JHU SGAThe 114th Session

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Bylaws Amendment: Choosing the CSAC Representative

Bill / Bylaws amendment · 114th session · dated October 13, 2026 · updated November 8, 2026

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Senate
of the
Student Government Association
of
The Johns Hopkins University
{ S. Bill. 114.10.13.26-1 }
A Bill to Amend The Bylaws of the Senate
Selection of the SGA Representative to CSAC
Introduced by: Paul Woo
Sponsored by: Shreemann Patel and Jackson Morris
Presented for First Reading this 13th day of October in the year 2026

SECTION 1. TITLE.

This Act may be referred to as the CSAC Representative Bill

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.

  1. SGA — The term “SGA” shall refer to the Student Government Association of The Johns Hopkins University.
  2. JHU, Hopkins, University — The terms “JHU”, “Hopkins”, and “University” shall refer to the Johns Hopkins University.
  3. Bylaws — The term “Bylaws” shall refer to the Bylaws of the Senate of SGA.
  4. CSAC — The term CSAC shall refer to the Cross-Institutional Student Advisory Committee.

SECTION 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

  1. CSAC is the University’s chief student advisory body.
  2. CSAC primarily consists of representatives from all divisional student governance organizations at JHU, as well as a minority of at-large members from any division who are selected by JHU administrators through an application process.
  3. SGA represents the largest constituency of any organization represented on CSAC. Using the most recently published statistics, SGA represents approximately 5,247 students. The next largest constituency belongs to the Homewood Graduate Representative Organization, which has two representatives and collectively represents 2,500-3,674 students.
  4. At present, the SGA Constitution, Bylaws, and Senate Rules Bill lack a process for selecting SGA’s representative.
  5. SGA has a permanent representative to CSAC; however, the position was not filled by a Senator or elected Executive Cabinet member after the start of the 2026-2027 SGA term in April 2026, and remained as such until October 2026. . During the duration of the vacancy, it was not clear what member of SGA was responsible for appointing the CSAC representative, nor what duties were required of the CSAC representative. This led the Student Body President to appoint a member of the Senate as CSAC representative to fulfill the immediate need for a CSAC representative. On X date, Student Body President Jason Yu appointed Sophomore Class President and Chair of Student Services Veda Kommineni as CSAC representative for the 114th SGA.
  6. While President Kommineni’s appointment as CSAC representative resolved the immediate issue of the vacant representative role, several questions remain regarding the duties of the CSAC representative and how selection will work in future years.
    1. What is the duty of the CSAC representative?
    2. How will SGA ensure that the CSAC representative is appropriately briefed ahead of CSAC meetings?
    3. How will SGA ensure that the CSAC representative disseminates knowledge following CSAC meetings?
    4. How can SGA hold the CSAC representative accountable?
  7. For the 115th SGA and beyond, what member of SGA should serve as the CSAC representative?The Bylaws charge the Student Body President and Student Body Vice President with various duties related to inter–governance body communications and advocacy.
    1. Bylaws Article 3 § 2.1.1.1 charge the Student Body President with serving as the spokesperson of SGA.
    2. Bylaws Article 3 § 2.1.1.2 task the Student Body President to “Organize[] and attend[] meetings with Administrators.”
    3. Bylaws Article 3 § 2.1.1.5 task the Student Body President to “Ensure[] regular communication with their counterparts in the [KSAS/WSE] Graduate Student Organization[s] (GRO) by meeting with the co-chairs of the GRO at the beginning of each semester.”
    4. Bylaws Article 3 § 2.1.2.7 task the Student Body Vice President to “Foster[] communication with the governing bodies of other divisions of the University (e.g., GRO, CSAC, JHUC).”
    5. The bylaws charge the vice president with “[fostering] communication with the governing bodies of other divisions of the University (e.g., GRO, CSAC, JHUC).”
  8. The CSAC representative should be a member of SGA who can properly articulate the interests of the undergraduate student body, act as a spokesperson of the student body, and drive cross-institutional advocacy.
  9. Four options exist:
    1. A member of the executive (President, VP) is mandated to be the CSAC representative ex officio. There will be a process for electing an alternative CSAC representative in the case that the role cannot be fulfilled by the assigned officer.
    2. The POTS announces and explains the duties of the position, senators should announce their candidacy to be the CSAC representative, and the senate will vote to elect the CSAC representative.
    4. The executive can select one of their own members, or designate a senator who they feel collaborates and aligns with their vision.
    5. Any member of SGA can announce their candidacy and the senate will vote to elect the CSAC representative.
  10. Other amendments: Role of SBP, SBVP + Role of CSAC rep (pre-meeting briefing by Senate + Exec, post-meeting GBM update) + revocation of role + vacancy voting procedures.

