ASUSU: Academic VP
Running for academic vice president are Marci Bird, a sophomore majoring in math education, and Ericka Ensign, a senior majoring in political science and international relations.
Bird, who has been on the Academic Council for the last two years, is running for academic vice president because she wants to improve the academic environment on campus and meet students’ wants and needs.
“If students want to see something change I want them to know that they can come to the academic vice president,” Bird said.
Bird feels she is a good candidate for the position because she was on the Academic Council and has seen what works and what doesn’t.
If elected Bird plans to continue to enhance the Academic Opportunity Fund which provides students with money for off-campus academic experiences such as conferences. Bird would also like to create a Web site for undergraduate students that would post such off-campus opportunities so students could be better aware of their opportunities.
If elected, Bird would also like to see teacher evaluations posted online to let students know what other students think of professors, courses, need for the textbook and so on. Bird also promises to create a scholarship database online that would list all USU scholarships students can apply for because she feels many students are unaware of what is available to them.
Bird also plans to continue working on library issues such as getting more textbooks put on reserve, would like to see the Honor Code changes pass and will continue to push forcollege involvement.
Ensign said her experience makes her the best candidate for academic vice president. Ensign has been on the Academic Council, Ombudsman, Public Affairs Board, Utah Intercollegiate Assembly, Academic Opportunity Fund Allocation, Golden Key Honor Society and the Political Science Honor Society.
“I love doing this. I don’t want the scholarship, I don’t want the recognition, I just love it,” Ensign said.
If elected Ensign wants to instigate two “reading days” during No Test Week before finals. Other Utah universities have reading days which are days off to study right before finals.
Ensign would also like to see a committee of students put together to overlook professor tenure and put in a student voice. She also plans to continue to promote and improve the Academic Opportunity Fund. Ensign would also continue to work on Academic Honesty and said she is willing to look into any type of concern students might have.
Ensign said she views focusing on legislation as very important, and feels the best way to know the needs of Utah State students is to get many students involved and delegate responsibility so more gets done.