Committee tables international position debate
A bill that would allow a representative from the International Student Council (ISC) to hold an ex-officio, or non-voting, position on the ASUSU executive council was tabled at the council’s meeting Tuesday.
The International Student Vice President bill calls for the creation of a new board position, called the international representative to “act as the International Student Council President starting Fall 2011 Semester, for the direct representation of International Students and Scholars and the operation of the International Student Council.”
If passed, the International Student Council would also be recognized “as a formal ASUSU organization with all the same rights and privileges thereof.” Graduate Studies Vice President Trevor Nelson, who is sponsoring the bill, said the ISC budget would not be changed.
Christian Orr, ISC president, said the vision of the bill is to “address how international and domestic students can work together through representation.”
Orr said he met with USU President Stan Albrecht about the issues and challenges international students face. In the discussion, he said, it was made clear from the university presidency they will “not only academically and legally meet their needs, but also socially and culturally.”
Orr also explained some goals of the club and said one of the purposes of ISC is to “serve the needs of international students but also domestic students.”
In their discussion of the bill, the council agreed upon requesting that a policy paper, stating the purposes of and context behind the bill, be submitted in connection with an amendment to remove lines within the bill concerning the ISC office location.
Several members of the board agreed the bill is a good move from the ISC. President Tyler Tolson said though he feels international students are under-represented, the bill may not be what ASUSU needs at this time.
“I think there might be some other options,” he said. “This conversation needs to continue.”
Administrative Assistant Keenan Nuehring, said he does feel some apprehension toward passing the bill.
“It scares me a little bit,” he said. “This could open up a can of worms.”
Diversity VP Kaho Fiefia also said he “could see other groups fighting for ex-officio members.”
Nuehring said, “Every student group is diverse, whether they’re from another country or not.”
The council voted to table the bill and resume discussion after the winter break and board members were encouraged to look through the charter of the diversity vice president to consider adding more involvement with international student affairs.
At the meeting, the board also voted on a bill sponsored by Wright, which requested $10,000 dollars from the Capital and Support (C&S) fund for the Academic Opportunity Fund (AOF). The bill states the AOF is meant “to provide financial support to undergraduate students who have been accepted or invited by a reputable organization to present a scholastic achievement or participate in an academic competition.”
Linda Zimmerman said the AOF had planned on a $20,000 budget, half of which came from Tier II tuition, which they lost this year. After the budget cut, AOF was left with $10,000.
Student Advocate Dan Ricks moved to amend the bill to $5,000, which the council passed with a unanimous vote.
Lacey Nagao, public relations director, requested approval to change a section of the election bylaws regarding elected students on academic probation. Nagao said that in the bylaws it states if elected students fall below good academic standing they will not receive the $200 monthly stipend they receive for their position.
Since the stipend no longer exists for some positions, Nagao requested permission to eliminate any mention of the stipend in connection with academic standing. The council approved the change unanimously.
– k.vandyke@aggiemail.usu.edu