On Wednesday evening, Bowdoin Student Government (BSG) convened in the Mills Hall event space to vote on amendments to the Treasury Chartering Commission’s (TCC) guidelines, ask President Safa Zaki questions and assess a funding proposal from the men’s ice hockey team and the Bowdoin Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (BSAAC).

Zaki responded to student questions about the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity, explaining that the unrestricted $50 million gift will be predominantly allocated to hiring faculty across different departments.

Zaki asserted that “investment in human power” through student research, intentional and thought-provoking courses and cross-disciplinary programs remain paramount in the College’s approach to artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, Zaki promoted her desire for student engagement in conversations about difficult topics on campus, including the Viewpoint Exchange series.

BSG’s discussion with Zaki also touched upon food waste at campus events and future campus renovation possibilities.

Next, BSG passed a trio of TCC guideline amendments advocated by BSG Charterer Tyler McGrath ’28. The adjustments allow for up to four at-large representatives to serve on the TCC, which will bring the TCC’s guidelines in line with BSG guidelines. The TCC will additionally require two student leaders, one of whom is not a senior, to submit new club applications in the fall semester to ensure club longevity through non-senior involvement.

The approved guidelines also replaced the TCC’s “conditional approval” of new clubs, which previously let the TCC approve a club on the condition that they made specific changes, with an option to table or postpone approval in hopes of encouraging clubs to take initiative in resolving concerns rather than BSG mandating compliance.

The second vote concerned a proposal for BSG sponsorship of a food truck at the men’s hockey game against Salve Regina University on December 13 to encourage student attendance and participation in the team’s cancer-fighting fundraiser. BSG members hesitated due to the proposed $2,500 expense, along with reservations regarding student attendance at a non-conference athletic event.

While BSG did not pass the proposal, BSG expressed support for the team’s fundraising endeavor and evaluated other possible contributions, including a monetary donation.

BSG Chair of the Treasury Chase Lenk ’26 concluded the meeting by seeking input on his recent proposal to update the Treasury Funding Commission’s (TFC) guidelines for club event food, which was not passed during the November 25 meeting.

While Lenk emphasized that the intent of the changes is to clarify standards for food-related funding, various BSG members expressed concerns about limiting funds for clubs that depend on culturally significant meals for community bonding.