SECTION 4. AMENDMENTS

SENATE BYLAWS
CURRENT LANGUAGEPROPOSED LANGUAGE
Option i: section 4.1.6: Elections for Senatorial Leadership Positions (no mention of the CSAC representative)Option ii: Article 3 Section 2Optioniii: Section 3.2.2 Fosters communication with the governing bodies of other divisions of the University (e.g., GRO, CSAC, JHUC).Option iv: Section 4.1.6: Elections for Senatorial Leadership Positions (no mention of the CSAC representative)Option i: 4.1.6.5 Within the first 3 general body meetings of the new SGA, the president of the senate should announce and explain the position of CSAC representative. The president of the senate will then ask for candidates at the same meeting or the next, senators should announce their candidacy, and the entire senate will vote, in a method of their choosing, to appoint a candidate as the CSAC representative. The CSAC representative may resign willingly or be removed from their position by a motion of the senate. Option ii: Article 3 Section 2 The Student Body President will serve as the SGA’s representative to the CSAC, who represents the SGA and Homewood undergraduate student body. In the case that the Student Body President has a substantiated and unavoidable conflict that prevents them from being SGA’s CSAC representative, the Student Body Vice President will serve as SGA’s CSAC Representative. This role will be made clear to candidates for Student Body President and Vice President during elections. If the Student Body Vice President has a substantiated and unavoidable conflict that prevents them from being SGA’s CSAC representative, the President of the Senate shall facilitate an internal election where any senator or member of the President’s Cabinet may announce their candidacy to be SGA’s CSAC representative, and the Senate shall delegate the representative by majority vote. any member of the Legislative or Executive who occupies an elected position may announce their candidacy for SGA’s CSAC representative. These roles will bewill be written into the official expectations of the Student Body President and Student Body Vice President and will be made clear to candidates during elections. As this expectation did not exist at the time of their elections, the executive board of the 114th SGA is exempt from this requirement, and the CSAC representative will be elected by a vote of the senate, in which all members holding elected positions in the Executive or Legislative branch may run. Optioniii: 3.2.2.1 The Vice President can serve as the SGA’s representative to the CSAC, or may delegate another member of the executive or senate to serve as the CSAC representative, if the delegate accepts the position. Option iv: 4.1.6.5 Within the first 3 general body meetings of the new SGA, the president of the senate should announce and explain the position of CSAC representative. The president of the senate will then ask for candidates at the same meeting or the next, and any member of the SGA may announce their candidacy. The entire senate will vote, in a method of their choosing, to appoint a candidate as the CSAC representative. The CSAC representative may resign willingly or be removed from their position by a motion of the senate. … New Article of the Bylaws to govern the CSAC representative [To make things much easier, I would suggest creating a new article in the Bylaws. This would become the new article 7 and displace all downstream articles (the current articles 7 and 8) down by one]: Article 7. SGA Representative to CSAC. 7.1 Expectations 7.1.1 As long as the Cross-Institutional Student Advisory Committee (CSAC) is in existence, it is the expectation of SGA that SGA will be allocated at least one representative (“SGA Representative”) on CSAC who will serve at the pleasure of the Senate. 7.1.2 The SGA Representative is first and foremost a member of SGA, and shall endeavor to act in the best interests of Homewood undergraduate students in their service on CSAC. Second, they are a Hopkins student, and shall endeavor to act in the best interests of students at Hopkins. Finally, they are a member of the Hopkins community, and shall endeavor to act in the best interests of the composite JHU community. 7.2 Duties 7.2.1 The SGA Representative shall keep SGA aware abreast of CSAC’s operations. 7.2.1.1 At a GBM at least 7 days prior to a CSAC meeting, the SGA Representative shall address the Senate during non-legislative business to communicate the agenda of the coming CSAC meeting. 7.2.1.1.1 The SGA Representative shall use the update to identify and interface with members of SGA who are working in areas or on initiatives germane to the items on CSAC’s agenda. 7.2.1.1.2 Other members of SGA will endeavor to reach out to and brief the CSAC representative so that they are best prepared for the coming CSAC meeting. 