2025 Voter guide

Sponsor: Student Government Association Office of the President

Ballot Question:
The question you’re being asked to answer.

“To promote sustainable student organization funding, should the Student Government Association be permitted to annually recommend an increase to the Student Activity Fee of up to the percent growth in fully-recognized organizations in addition to the current standard of the Consumer Price Index plus 2%?”

Introductory Clauses:
This is the context as to why the question is being asked.

“WHEREAS: Since its creation in 1983, the Student Activity Fee has served as the premiere fund promoting a vibrant campus and allowing undergraduate students of all backgrounds to participate in enriching extracurricular activities; AND

WHEREAS: over the last three years, the number of fully-recognized student organizations increased from 332 in 2022 to 422 now; AND

WHEREAS: the massive expansion of organizations came during a period of high inflation, with prices increasing 13% between January 2022 and January 2025, according to the the Consumer Price Index; AND

WHEREAS: the combination of high costs and limited funding restricts the programming student organizations can host; AND

WHEREAS: the mission of the Student Government Association is to enrich “Student Life and the overall Northeastern experience,” meaning that it is the responsibility of the Student Government Association to ensure the Student Activity Fee is sufficient to foster a vibrant campus; AND

WHEREAS: increasing the Student Activity Fee by more than the Consumer Price Index plus 2% requires the support of the student body in a referenda”

Operative Clauses:
This is the proposed actions to be taken if the referendum passes.

“THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Effective upon passage, each year, the Student Government Association shall have the power to increase the Student Activity Fee by up to the Consumer Price Index plus 2% plus the percent growth in fully-recognized clubs during the previous year;

AND FURTHER THAT: For the first adjustment only, the Student Government Association shall have the power to increase the Student Activity Fee by up to the Consumer Price Index plus 2% plus the percent growth in full-recognized clubs between January 2021 and when the change is enacted.”

Sponsor: Student Government Association Campus Affairs Division

Ballot Question:
The question you’re being asked to answer.

“Should a commission with the power to select, install, and remove Public Art at Northeastern be formed with student, administrative, and faculty representatives?”

Introductory Clauses:
This is the context as to why the question is being asked.

“WHEREAS: Public art plays a critical role in building a vibrant global network of campuses by strengthening the connection between students, the University, and surrounding communities; AND

WHEREAS: ensuring public art resonates with students, alumni, and the broader community requires considering each perspective throughout the planning process; AND

WHEREAS: even as Northeastern’s public art initiative enters its tenth year, decisions on public art selection and placement are made by the university administration; AND

WHEREAS: the lack of involvement from all stakeholders has resulted in art installations incongruous with the surround environment and student use of spaces, such as “Rooted” obstructing the words “Northeastern” on Ell Hall, even as taking a graduation photo with “Northeastern” in the background is one of the few traditions on the Boston campus; AND

WHEREAS: recognizing that a mix of unilateral administrative decision-making and insufficient feedback mechanisms have caused public art installations incongruous with the University’s mission, it is necessary to establish a representative body to govern the Public Art initiative; AND

WHEREAS: it is the responsibility of the Student Government Association to “serve as the voice of the undergraduate student body” and “promote student interests within the University and its surrounding communities,” the Student Government Association has a duty to establish this commission;”

Operative Clauses:
This is the proposed actions to be taken if the referendum passes.

“THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: a Public Art Commission will be created as the body charged with the power to select, install, and remove Public Art from all of the University’s global campuses;

AND FURTHER THAT: the Public Art Commission will be composed of members of the university administration, members of the Student Government Association, and members of the faculty;”

Sponsor: Jonathan Kopel

Ballot Question:
The question you’re being asked to answer.

“Should Northeastern reinstate the noise gradient in Snell Library, with the first floor being a collaboration zone and the fourth floor being a "silent" zone?”

Introductory Clauses:
This is the context as to why the question is being asked.

