Correction on Nov 15, 2024: A previous version of this article reported that Dean Belk threatened the SBA. This article now reports there were allegations that Dean Belk intimidated the SBA.

Even with little on the agenda, much was discussed at the Student Bar Association (SBA) Senate meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 11. GW Law students have been seemingly afflicted with censorship, vandalism, bullying, financial issues, and a Dean of Students office that appears as a recurring figure opposing solutions or meaningful action. Further reporting by Nota Bene is forthcoming regarding several of the particular issues discussed below.

Note: The next and final SBA Senate meeting of the semester will be next week on Nov. 19. This is different from the typical biweekly schedule.

Bullying.

Executive Vice President Nigel Walton announced he received a report that at least some members of the Senate may have been bullying their constituents. Without details, Vice Pres. Walton emphatically denounced bullying as unacceptable and made it known that, if it continued, it would be reported to the University.

Finances — Reimbursements Hurt Budgets.

The University is finally processing reimbursement requests submitted last fiscal year. However, these reimbursements are reportedly being deducted from this year’s budget, totaling $13,000 so far. This growing figure includes deductions from student organizations, the executive, and the professional development fund.

According to Vice President of Finance Amanda Hichez, many organizations’ budgets have dissipated, including three organizations — GW Law Softball Club, First-Gen Professionals, and GW Defenders — whose balances have turned negative after accounting for this year’s allocations. It appears that those organizations in the red are going to have to fundraise unless another solution is found. 

Vice Pres. Hichez proposed that the reimbursement expenses for the professional development fund, about $1,800, be shared evenly between the executive and ad hoc budgets. Sen. Elan Reisner (Day at-Large) suggested that the executive should pay more because it has eight times the budget. Vice Pres. Hichez responded that the cost is less than the Senate gave out in ad hoc at its last meeting and the executive is already assuming additional costs from last year.

Finances — Ad Hoc Funding.

Sen. Marcella Rubini (2L-Cardozo) indicated that in a “long conversation” with Dean of Students Jason Belk, he indicated his office does not have a lot of money. Sen. Rubini suggested that “if Dean Belk likes what ad hoc funding is going towards, he will request more funding that he will then donate to SBA for more ad hoc funding.” The Senate Finance Committee has been drafting guidelines for ad hoc funding approvals that are “Dean Belk’s words, just written” to accommodate him.

Finances — Dean of Students Withholds Funds.

In its initial budgeting, the SBA estimated student fees — allocated by the Student Government Association (SGA) — would bring in $148,000. In mid-October, the actual allocation was about $9,000 greater. Despite the unexpected influx of funds, the Dean of Students has forced SBA to maintain its budget at the initial estimation. Dean Belk has refused to release the additional $9,000 to SBA despite it being student fee money, despite the reimbursement crisis harming student organizations, and despite SBA’s financial straits. Both Vice Pres. Hichez and Sen. Omer Turkomer (2L-Jackson), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, have reached out to Dean Belk requesting the funds be released and the budget balances reflect the $9,000 increase. Both were met with a resounding no.

Censorship and Vandalism.

Vice Pres. Walton announced that for the past two to three weeks, organizations have reported to both SBA and the Dean of Students office that flyers they posted around campus have been deliberately and consistently taken down by others without authorization. According to Senators, affected organizations include Lambda Law — a group focused on LGBTQ+ community and issues — and Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP).

Vice Pres. Walton denounced these actions as they “interfer[e] with organizations’ ability to participate in campus life and communicate with campus community” and may rise to the level of harassment, violating the University Code of Student Conduct. He reminded the Senate that “creating an inclusive campus environment requires recognizing protected classes of people.” Whoever was responsible may face disciplinary action from the University.

Vice Pres. Walton indicated that Dean Belk has declined to take action or share any messaging about the issue. President Cherissa Lindsay met with Dean Belk, who also allegedly intimidated the SBA to stay silent and not share any messaging, purportedly to avoid its getting involved in resolving student conduct violations. SBA leadership indicated that Dean Belk does not plan to check security footage, even though last semester it was the Dean of Students office that discovered who raised the Palestinian flag. “If he could find the people who did that,” Vice Pres. Walton declared, “he can find the people who did this.”

Sen. Rubini suggested students could report the incident to the Title IX office. Senators also discussed the possibility of reporting Dean Belk. One student suggested that a Title IX report had already been filed against Dean Belk, but did not discuss the details of that report. Sens. Reisner and Thaddaeus Canuel (1LE-Jay) suggested the SBA’s relationship would not improve with Dean of Students by further antagonization.

Weekend Windup.

Weekend Windup will be canceled for the rest of the semester due to low turnout. Weekend Windup will resume on a monthly basis next semester.

Fridge Cleanup.

Sen. Rohin Balkundi (3L-Jackson), Chair of the Facilities and Technology Committee, reported that consistent with the night’s “theme that it did not happen,” the facilities staff did not clean the fridges in the Hard Lounge. The fridges remain overflowing, and signage indicated they would be cleaned last week and for students to remove their items by the day before. Sen. Balkundi indicated he would further discuss with the facilities staff and encourage better fridge etiquette. He also discussed the possibility of “bring[ing] more color to the walls” and further beautifying our buildings.

Professional Headshots.

In previous years, the Career Development Office has paid for professional headshot days. Given the recent installment of Associate Dean Suzanne Hard, President Lindsay is working to ensure that costs stay with the office instead of falling on the SBA.

Food Insecurity.

The Senate Student Life Committee has been focused on food insecurity, and leading the charge is Sen. Reisner. All students are invited to complete a survey so the Committee can understand whether GW Law students are facing food insecurity. Last year’s annual student survey indicated at least 20% of respondents faced at least some level of food insecurity. A Thanksgiving lunch to help address the issue is being planned. Sen. Reisner is committed to fighting the stigma around food insecurity. But, based on one individual’s conversations with Dean Belk, the individual claims, “he doesn’t truly care about food insecurity” and suggested students who live alone in a Washington, D.C. apartment are not really food insecure.

Inaugural Ball May Affect Barrister’s Ball.

Sen. Victoria Luckenbaugh (4LE-Jay) suggested that the University’s Inaugural Ball may impact Barrister’s Ball attendance because some students may only go to one or the other, but not both. President Lindsay said she will look into it.