CSG recalls six representatives and discusses summer budget amid growing divide

The University of Michigan Central Student Government met over Zoom Thursday evening to discuss motions to recall representatives, the spring-summer 2024 budget, lecture capture technology and the growing political divide within CSG. 

LSA representatives Lillian Conybeare, Sarah Hossain, Drin Shapiro, Ayat Tolba and Fahmida Rahman and Rackham representative Melisa Hussain were recalled unanimously due to excessive absences. 

After the recalls had been completed, the quorum, or the number of members required to maintain the meeting, went from 23 to 20. There was a call to retake attendance because there was contention as to whether this new number was met. After attendance was taken, there were 20 members present, meeting quorum.

Resolution AR 14-007, which requires monthly DEI training for all CSG members from September 2024 to February 2025, was introduced. DEI coordinator Julia Odhiambo, an LSA sophomore, sponsored this resolution and said the training would be important for the whole student body. 

“These trainings aim to build understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion,” Odhiambo said. “(They) help us create an ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive committed community within such a student government and for the broader student body that we represent.”

Vice President Elias Atkinson, an LSA sophomore, shared concerns about the meeting taking place during Eid al-Adha. He said having the meeting during a religious holiday that many Muslim students celebrate goes against the inclusive values CSG claims to be committed to.

“Does anyone find it ironic that at this assembly meeting, that we’ve ensured was scheduled during a religious holiday, we have a resolution that proposes monthly DEI training?” Elias said. “Does anyone find that absurd and hypocritical? I think the alleged championing of DEI at CSG is shallow and performative.”

Resolution AR 14-004 was passed unanimously, calling on the University to expand lecture capture technology in order to promote accessibility in the classroom. The resolution states that students should have the right to access lecture capture technology and alleges the University is entertaining conversations on reducing the feature in classrooms on all campuses.

Law representative Vincent Pinti, first-year Law student, said he had some ideas to put forth in the future that would prioritize accessibility on campus. 

“I’m actually interested in sponsoring some disability and access-related initiatives,” Pinto said. “So I’m really looking forward to that. To preview, I’d really like to work on doing some more support for student caregivers, because that’s a really important community to me, and it’s actually a large and growing community. I would like to do some more things to make parts of campus more accessible.”

After amendments were made, resolution AR 14-005, outlining the spring-summer 2024 budget was passed unanimously. In an email to The Michigan Daily, Speaker Mario Thaqi, an LSA junior, wrote that there were concerns with budget allocation but the budget could be amended at any time. 

“In the future, representatives could propose budget amendments to change the initial allocations in order to better reflect changing priorities, like giving money to the Executive (Account),” Thaqi said. 

Resolutions Vice Chair Margaret Peterman, an LSA freshman, reiterated the growing divide in CSG and the importance of not maintaining political parties. 

“We really should not be identifying ourselves based on party lines,” Petermen said. “Your job is to vote what you think is best for the students and what’s for the school and not to associate with any specific party. CSG is not really meant to have solidified parties. And that’s one of the beauties of it.”

Thaqi thanked members for their continued participation during the unprecedented transition process of a new assembly with few incumbents. 

“We want to make sure you guys feel supported in this assembly,” Thaqi said. “Because you know, it is a big learning curve, especially for our new representatives. Only seven people in this assembly were present in the last assembly. And that’s kind of unheard of. It’s fantastic as well, getting all these new people in the assembly and hopefully some new ideas.”

Summer News Editor Edra Timmerman can be reached at edrakmt@umich.edu.

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