In its first legislative meeting of the year, Duke Student Government voted unanimously last night to endorse the efforts of the coalition of student groups currently raising money in support of the United Way September 11th Fund and the Duke Emergency Relief Fund.
The resolution, co-authored by President C.J. Walsh, Executive Vice President Drew Ensign, Chief of Staff Evan Davis, Vice President for Facilities and Athletic Affairs Matthew Slovik and Financial Aid Task Force Chair James Carter, called upon Duke students and campus groups to unite behind relief efforts for victims of the terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon and their families.
"We've brought together representatives from Spectrum, the [Intrafraternity Council] and over forty student groups in an unprecedented uniting of students," Walsh said. "Hopefully this will foster a lot of interaction on campus."
The senior said that over $6,000 has been raised in the past week. That figure includes the sale of almost 2,000 American flags and the donations that students, faculty and staff have made at designated spots across campus. Those stations, manned by members of the various groups involved, will remain open through Friday.
The $6,000 does not include money raised Wednesday night at George's Garage, where DSG and the rest of the student coalition hosted a benefit party. They will also sponsor a similar fundraising event at Cafe Parizade Saturday night.
Walsh was on hand at the meeting to lend support to the resolution and to make a 30-minute presentation to the body about the projects DSG worked on last spring, what was accomplished over the summer and what is on the horizon for this academic year.
In his presentation, the DSG president said that along with major issues like the alcohol policy, residential life and academic affairs, new issues like intellectualism and gender equity will also be addressed this year.
IN OTHER BUSINESS: All 50 of DSG's legislators were sworn in by attorney general Elizabeth Kreul-Starr. Among the 2001-2002 body were three recently added members: sophomore Ben Brod, sophomore Edward Keith, and freshman Ryan Kennedy.
The three are replacing freshman Mary Baars, junior Shevon Rockett and junior Doug Ross, who all quit the organization after being elected or appointed last week.
Ensign, the executive vice president, said Baars, Rockett and Ross left DSG because of scheduling conflicts which would not have allowed them to attend the weekly legislative meetings.
Ross and Baars will remain on their respective committees inside DSG, though they will no longer have voting powers in the legislation, Ensign said.
"This is not out of the ordinary," he said. "I think in two of the past three years, this has happened."
Head Line Monitor Greg Skidmore announced that this year's tenting policy for Krzyzewskiville will probably be released this weekend, and that the first reading of the policy will take place at next Wednesday's DSG meeting. Skidmore said any students interested in lending their opinions to the shaping of the policy can still contact him this week.
Brian Goldfarb, a junior, was appointed to Walsh's cabinet as the director of internal technology, and Kelly Rogers, a senior, was appointed to the Intercommunity Council as the executive secretary.
Student Organization Finance Committee Chair Vinny Eng and Duke University Student Dining Advisory Committee Chair Jason Freedman announced that any students interested in joining these committees may submit applications at the DSG office this week.
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