DSG recaps year’s accomplishments in final meeting of the semester, approves $24,560 in SOFC funding

In Duke Student Government’s final senate session of the year, senators heard a presentation summarizing their achievements throughout the year, approved $24,560 in Student Organization Finance Committee funding requests and discussed incoming appointees for the 2025-26 year.

“I am very, very happy with the way you all showed up in the senate space,” said DSG President Heather Raslan, a senior, at the Wednesday meeting. “This is just one of the most productive years in DSG — especially since COVID.”

Members of DSG’s organizational leadership team highlighted their achievements throughout the year, including appointing members to the 2030 curriculum implementation committee, creating a weekly progress report for committee members, revitalizing the senate judiciary committee and creating weekly finance reports.

Raslan highlighted that one of the “big goals” she had throughout her presidential tenure was to make DSG a campus resource for students, noting that its relationship with student organizations used to be “very one-sided.” She emphasized the organizational leadership team’s goal of being intentional with establishing partnerships and building trust across various student organizations throughout the year.

Appointments

Senators discussed the speaker of the senate election in a closed session lasting roughly 35 minutes. Sophomore Yash Sharma was nominated to the position last week, and senators will vote asynchronously to confirm him.

Junior Connor Biswell and sophomores Ameer Haidary and Haiden Bowling were also nominated for the position of chief financial officer. Senators will vote asynchronously on one student to hold the position.

Cawley swore in sophomore Edison Chen as chair of the senate judiciary committee. Chen was elected to the position in a March 6 meeting and was also elected vice president of equity and outreach Tuesday.

Duke Defining Movement: $2,050 out of a requested $2,325 to cover space rental and personnel costs for its April 19 showcase alongside Synergy Dance Company.

Embodiment: $1,925 funded in full to cover space rental costs for its April 11 DEP x Embodiment 2025 Spring Showcase.

Nakisai: $1,925 funded in full to cover costs for its Nakisai April 12 ADE Annual Spring Showcase.

Street Medicine: $1,750 funded in full to cover space rental costs for its April 12 Season 11 Spring Showcase. 

Duke Africa: $4,510 funded in full to cover space rental costs for its April 17 Jabulani event.

Duke Africa: $4,800 funded in full to cover catering costs for its April 19 Fake Wedding event. 

Pureun: $1,750 funded in full to cover space rental costs for its April 11 showcase. 

Synergy: $1,925 funded in full to cover space rental costs for its April 19 showcase in partnership with Defining Movement.

---