Hoyas took a little time away from Halloween celebrations on Wednesday night to thank dining hall workers who ensured students had food amidst the Frankenstorm that reached its height on Tuesday afternoon. The dining hall remained open for part of Monday, and workers distributed thousands of Grab ‘n’ Go meals for students to ration during the storm.

In the GUSA office in the Leavey Center, over 50 students wrote thank-you cards to campus workers.  Students dropped by to make several cards in recognition of the sacrifices and risks Leo’s workers made to support the entire Georgetown community.

ANC candidate Craig Cassey (SFS’15) originally proposed the idea. “The workers sacrificed time to go home to their families working hard and long to replenish depleted food in Leo’s and Grab ‘n’ Go stations….it is important that we thank them and give them hugs to show our appreciation,” he said.

Leo O’Donovan’s had half of the usual number of staff workers due to the storm. However, workers were still able to make twice as much food. According to University spokesperson Stacy Kerr, over 7,600 meals were produced on Monday and most of the Leo’s staff stayed the night on campus. A Leo’s manager could not be reached in time for comment.

“We even received an e-mail telling the students that the university shut down, yet Leo’s workers remained committed to making 4,000 more sandwiched meals,” GUSA President Clara Gustafson (SFS ’13) said. “The student body appears satisfied and grateful for the food preparation and being able carry out meals as well as double swipe at Grab ‘n’ Go stations.”

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This afternoon, Vice President of Student Affairs Todd Olson announced his approval of raising the evidentiary standard from “more likely than not” to “clear and convincing” for all on campus students, effective January 1, 2013. The standard does not, however, extend to off campus students.

“The decision to change that standard for incidents that happen starting on campus…it’s a change that acknowledges in an important way that this issue matters to students, that it has been a topic of interest for students broadly and student leadership,” Olson said. He emphasized that the GUSA referendum and other such efforts on the behalf of students to convince Olson were heard and taken seriously.

“We have not made a change for incidents off campus. We take the interests of everyone involved in our community seriously…and we take interest in the perspective of our local neighbors and community neighbors seriously.”

Olson also added that the University is soon to undertake a review of the Off Campus Student Life office. “We want this process to be reasonable and appropriate for students…and neighbors,” he said. “Students’ voices have mattered a great deal here…there are other voices that matter as well and we want to be sure we are being thoughtful.”

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Sunday afternoon, the GUSA Senate unanimously passed “An ACT to create a Speaker’s Commission on Inclusion and Safety.” In a continuation of the efforts spearheaded by the Safe Transitions Working Group in August of 2012, the bill created a Commission to address issues related to residential safety, nondiscrimination, and mix-ed gender housing options. “Incidents of violence, harassment, discomfort are unacceptably high for LGBTQ freshman in particular,” said Speaker of the Senate Nate Tisa. “Dozens have to switch rooms, and many transfer out of Georgetown every year.”

The Commission will be co-chaired by Speaker Tisa of Village A and Senator Jay Factor of Village B/Nevils, and will be responsible for making recommendations to the administration in order to affectively address issues such as those highlighted in the Working Group’s report which include discrimination against and exclusion of LGBTQ students in student housing.

The Commission will not only focus on issues that affect Georgetown’s LGBTQ community address a wide variety of issues that effect the Georgetown student body as a whole such as instances of relationship and gender violence and mixed gender housing options.

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The Graduate Student Organization is joining the Georgetown University Student Association to advocate for the creation of an online appointment scheduling system at the Student Health Center. Members from the two groups will be meeting with the Assistant Vice President of Student Health James Welsh this week to discuss their proposal.

Two days ago, GUSA Vice President Vail Kohnert-Yount (SFS ’13) introduced the idea on Ideascale, adding that GSO and GUSA have already sent a letter to the administration about the implementation of online scheduling. After about fifteen minutes, the post garnered 30 votes, according to Kohnert-Yount.

As of 4 p.m. today, 142 students voted in support of the proposition. ”Nearly every student who has interacted with the Student Health Center has frustrations with the way the office operates,” Kohnert-Yount wrote in the IdeaScale post.

She described a personal story where she was put on hold with the Student Health Center for such a long time that she was forced to find a doctor off-campus to treat her illness:

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The results are in from this year’s GUSA senate election. The election and referendum saw the largest student voter turnout in recent history, as well as a large number of candidates in some districts.

• Representing Village A are  Nate Tisa and Lawrence Slusky.

• The senator from LXR is Zach Singer.

• Representing Nevils and Village B are Jay Factor and Vetone Ivezaj.

• Copley ‘s senator is Elizabeth Oh.

• Representing students in townhouses is Sheila Walsh.

• Of the 18 students who ran for Darnall and Harbin’s three seats, Billy Bowers, Shweta Wahal, and Tim Rosenberger won.

• Representing New South and Village C West are Seamus Guerin, Chandini Jha, and Abby Cooner.

• Robert Shepherd will represent Village C East.
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As expected, the referendum on changing the Student Code of Conduct policy from “more likely than not” to “clear and convincing” has passed with an overwhelming majority. The total number of students supporting the measure was 2,507, with only 93 opposed. In total number of votes cast in the election was 2,629, which is more than the previous referendum on the SAFE reform from last December, in which 2,446 votes were cast.

The referendum is non-binding, and the final decision still rests with Vice President of Student Affairs Todd Olson. Olson has previously said that he will not make a decision until the conclusion of an outside audit of the Office of Student Affairs is complete.

