DSG elects senate judiciary committee, approves board of elections

Duke Student Government elected its senate judiciary committee, approved the board of electors and allocated $40,406.10 in Student Organization Finance Committee funding during its Wednesday meeting.

Senate judiciary committee, board of elections

Sophomore senator Edison Chen was elected chair of the senate judiciary committee with 52.8% of the vote. In this position, Chen will be responsible for enforcing the rules of the senate chamber. He currently serves as a member of the equity and outreach committee.

During his 30-second campaign speech, Chen emphasized his desire to “restore accountability to DSG” — specifically on attendance at senate meetings — following its failure to meet quorum to vote on legislation. Chen said he also wants to provide more clarity on the senate judiciary’s functions as outlined in DSG’s bylaws.

First-year senators Sabrina Manero, Stroud Snider, Aviv Stabinsky and Nate Jones were elected to serve as members on the senate judiciary committee. In the campaign speeches, the candidates spoke about a number of goals, ranging from the need to clarify DSG’s rules and policies to improving attendance and enthusiasm within the committee and across the senate as a whole.

During the election, some confusion arose surrounding the role of the senate judiciary committee versus DSG’s judiciary — the latter of which upholds DSG’s constitutionality and settles student group disputes.

Senators also approved the six nominees to the board of elections who will be tasked with overseeing the logistics of DSG's general election. Four non-DSG members — seniors Jake Park-Walters, Reima Bash, Josie van de Klashorst and Samantha Weitzel —  and two DSG members — first-year senator Anna Vannoy and senior Alessandro Dal Bon, vice president of academic affairs — were approved to serve on the board.

SOFC allocations

Runway of Dreams: $7,365.10 funded in full for its annual adaptive fashion show.

Hoof ‘n’ Horn: $18,103 out of its requested $18,679 to fund eight show performances running from March 27 through April 6, with funding for wigs and props cut.

Jewish Student Union: $3,225 out of its requested $3,588.19 to fund their “Casino Night” which will bring in a Jewish comedian alongside student standup comedy performers. SOFC adjusted the group’s travel, catering and honorarium costs.

Undergraduate Catholic Center: $3,840 out of its requested $3,910 to fund their Senior Soiree with catering cut to allocation requirements.

International mentorship initiative

Senators heard a presentation from Chen about a new international mentorship initiative. The project will provide mentor-mentee pairings for incoming international students in the Class of 2029. He shared that new challenges faced by international students, such as receiving guidance “in some places” to carry F-1 visas at all times, prompted the initiative.

Committee updates

The campus life committee discussed ongoing student health initiatives as well as the Airport Transportation Initiative, which provides shuttles to Raleigh-Durham International Airport for students free of charge.

The Durham and community affairs committee shared its progress on its collaboration with local vendors and businesses for “Durham Days,” as well as shared plans to help Experiential Orientation project directors incorporate “meaningful engagements within Durham” during orientation week.

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