The Student Government Association Senate unanimously approved legislation to streamline its meetings and confirmed five students to senior positions withinin the body at the first full SGA Senate meeting of the semester Monday.
SGA Sen. Sophie Leinenkugel, who sponsored the Full Senate Streamlining Bill, said the legislation will consolidate the motions for approval of the agenda and minutes into one “consent agenda.” She said the new procedure will help meetings run “more efficiently” by combining the two procedural motions required at the start of the body’s meetings.
“This agenda style is also commonly utilized among most governing bodies across the country,” Leinenkugel said.
The SGA Senate also unanimously passed a bill to amend the Joint Elections Commission’s bylaws ahead of the 2025 SGA election, which is slated for April. The JEC oversees the SGA’s annual election proceedings, which includes certifying election results and investigating misconduct among candidates that violate their annually proposed election rules.
SGA Pro Tempore Liz Stoddard, who sponsored the bill, said she shared the Election Fairness Act with the body in November for a “period of comment,” where SGA senators amended and commented on the bylaws.
“This is really important for when we start gearing up for elections and includes all of the rules and procedures and processes that are involved in elections,” Stoddard said.
Amendments to the bylaws include the addition of definitions for terms like “advisory opinion,” outlines who is eligible to be a member of the JEC and clearly defines the qualifications for a “valid petition” to be submitted from candidates in a given election.
The SGA Senate also approved five new members to the body to assume some of the vacant staff positions in the executive and legislative branches following the departure of former staffers who are studying abroad during the Spring semester.

The SGA Senate confirmed Aiden Young, a junior studying political science and psychology, to take over the role of executive secretary of facilities. Young said he hopes to further the work of the facilities team through initiatives, like remodeling Anniversary Park on F Street and reducing campus paper waste. He said he also wants to expand the SGA’s partnership with the Office of Sustainability to further University composting efforts.
“I believe we can continue making meaningful progress and greatly improving our infrastructure for the GW community, ensuring that future students can enjoy the best possible experiences in the spaces where they live,” Young said.
The SGA Senate also confirmed Ben Wieser to serve as deputy chief of staff for the body’s legislative branch. Wieser said his experience this year as SGA Senate secretary has given him “valuable experience” in the legislative processes, and he will ensure the body remains in compliance with the bylaws. He said he is looking forward to continuing his work assisting SGA Vice President Ethan Lynne oversee the SGA Senate.
Senators approved Aiden Linkov, a freshman majoring in political science, to deputy communications director to the SGA Senate. Linvok said he looks forward to continuing his work of streamlining the SGA website to expand the body’s outreach and keep the students informed on new SGA initiatives.
“I have a significant interest in how social media influences and informs people, that’s why I’m focused on how we can operate and communicate with fellow students on what the SGA is involved in,” Linkov said.
SGA senators approved Michael Sher, a sophomore majoring in political science and data science to the role of deputy chief counselor for the office of senate legal counsel. Sher said his interest in law and policy will aid him in tasks like reforming SGA bylaws in his new role.
“I’m committed to furthering the foundations that our student government was built on and working with my team on various legal projects,” Sher said.
The SGA Senate approved Aicha Sy, a freshman studying political science, to deputy senate diversity, equity and inclusion director. Sy said she is dedicated to listening to students’ concerns and communicating them with SGA leaders.
“I want to ensure that as an organization, we are fulfilling our task of being the best advocates for students,” Sy said.
The next SGA Senate meeting will be Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. in the University Student Center Grand Ballroom.