Georgetown University Student Association Established in 1989
As October comes to an end, Nate, Adam, and the GUSA staff and cabinet have passed the halfway mark of their term in office. After a summer of working to cap interest rates on student loans, improving Georgetown sustainability, and involving students in changes to campus, GUSA has continued its efforts into the new semester to complete more than two-thirds of Nate and Adam’s campaign promises.
Campus Plan & Housing Advocacy
This executive has prioritized holding the university accountable for transparency, engagement, and student advocacy in the campus plan process, all the while defining boundaries in order to maintain focus on staff and cabinet projects. From connecting to alumni leaders about the satellite campus option’s unsuitability, to holding a record-breaking referendum, to lobbying for regular collaboration with key administrators, GUSA continues to work with the university to establish engagement plans for the student body with regard to both the 2010 Campus Plan and the upcoming Northeast Triangle dormitory.
Free Speech Reform
Since June, the Access to Benefits policy and Student Organization Standards have been under review by a committee of students and staff members. This work has helped GUSA to identify partners and effectively target the goal of a campus-wide free speech zone. As the Free Speech and Expression Committee begins to meet for the 2013-2014 academic year, Nate and Adam are proud to announce a new mission for the committee, in partnership with Dr. Jeanne Lord and other committee members: promoting and expanding free speech on campus by reviewing the Free Speech and Expression Policy and hosting a campus-wide forum on free speech in January 2014.
Student Space Reform
Since appointing Jack Appelbaum the director of student space last spring, GUSA has been working with university administrators on a plan to eliminate space fees for student organizations. After hearing student concerns, the university has moved forward with a unified space-booking system that provides students with a one-stop shop to reserve spaces on campus, effective this spring. GUSA continues to work with OCAF to optimize the reservation interface.
Department of D.C. Relations: D.C. Boards & Launch of the GSTA
The first of its kind, the Georgetown Student Tenant Association (GSTA) is a program founded by members of GUSA to help protect the rights of student tenants off campus. GSTA partners with the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate and offers students several services including education, lease review, and direct advocacy. GUSA has also worked to increase student participation on D.C. Mayoral Boards, which provide students with opportunities to shape policies that affect the Georgetown community as well as the city as a whole. Current projects include the expansion of student voices on D.C. boards and commissions and developing a Landlord Rating System that will provide students selecting properties and landlords with necessary information.
Department of Student Health & Safety: Sexual Assault Advocacy
GUSA has pushed for reform and expansion of sexual assault education, outreach, and services on our campus in tandem with other advocates. An amnesty clause for reporting sexual assault is in the works to be implemented in the Student Code of Conduct, and GUSA representatives are working collaboratively with dedicated university staff members to improve educational outreach and available resources. GUSA has encouraged training the senate, executive, and Constitutional Council, in addition to working with other student groups to raise awareness on campus.
Department of Sustainability: Making Georgetown Greener & More Eco-Friendly
This summer, in addition to installing recycling bins in every campus apartment — with plans to expand the program to dormitories — GUSA partnered with The Corp and the university to provide sustainable water bottles for every incoming student during NSO 2013. GUSA has also established the Georgetown Environmental Leaders (GEL) coalition of environmental groups, which will host fall and spring summits to discuss green space and sustainability on campus as well as help the university implement and staff the new Office of Sustainability with student workers.
Department of Diversity: Disability Advocacy, Underrepresentation, & Bias Reporting
The No Wrong Door Policy, a comprehensive resource and standards guide for students with disabilities, has been distributed to every campus administrator and faculty member who may interact with students, and GUSA is working to improve campus accessibility and fortify the Disability Cultural Center. Also, in addition to a record-high number of women sworn into the GUSA senate and Finance and Appropriations Committee, GUSA has contributed funding to publicize cultural events and worked with university administrators to provide input for a new Bias Reporting System. The LGBT Mentorship Program, Safe Space Initiative, Diversity Education Academic Program, and Spring Fest are currently in the works.
Department of Athletics: Buses to Games, MultiSport Field Mural, & a Club Sports Trainer
In partnership with GU Athletics, GUSA has launched a new program to bus eligible students directly to basketball games at Verizon Center for those who attend a fixed, small number of non-conference games. GUSA has also partnered with Hoya Blue and Planning and Facilities to paint a mural on the formerly blank wall against the MultiSport Field and has worked with the university to secure funding, office space, and a hiring committee for a new club sports trainer. GUSA continues to work with the university to prioritize student voices throughout the construction of the Intercollegiate Athletic Center and the maintenance of Kehoe Field.
Student Advocacy Office: Hearing Boards & Outreach
Open every weekday from 1 to 5 p.m. in the GUSA office, the SAO hears student issues and works to advocate for individual Student Conduct cases. Partnering with the Office of Student Conduct, the SAO has increased the number of students able to sit on hearing boards for serious Code of Conduct offenses to enable increased student ownership of the hearing board process. Student rights pamphlets have also been updates and distributed, and the SAO has established a permanent internal leadership structure and confirmed its status as a permanent student service. An SAO Code of Conduct Mobile App is to be released in late fall, and a Home Beyond the Hilltop program for first-time noise offenses is in development.
Department of Alumni & Career Services: The Student Organization Networking Guide (SONG)
GUSA has created the Student Organization Networking Guide (SONG) for the promotion and establishment of alumni relations among student organizations. GUSA has also co-hosted alumni relations events including a Georgetown Entertainment and Media Alliance panel, the Deloitte recruitment event (co-hosted with Bakers and IRC), and the Training the Street Corporate Valuation Seminar (sponsored by Credit Suisse). “Traveling” info sessions to provide information dorm by dorm in November and “Hoya Gateway,” a new alumni relations software offered by the Career Center, are current projects in the works.
