ASUSU approves resolution to limit parking permits
The Associated Students of Utah State University Executive Council found time in one of its last meetings to look at five pieces of legislation and pass a motion that approved compensation changes for next year’s officers.
But before legislation began, Vice President for Business Ron Godfrey announced to the group that VISA will not be able to be accepted by the university this fall.
“We were taken on a ride,” Godfey said of the company that originally made it appear accepting VISA would be possible.
Godfey assured the council that the administration has not not given up on the matter.
In legislation, the council failed a bill sponsored by Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Senator Brandon Halford that was intended to promote fiscal responsibility by prohibiting elected student leaders, who will take office the following year, from spending money left over from current officer’s accounts. The money would be returned to the ASUSU general fund.
Kathy Leslie, activities vice president and opponent of the bill, said she felt allowing newly elected officers to spend left over money to better the program was in the best interest of the students.
Archibald said the bill would just create more “red tape.”
Another bill presented by Halford was read and will be voted on next week. This bill will require all groups receiving funding through the capital and support fund to come back to the council and show how the money was spent. Halford said there is currently no accountability required of groups after they have been given a check.
A resolution to support the parking department’s proposal to limit student [B] lot parking passes was also approved. B permits could not be limited to 250 percent of the available number of parking spaces.
Currently, the situation has become so bad, the permits are called “hunting permits,” said Al Lambert, sponsor of the bill and ASUSU student advocate.
The council passed a resolution that will encourage the Registrar’s Office to return course fee infomration to Banner and the online course catalog. Currently, Lambert said there has been discussion that has removed that information from those sources.
The council also approved a bill that will require future councils to provde a policy paper with each that comes to the table.
Bryson Smith, Business College senator, said this will ensure future bills will be better researched.
After extensive debate, and with a 12-2 vote, members of ASUSUEC approved the compensation rates for next year’s officers. Most of the offices did not receive a substantial raise, but there was discussion about how much to pay the newly created positions.
All positions will receive full tution waivers and fees, except for the administrative assistant who will not recieve a tuition waiver. In addition, each officer will recieve a monthly stipend.
The public relations officers and members of the Executive Council will receive $200 per month. The president and administrative assistant will recieve $300 per month. Each senator and chair will recieve $125 per month.
-bnelson@cc.usu.edu