Student Congress gears up for upcoming school year

At the second Student Congress meeting of the summer Tuesday, Student Body President Christy Lambden announced one step being taken to address the University’s handling of sexual assault cases.

He said the Sexual Assault Task Force reviewing UNC’s policies is now holding all-day meetings every Wednesday.

Lambden invited Student Congress members to attend and get involved in the discussion.

Lambden said the student sexual assault task force created last year has also been active in reviewing the University’s policies.

“Last spring semester, the student task force came out with 27 recommendations in three weeks for amending sexual assault policies on campus,” he said.

Speaker of Student Congress Connor Brady said he is ready to address sexual assault policies in the upcoming school year.

Brady said Congress will also be updating the Honor System during the year, though specifics about the changes have not yet been discussed.

He said Congress is required to meet twice over the summer — once during each session — though it doesn’t set an agenda for the school year until the first congressional meeting at the start of the year.

Student Congress has also been working on other projects over the summer:

• Members have requested funding for Embody Carolina, an eating disorder awareness group.

• The have also submitted a funding request to pay Student Congress clerks who worked in the spring semester.

• Committee chairs and Brady have been preparing for FallFest.

In the fall, Student Congress will also be selecting new appointments.

The application deadline for an appointed position in Student Congress is Aug. 30 at 5 p.m.

Brady said he expects new members to join Student Congress once the new school year begins in the fall.

“I know we have some seats open, so first-year students will be running in those districts,” he said.

“Specifically the South Campus area — Hinton James and Ehringhaus.”

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