Vice President of Safety and Operations Baxter Goodly fielded Student Government Association senators’ questions about officials’ search for a new GW Police Department chief and Mitchell Hall construction plans at a meeting Monday.
Goodly and Associate Vice President Seth Weinhsel held a 45-minute question and answer period, where SGA senators shared community concerns about construction disturbances for residents in Mitchell Hall and asked for updates on the University’s plan to hire a a new police chief following former GWPD Chief James Tate’s October resignation. Goodly said the third party “wrapped up” its investigation into GWPD’s training protocols and safety and compliance measures during the implementation of arming officers, and University President Ellen Granberg will announce further information in the next two weeks.
Goodly said officials have selected a recruiting company to conduct a nationwide search for GWPD’s next police chief, adding that the police department is still three or four months away from selecting police chief applicants to come to campus and speak with University stakeholders.
Tate’s October resignation came weeks after The Hatchet’s reporting on former GWPD officer’s accounts of gun safety violations, insufficient firearm training and a poor working environment.
“I think GW is going to be an attractive place for potential chiefs,” Goodly said. “I think we’re going to get a lot of quality applicants, and then we’re just gonna have to wait.”
SGA Sen. Julianna Chavez (At large-U) said she lives in Mitchell Hall and students told her there is “constant noise” from machinery, as the construction of the Chick-fil-A in the building’s basement is underway. She added workers on scaffolding are often at eye level to some rooms.
“It seems like the University has proven to be more than negligent through the basic needs of Mitchell Hall residents,” Chavez said. “I’m curious as to how much a priority resident quality of life is when planning construction.”
Chavez said the only elevator leading to the basement in Mitchell Hall — where the laundry room is located — has been broken since December. She said the building’s wheelchair ramp leads to the basement, which prevents wheelchair users from accessing the main floor.
Goodly said he was not aware of the broken elevator prior to Chavez’s question and that he plans to work with facilities to fix the issue.
SGA senators unanimously passed the Virginia Science and Technology Student Experience Survey Act to identify concerns about the poor condition of some campus facilities and a lack of a sense of community among students on the Virginia Science and Technology Campus. SGA Sen. Jamaul Weaver (SMHS-U), who sponsored the act, said the survey will serve as a foundation for policy recommendations to officials to improve student experience at VSTC.
“A comprehensive survey will allow us not only to provide the data necessary to validate these concerns but also serve as a tool for student advocacy and institutional improvement,” Weaver said.
The SGA Senate also approved amendments to the body’s governing document. SGA Pro Tempore Liz Stoddard said the changes — which include the addition of term limits for student court justices and formally declaring the role of vice president as a position within the legislative branch — serve to further align the body with their charter and establish consistency in the organization of membership for future SGA terms.
Kalah Neal and Devin Tennant who serve as the president and vice president of the Black Student Union respectively presented to the SGA Senate about this month’s programming for Black History Month and the upcoming finale event this Friday. Neal said this year’s finale theme is Y2K formal attire and the event is open to all students including those from other universities, like Howard and the University of D.C.
“We have this opportunity to let loose and celebrate the accomplishments of each other and the hard work that was put into celebrating this month,” Neal said.
SGA senators confirmed Edward Kemelmakher, a senior at the Elliott School of International Affairs, as vice chair of the Joint Elections Commission, which oversees the SGA’s annual election. He said he served as the chief investigator on the JEC last year, and plans to prioritize ensuring the election runs smoothly with few bylaw violations from candidates and high voter turnout.
“I want to make sure that we’re not really having by-law violations days before the election,” Kemelmakher said.
The SGA confirmed Rohan Singh, a junior studying math, as the JEC’s finance commissioner. Singh said he plans to focus on managing the JEC’s “limited budget” and advocating for a reserve budget for the commission each year to ensure a stable budgeting process.
The SGA Senate confirmed Kenan Orlovic, a sophomore studying computer engineering, for communications commissioner of the JEC. Orlovic said his experience in similar roles for club golf and basketball, and his work for GW athletics, will help him create graphics for the commission.
The SGA approved Zuleiry Santana Rodriguez, Punam Chopra and Devi Annamreddy for graduate senator seats representing the School of Business and GW Law respectively, leaving three remaining vacancies in the senate.
SGA senators also approved Ethan Stocker as a legislative adviser to the Graduate Education Policy Committee. Stocker said his experience in local government at both the county and municipal level will translate to his work with the SGA when drafting policy for the committee.
“I am really committed to give back to the community here at GW that gave so much to me already,” Stocker said.
The SGA will hold their next meeting March 24 in West Hall on the Mount Vernon Campus at 8 p.m.