The audit was conducted by administrators from a university that has the clear and convincing standard and one that does not. The referendum is intended to show Olson and the administration the overwhelming support the student body has towards changing the Student Code of Conduct.

The last of Darnall and Harbin candidates for GUSA. Thank you for your time, voters, and we hope you find this guide helpful.

Timothy Rosenberger (COL ’16)

Rosenberger has a clear idea of that he wants to bring to the table – “Money, Cars and Food.” While improving the standard of food at Leo’s is an aim, his first priority is to improve Georgetown’s endowment by getting more members of the alumni involved in giving back to the school, and thus improve Georgetown’s college ranking.

“The first step needs to be that GUSA notices this issue at all, we need to show alumni that students care, that students are involved in this issue, and show the administration at Georgetown that students are willing to put forth an effort,” he said.

If elected, he hopes to form a committee within GUSA to look at improving Georgetown’s endowment. Tim emphasizes that improving Georgetown’s endowment is more than just increasing the dollar amount as college rankings are graded on participation. “I understand how to get alumni and past participants in various organizations involved in giving back.”

He believes he understands what it takes to get a successful endowment, and that his financial experience in running annual funds for smaller non-profits will benefit the student body if he is elected to GUSA. Rosenberger also hopes to make zip cars available to all on campus, a task that his fellow Darnall residents are sure to be grateful for if accomplished.

Ricardo Dira (COL ’16)

“I feel like I can help make Georgetown a better place for everyone,” Dira said. He believes that GUSA has clear jurisdiction over student affairs and activities. “I want to be there to make sure that the students’ best interests are represented.”

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And the last of the GUSA candidates roundup! The Harbin and Darnall Halls will select three senators. Eighteen senators are running. Vox provides here the seven candidates here, with a second post to come on the last bunch.

Will Simons

Simons, an intended Government major in the College, hails from New York. When asked why he wants to be a senator in GUSA, he explained “I am running to increase transparency and student activism within the student government.”

He believes that the referendum on student code of conduct happening this week is an extremely vital issue. He said that “as long as we pass that referendum, we need to press the administration.”

In addition, Will thinks that there should be more opportunities for students throughout the Georgetown community. He is a candidate “open to any ideas.”He explained: “I also believe that I am the only one dedicated to increasing student activism and participation in government.”

Mariel Jorgensen (COL ’16)

When asked why she is running for GUSA, Mariel Jorgensen said, “I am interested in having a leadership role in the campus community and I want to be able to influence social life, academic life, and extracurricular life and how they interact.”

Jorgensen hopes to be a Government major in the College. She believes that the biggest issue is gaining better resources for clubs as well as introducing more networking between clubs. She explained that “the opportunities will be greater if there is more interaction between clubs, and I think that GUSA can facilitate that.”

She believes her sense of humor is what distinguishes her from the other candidates in the race. She also believes in a commitment to getting input from people, and wants “direct involvement with classmates.” She desires to bring their ideas to the table and work on a better community for all of Georgetown University.

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Here we present the candidates for Village C East. This district will have one spot for a senator. Three students are running.

Robert Shepherd (MSB ’15)

Shepherd is running for reelection to the GUSA Senate from Village C East because he is “determined to set and achieve realistic goals and foster a positive Georgetown experience for everyone.”

Whereas many other candidates identify campus life issues as their primary concerns, Shepherd puts more focus on the classroom. In an email to  Vox he wrote that he wants “support for academic life and research (to increase students’ opportunities and the value of the Georgetown degree).”

Shepherd points to his work ethic and institutional knowledge as his best attributes.  He writes “(a) my knowledge of the language of GUSA and of the school’s inner administrative workings and (b) my willingness to devote long hours and strenuous effort to the students’ cause” set him apart from other candidates.

As for his previous term, Shepherd lists “ (a) being accessible to everyone in my district and listening to their concerns and (b) being voted by the Senate to the Finance and Appropriations Committee,” as his top accomplishments.

Megan Murday (SFS ’15)

When you pick up your GUSA ballot, Murday wants you to “think M&M’s: Vote Megan Murday to improve Meals and Maintenance!”

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Here are the candidates for the single senate seat representing LXR. There are three candidates in the race.

Zach Singer (SFS ’15)

Zach Singer (SFS ‘15) is an International Politics major running to represent LXR Hall. Calling himself “the only experienced GUSA candidate in the LXR election,” much of his pitch is based on his past accomplishments in the Senate.

“As the vice-chair of the Finance and Appropriations committee last year and a sitting member on the New South Student Center committee, I know how to advocate for students and make the goals of LXR’s residents happen,” he wrote in an email.

When asked about his accomplishments last semester, Singer pointed to his work on the FinApp committee again.

“I am proud of my accomplishments in the Finance and Appropriations committee,” he wrote. “Last year I helped SAC gain 66% more funding than their previous budget. Every student on the Hilltop will benefit from this larger budget. However, I am most proud of the bill I authored with Ben Weiss that created a financial aid program for GUSA Senate Elections. I believe every student who wants to run for GUSA should be given a chance, and that’s why I authored that bill.”

Singer says speaking up for students remains his top priority this time around.

“My main issue is student advocacy,” he wrote,“whether that means encouraging student-run businesses to be able to compete on campus, or advocating for the rights of every club, or making sure the burden of proof is raised to clear and convincing. Students need strong advocates in GUSA and I know how to be one.”

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