SGA Discusses Safety Vans, Gender-Blind Housing

The Student Government Association held a shorter Monday night meeting than usual after a Barnard financial forum with Vice President of Finance Greg Brown. EcoReps, gender-blind housing, and security vans are just a few of the issues on members’ minds.

Although the previous one call, one drop-off policy of the Barnard security vans was unpopular, some Barnard students have also expressed dissatisfaction with the new multiple pick-up system. SGA President Sarah Besnoff, BC ’09, said she plans to meet with the Barnard director of safety and security to address student issues.

A proposal for gender-blind housing is among the suggestions for new housing policies that members of the Barnard College Diversity Committee are planning to discuss with Residential Life and Housing and Barnard College Dean Dorothy Denburg. The Diversity Committee also resolved to encourage student groups to participate in the upcoming annual Welcome Weekend, which invites students from economically challenged areas to visit Barnard.

The EcoReps mentioned their concerns over campus water bottle usage, noting that campus institutions such as Java City may prove resistant to efforts to reduce sales of their best-selling product. A senior gift, council members suggested, may include an improved water fountain to increase non-bottled water availability. A meeting with President Debora Spar also brought up the possibility of creating a student wish list for green initiatives on campus.