By Benjamin Weiner

For The Diamondback

The SGA discussed plans for DOTS buses to transport students to internships in Annapolis and local grocery stores at its weekly meeting Wednesday night.

Fasika Delessa, academic affairs vice president, updated the Student Government Association on the Department of Transportation Services’ plan to begin taking students to Annapolis in early January.

The pilot program will run Tuesdays and Thursdays, but “the goal is to get it running seven days a week,” said Delessa, a junior management major.

“Hopefully more students will apply to intern with senators in Annapolis knowing they have transportation and don’t need a car,” she said.

SGA President Katherine Swanson discussed having DOTS add local grocery stores as stops on their weekend routes.

Swanson, a senior government and politics major, said she hopes the SGA can partner with grocery stores and have them offset the costs of transportation. The partnership would be mutually beneficial, she said.

Although the project is still in its early stages, Swanson said she hopes the bus routes will be added during the fall semester.

During its meeting, the SGA Finance Committee also voted 8-0 to recommend not funding the Maryland Student Legislature Fall Leadership Training Institute, which will take place on Oct. 8.

Perry Bloch, the financial affairs vice president and a senior computer science and economics major, said the Maryland Student Legislature is not an SGA-recognized organization.

The SGA discussed the recent outburst of clown masks on college campuses as well.

Swanson urged people to call 911 or the non-emergency phone number that can be found on the back of every student ID if they see anyone in a mask.

“There are no clowns in College Park, but if do you see anyone in a mask you should call 911 instead of taking a picture and posting it on Twitter,” Swanson said.