ready for the upcoming fall freshman and transfer student elections, according to Golden. He said that there are 10 open senate seats, and that students who are interested can pick up an information packet in the Student Activities Office in Student Union Building I, Room 101. The deadline for applying is the end of this week. Elections will be held Oct. 21 and 22.