SGA Debates the DOE’s “National Call to Action” and Greenlights New Philanthropy Bills

On Tuesday, September 15, the Johns Hopkins Student Government Association (SGA) gathered for its fourth general‑body meeting of the year. The room buzzed with the usual mix of paperwork, coffee cups, and the faint hum of campus life outside.

The session kicked off with a rundown from the SGA Judiciary Committee. The five‑member panel—still looking to fill two seats—explained how they handle formal complaints, interpret governing documents, and serve as the final appeal for any SGA dispute. In short, they’re the quiet watchdogs of student governance.

Next up was Civic Engagement Committee Chair Jackson Morris, who laid out the Department of Education’s recent “National Call to Action.” A letter from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, dated August 3, asks every university president to release a statement by the end of 2026 on seven hot‑button issues: admissions transparency, free speech, intellectual pluralism, affordability, AI‑driven academic rigor, foreign influence on research, and a U.S.‑first outlook.

Morris gave the group a quick run‑through of each point, noting that most—like tuition transparency and protecting open debate—are clearly worthwhile. He lingered, however, on the last two topics, warning that language about “foreign influence” and “U.S. exceptionalism” could unintentionally marginalize international and immigrant members of the Hopkins community. “The words ‘international’ and ‘immigrant’ aren’t in the letter,” he said, “but the broader political climate makes it hard to ignore them.”

Rather than vote on a position right then, SGA members debated how best to shape the university’s response. A consensus emerged: students should have a seat at the drafting table. Action items included setting up meetings with the Office of the President and the Provost, launching an undergraduate survey, and reaching out to Registered Student Organization (RSO) leaders for feedback. Morris volunteered to coordinate the effort and will serve as the point person for anyone wanting to join the project.

With the national conversation set aside for a moment, the floor turned to campus‑level business. Senators approved a bill to host a prospective student‑organization fair on October 2 at the Beach. The fair will let budding clubs showcase themselves, hand out ice cream, and recruit enough members to qualify for official recognition. Organizers expect more than 200 interested students to attend.

In a separate move, the “Accountability Act” was passed, tightening attendance and reporting requirements for SGA members. The goal? To make sure elected representatives stay connected with their constituencies and keep a clear record of their activities.

Philanthropy also got a spotlight. Senator Mamadou Thiam put forward a request for partial funding of Phi Delta Theta’s fourth annual Crab Fest during Family Weekend. The fraternity argues the event, which served over 500 people last year, raised roughly $10,000 for the LiveLikeLou Foundation—a group that funds ALS research. Some senators raised eyebrows, noting that a surplus of crabs lingered after the previous fest, but the majority voted in favor of the modest subsidy.

Finally, public member Sean Durkis‑Dervogne introduced the “Budget Reporting Act.” If adopted, the SGA treasurer would publish a more detailed spending summary each semester, breaking down expenses by RSO and category while keeping individual organization allocations confidential. The proposal passed with broad support, signaling a push for greater financial transparency.

The meeting wrapped up with the usual thank‑yous and a reminder that student voices will shape how Hopkins answers the federal “Call to Action.” The SGA left the room with a to‑do list, a few new bills on the books, and a renewed sense that student‑run philanthropy can still make a splash—literally and figuratively—on campus.