ASUSU officers argue about but pass $1,000 Earth Day donation
A bill granting $1,000 to be used for USU’s Earth Day celebration, one of four bills discussed at ASUSU’s Executive Council meeting April 7, caused a particularly heated discussion between the officers before it was ultimately passed with a vote of six in favor, one opposed and two abstaining.
The bill refers to the Day on the Quad-style event to be held April 22 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., with plans in the works for a benefit concert that evening, said John Rentschler, natural resources senator. Many council members said they felt ASUSU should make an effort to show support of the event by granting the request for funds, which would be used for operational costs such as chairs, microphones, advertising and the purchase of reusable totes and food to be distributed at the event.
Executive Vice President Spencer Lee said the bill was not specific enough because it didn’t indicate how much money would be needed for each of the expenditures.
“I think we should support Earth Day,” Lee said. “I’m not against going green, but I don’t feel that this is the only good option to support the event.”
ASUSU President Tyler Tolson said he feels the event will attract a large number of students who may not ordinarily attend ASUSU-sponsored events, and several other officers agreed that the use of the money was a good representation of students’ interests.
They also emphasized that USU President Stan Albrecht will be speaking at the event and encouraged one another to show support by attending or participating.
Another bill, which was passed from first to second reading item but had yet to reach a final vote, creates a time slot during which no classes will be scheduled so that students can attend events such as daytime convocation, lectures, meetings and other “supplemental educational opportunities.”
The bill states that because student fees largely fund such activities, students should be able to attend them. It also points out that it would make it more feasible for students to attend events professors may offer credit for attending. The class-free time slot, noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, would go into effect August 30, 2011.
The bill was passed quickly after comments of “love it” from Lee, and “I think it’s absolutely genius” from Graduate Student Senate President Rick Kelly.
Another bill authorizing $4,350 toward the purchase of three “Presidio Litter” trash cans was tabled pending further information to be presented at next week’s meeting. The bill states that because Facilities and USU students have expressed a need for additional trash cans, using money from ASUSU’s Capital and Support fund would enable the purchase of more durable trash cans.
The bill also states that after reviewing the proposal, the university’s administration agreed to purchase double the number of trash cans ASUSU buys, bringing the total to nine additional trash cans. They would be placed at predetermined locations around campus by Facilities.
Kelly suggested the possibility of similar bins designated for recycling in place of or in conjunction with the trash cans, because students will often throw recyclable materials in with trash if a recycling bin is not readily accessible. Rentschler said he feels passing the bill would undermine the efforts of the Aggie Recyclers and other such organizations working toward sustainability on campus. Both agreed that the new trash cans were a good idea but that a recycling option would be ideal.
A bill allocating $4,000 to install running water at the Student Organic Farm was also passed to a second reading item and will be voted upon next week. Next week’s meeting will also include a discussion on the ASUSU budget, which the council will recommend to the incoming council for approval.
The council agreed to reconsider the bill after the bill’s sponsor and co-sponsor, Tolson and Administrative Assistant Nate Robinson, respectively, research the possibilities of incorporating recycling into the proposal.
Revised charters for the traditions director and the administrative assistant were passed to second reading items for a vote next week, while a final version of the student advocate’s charter was passed.
– chelsey.gensel@aggiemail.usu.edu