7.2.1.2 At meetings of CSAC, the SGA Representative will request that minutes of discussion are taken or take their own minutes where possible. 7.2.1.3 At the next GBM following a CSAC meeting, the SGA Representative shall address the Senate during cabinet reports to share updates from the CSAC meeting. If the SGA member’s roles require them to report in another capacity (e.g. Student Body President), they will provide two separate updates during this time. 7.3 Selection and Succession 7.3.1 The position of SGA Representative shall default to the Student Body President. This is an official duty of their office and should not be delegated to another member if at all possible. 7.3.1.1 If the Student Body President is unable to make a CSAC meeting, the Student Body Vice President shall serve as Acting SGA Representative and endeavor to attend in their place. They will be tasked to update the body thereafter. 7.3.1.2 If neither the Student Body President nor the Student Body Vice President are able to attend a CSAC meeting, the President of the Senate will be tasked with selecting an Acting SGA Representative for that meeting from the Senate and Executive Branch at their discretion. 7.3.2 If the Student Body President believes they are unable to fulfill the role of CSAC Representative, they may submit a motion to the Senate explaining why they cannot fulfill the role of SGA Representative and requesting to yield the role to the Student Body Vice President. This motion requires a majority vote to pass. If passed, the Student Body Vice President will become the SGA Representative. 7.3.2.1 If the Student Body Vice President believes they are unable to fulfill the role of CSAC Representative, they may submit a motion to the Senate explaining why they cannot fulfill the role of SGA Representative and requesting to yield the role. This motion requires a majority vote to pass. If passed, the Senate will select the SGA Representative. 7.3.2.1.1 Any member of the Senate or elected member 7.4 Attendance Expectations 7.1.1 As long as the Cross-Institutional Student Advisory Committee (CSAC) is operating, it is the expectation of SGA that SGA will be allocated at least one representative on CSAC who will serve at the pleasure of the Senate as SGA’s Representative to CSAC. 7.1.2 SGA may be empowered by the University to appoint multiple representatives. In this case, the Senate shall select X 7. What is the duty of the CSAC representative? How will SGA ensure that the CSAC representative is appropriately briefed ahead of CSAC meetings? How will SGA ensure that the CSAC representative disseminates knowledge following CSAC meetings? How can SGA hold the CSAC representative accountable? For the 115th SGA and beyond, what member of SGA should serve as the CSAC representative? process for selecting the SGA CSAC representative, assigning them duties, revoking representative status, and filling a vacancy in the position. .
3.2.2.7 Fosters communication with the governing bodies of other divisions of the University (e.g., GRO, CSAC, JHUC).3.2.2.7 Fosters communication with the governing bodies of other divisions of the University (e.g., GRO, CSAC, JHUC). 3.2.2.7.1. Other appointments to other external advisory boards will be nominated by the student body vice president with confirmation by simple majority vote of the senate. The VP may choose any process to nominate the representative(s). Their selected process may be overturned by 2/3rds vote of the senate.

SECTION 5. ACTION ITEMS.

  1. To be done by Paul Woo before 10/18/2026: After first reading and before the meeting of the Committee on Internal Affairs, Section 4 of this bill should be updated to implement the specific criteria and method of electing the CSAC representative chosen by the senate.

The Amendment is hereby ADOPTED/LOST by a vote of X to X with X abstentions.

Upon passage, we have hereunto set our hands and caused the seal of the Senate to be affixed to this bill indicating the Senate’s assent and thus officially designated the bill’s adoption as law.

Signatures of Enactment:

__________________________________ NAME Student Body President of the Johns Hopkins SGA
__________________________________ NAME Student Body Vice President of the Johns Hopkins SGA
__________________________________ NAME President of the Senate of the Johns Hopkins SGA
__________________________________ NAME Student Body Secretary of the Johns Hopkins SGA
__________________________________ NAME Student Body Treasurer of the Johns Hopkins SGA
__________________________________ NAME Student Body Chair of Programming for the Johns Hopkins SGA

Signatures of Ceremony:

__________________________________ NAME, POSITION
__________________________________ NAME, POSITION
__________________________________ NAME, POSITION
__________________________________ NAME, POSITION