COLUMN: The truth about ASUSU
Recently The Statesman has been bombarded with letters “ASUSU: No Responsibility,” “Lose the ASUSUEC,” and “ASUSU Should Talk to Students.”
To Neil, Joel, Clint and anyone else who has written letters to the editor regarding ASUSU, I commend you for voicing your concerns and taking the time to express your feelings. But to all of you, I also ask why don’t you take that time and energy spent writing letters and focus it on educating yourself on what ASUSU does and quit complaining.
FACT or FICTION:
*$200,000 of student fees goes to pay ASUSU scholarships and campaigns.
FICTION: ASUSU scholarships cost USU nothing! The scholarships are actually waivers issued by the state — and they aren’t losing anything — we’re cheap labor. Campaigns come straight out of candidates’ pockets; and they can only spend $400. All ASUSU budgets are public information.
* ASUSU trashed the decision to use 100-percent post-consumer paper.
FICTION: ASUSU passed a resolution (which is nothing more than a recommendation) to higher university officials supporting 100-percent post-consumer paper. However, it is not feasible at this time to make the change, but we are doing what we can.
* ASUSU doesn’t represent the students well.
FICTION: Everything ASUSU does is for you, the students. I will agree that sometimes the lines of communication are fuzzy, but this is a two-way street. Every ASUSU officer has an office with posted office hours, telephone with voice mail, and a computer with e-mail. ASUSU meetings are public and all students are invited to come sit in on the meetings.
Unfortunately, there is a big misconception as to what ASUSU does and what it doesn’t do. The role of the ASUSU Executive Council is to enhance the quality of student life through academics, activities, student concerns, public relations, service, athletics, clubs, organizations and cultural events along with direct college, extension, graduate and student representation.
So the next time you start writing a letter of complaint, why don’t you send it to an ASUSU officer who can help you understand the situation or even solve the problem, instead of just complaining.
Kristen Taylor is the College of Business senator. Comments can be sent to taylor@cc.usu.edu.