While the majority of the student body drained off-campus soon after final exams were finished last May, a certain duo were just getting into the swing of things. GUSA President Clara Gustafson (SFS’13) and vice president Vail Kohnert-Yount (SFS’13) spent the summer hard at work on developing the Campus Plan and other aspects of their campaign to make the campus a more welcoming space for students.

Despite the numerous challenges over the past year to create a Campus Plan that appealed to students, administration, and neighbors, Gustafson and Kohnert-Yount insisted that the revamped agreement over the summer “allowed more leverage in certain areas to create change in terms of student conduct, which will hopefully be one of the big focuses this year.”

Working on plans for the New South Student Center was one of their major priorities, as they met with architects to create a floor plan with the promise of an ideal gathering space. Emphasizing the need to “stay vigilant and involved with the design process,” the GUSA executive brought up ideas that would have staying power with students of all ages.

The concept of a terrace that extended from the pub out onto the Potomac for students of drinking age was one of those ideas, though “there was some resistance to that from the administration.” Persisting for the implementation of the terrace, however, the two stressed the “need to have something unique” for older students so they don’t just stick with the Tombs staple. For the younger demographic, the GUSA executive suggested having 18-plus nights so everyone can benefit from the communal space. Overall, the vision for a student center that “reflected the character of Georgetown” was the primary issue in meetings with architects that enabled student feedback.

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Last night at the monthly meeting of advisory Neighborhood Commission 2E, we had an important announcement about the campus plan, and a few other  visits from the university. Before we get into the recap, here’s a PSA in case local government is your thing.

Sticka wants YOU to join the ANC

Tomorrow night at 8 p.m. in the Reiss 281, the current on-campus ANC commissioner Jake Sticka (COL ’13) is holding an info session for prospective candidates. ANC commissioners serve two-year terms, and since the redistricting process of last fall, campus now has two seats (one representing SW Quad, VCW, and New South, the other representing Henle, Harbin, Copley, some townhouses, and Nevils. Unfortunately, Darnall, LXR, and Magis Row have been gerrymandered into other districts.)

Although the town-gown issues get all the attention, most of what the ANC does focuses on local businesses, public space, and transportation.

Sticka says you should run because, ”People should want their representational forms of  government to represent them.”

Speaking of the University (but when are we not, honestly)…

Speaking of the university, a few special guests dropped by to say “hello,” “how are you,” and “could you approve this athletic center?” First up, GUSA president Clara Gustafson (SFS ’12) introduced herself to the community.

“I just wanted to come hear tonight to say that Georgetown University and the community have in the past not always had the best relationship,” she said, “But I want you all to know that I am very committed to help improve that in any way I can.”

Later, VP for External Relations Linda Greenan presented the revised plans for the Athletic Center to the ANC for approval. The Athletic Center was already approved for use by the Zoning Commission, and, according to ANC Commissioner Ron Lewis, is is ANC policy to approve the specifics one the zoning commission has spoken on a project.

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On Saturday, the Georgetown University Student Association swore in the new President and Vice President, Clara Gustafson (SFS ’13) and Vail Kohnert-Yount (SFS ’13). The inauguration was a small affair, with Vail being sworn in on a copy of Infinite Jest because, “This is the closest thing I had to a religious text.”

Gustafson also gave an impromptu address:

I’m going to take a few minutes of your time to say, thank you all for coming out today and happy St. Paddy’s Day. I am so very excited and honored to stand before you today to be sworn in as the GUSA president. GUSA have accomplished many incredible things the past three years, and I’ve learned a lot from my experience. Vail and I are in a great position to finish a lot of those initiatives that were started, especially SAFE reform, and to establish GUSA as an organization for and by all students and expand its reach into focus areas that haven’t been exercised in the past by GUSA. That said, I would like to thank Mike and Greg for their incredible hard work and dedication over the past year to the students and this university. You guys have left some incredibly large shoes to fill, and we hope we do you proud.

Vail and I have already begun work on some of the initiative we proposed in our platform, such as planning a research symposium, an LGTBQ-friendly checkbox on CHARMS, and the Student Life Report—and how to implement the recommendations that were given in that. We have also been working on a pretty fantastic cabinet to help execute a lot of these and other important initiatives. Vail and I have been given an incredible opportunity, and … we hope that we will serve all of you well in the next year, and know that our door is always open. Thank you very much.

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