“Before the major recent renovations to Snell Library, it was generally accepted that the first floor was a collaboration floor, and as you went up the floors, the noise level decreased. The fourth floor was considered to be a "silent zone" with absolutely no talking, allowing students on that floor to have a quiet place to study.

During construction, these conventions were lost since it was difficult to maintain "silence" during renovation. However, now that renovations are completed and the amount of collaboration spaces have increased, these conventions have not been reimplemented by Snell Library staff or the general student body.”

Operative Clauses:
This is the proposed actions to be taken if the referendum passes.

“Northeastern should re-put up signs throughout Snell detailing the noise restrictions on each floor, reinstating the previous noise gradient in the building. Additionally, in the past, you were able to call/approach the front desk and alert them if someone was violating these rules. This protocol could be reimplemented.”

Sponsor: Adia Madden

Ballot Question:
The question you’re being asked to answer.

“Should Northeastern establish a dedicated campus transportation service for mobility impaired students to ensure that they can access classes and campus resources more easily and on time?”

Introductory Clauses:
This is the context as to why the question is being asked.

“Currently on campus, there is an absence of transportation services for those who are injured and on crutches. A multitude of students can end up on crutches during the school year for a wide variety of different reasons. The Northeastern campus is 73 acres and traverses hectic Huntington Avenue. On average, a student has to walk about 10-15 minutes to get to class from any of the on-campus dorms. This is a particularly daunting task with crutches; presenting issues such as underarm pain, extra exertion, and the struggle of balancing a backpack. Walking, especially crossing the street, takes longer with crutches and adds congestion to the already busy foot traffic around campus. As a university with almost 16,000 undergraduate students, there is an immense need for there to be a system in place to help those on crutches get to class on time.
On Northeastern Oakland’s campus, there is a golf cart disability service for those who are on crutches or have mobility impairments. This has proved to be very beneficial to a majority of students. Boston College, just several miles away, has a disability van service called “Eagle Escorts” to transport physically impaired students across campus. Boston College provides a list of students who are granted the services to the campus police department. When needed, a student calls a special phone number extension of BC’s police department and a police car is dispatched to assist with transportation.
As a university with such high tuition, students are paying for both an education and the opportunity to use the university’s varied resources.”

Operative Clauses:
This is the proposed actions to be taken if the referendum passes.

“To fix this issue, there needs to be an expansion of Northeastern’s current safety escort services. It would follow the same structure, but could be navigated through the disability services accommodation portal. After being approved for the accommodation, the student would be given a phone number to access the services for the duration they are on crutches.
The Disability Services at Northeastern Boston's campus are only permitted to offer extra time to get to class or the Red Eye service for students with mobility issues. It is important to note that the Red Eye service operates from 5pm to 6am and only transports students off campus while half the student body resides on Northeastern's campus. Therefore, this service disregards half of Northeastern students while providing limited and inconvenient hours.
In order to make injured students feel supported, we must expand our disability services to accommodate all students and their various needs.”

Sponsor: Daniel Zeng and Student Government Association Campus Services Committee

Ballot Question:
The question you’re being asked to answer.

“Should there be a direct airport shuttle from Northeastern University to Logan Airport for university-recognized breaks?”

Introductory Clauses:
This is the context as to why the question is being asked.

“86% of students surveyed who travel home for breaks, fly
57.4% of students surveyed shared that they spent excessive amounts of money on rideshare services
94% of students surveyed say they would actually utilize this service should it be implemented
Airport shuttle infrastructure already exists in other Boston area schools, one of them being Boston College that runs seasonal shuttles by the UGBC to Logan Airport that transport students effectively.”

Operative Clauses:
This is the proposed actions to be taken if the referendum passes.

“1. Full-time shuttle service functioning during long breaks in the academic year to transport students from Northeastern’s campus to Logan Airport.
2. Shuttle will run directly before university-recognized breaks, including Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break, as well as the end of each semester.”