Duke Student Government senators discussed Democracy Day, shared committee updates and provided funding for student groups at their Wednesday meeting.
DSG described plans to host Democracy Day on March 1 from noon to 4 p.m. on Bryan Center Plaza. The event will feature a cappella performances, food trucks and voter ID cards for pick-up.
Committee updates
The services and sustainability committee met with QuadEx leadership about the prospect of a house course for first-years that discusses how to navigate life as a Duke student.
The Durham and community affairs committee met with the Duke Office of Durham and Committee Affairs, which approved funding for the committee’s fireside chats with professors and local Durham leaders. The group also discussed the possibility of Uber and Lyft endorsements for students who volunteer off campus.
The equity and outreach committee detailed progress on a survey initiative for Duke LIFE on student satisfaction with the organization and its physical spaces. The committee also discussed earmarking funding for Duke LIFE from recent alumni fundraising efforts.
For marketing committee project work, the equity and outreach committee was allocated $325.20 to give out cookies in front of Marketplace. The committee initially planned for Crumbl to provide the cookies, but senators amended the statute to reflect funding for “baked goods,” after one senator suggested they spend the funds on cookies from a local bakery to support local businesses.
In other business
DSG senators allocated $3,620 to Defining America for a lobbying trip to Washington, D.C. for 20 students, $2,800.35 to All of the Above for space and equipment rentals for three monologue performance events, $6,892.50 to the Asian Students Association for a spring formal and $2,490 to the Duke Justice Project for an event on life after incarceration. Senators also allocated $5,000 and $7,500 to Duke Sports Business Conference for guest speakers and a space rental, respectively.
In response to the $6,892.50 approval for the Asian Students Association, one senator raised a concern about the extent of remaining SOFC funds. The senator was told that the numbers are kept “in-house” and that committee vice presidents have access to them. At the end of the meeting, the senators voted to hold a closed executive session to discuss SOFC funding.
Senators shared that Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams and other city council members will sit in on a DSG meeting in March to hear perspectives from DSG senators. Senators also announced conversations with Housing and Residence Life about increasing the accessibility of AEDs, Narcan and first-aid kits in residential buildings on campus.
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Michael Austin is a Trinity sophomore and managing editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.