Majority of students approve ASUSU’s performance
According to a survey conducted by The Utah Statesman, 92 percent of students approve of the overall performance of ASUSU President Tyler Tolson. ASUSU’s Executive Council also received an overwhelmingly positive approval rating of 87 percent and ranged from 70 to 85 percent on individual responsibility categories.
Tolson said he became aware of the survey being conducted and couldn’t help wondering how he would fare.
“I thought of any time when I may have offended someone,” Tolson said. “I hoped to make at least 50 percent.”
Tolson, currently in his second term as president, scored the highest of any question on the survey. The lowest score, 70 percent approval, went to ASUSU’s administration of student fees, something that didn’t surprise Tolson.
“I think it’s two-pronged,” Tolson said. “The first prong is because fees typically have a negative connotation. The other is we haven’t done a good enough job about getting the information out there.”
Tolson said this information gap is one thing he feels bad about from the last year and half that he has been in office, and said improving transparency is a focus for the remainder of the year. Student fees are like taxes, Tolson said, in that no one enjoys paying them but they are necessary and produce benefits for everyone.
On a more positive note, Tolson said the highlight of his presidency has been the involvement he’s had with the various student planning groups.
“The groups that I’ve worked with have done a great job of thinking outside of the box,” Tolson said.
ASUSU Programming Vice President Tom Atwood said, “Our number one goal was to make events memorable. We started off the year extremely well with Week of Welcome and wanted to continue with something unique, something fresh. We wanted things done in a different setting. Nothing has ever been done like the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus concert where we shut down the street, it was a first. I think students were refreshed by the creativity behind the events.”
Tolson used the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus street concert as an example of when ASUSU was able to do something original and successful.
“There were a lot of hoops we had to jump through and Tom Atwood and the whole council did a great job,” Tolson said.
With the student body seemingly unanimous in their support of Tolson, The Statesman couldn’t resist asking the junior whether he had considered an unprecedented third term in office. Tolson admitted that the thought had crossed his mind, but laughed off the subject.
“It’s an amazing experience and I have loved it,” Tolson said, “but it’s time to move on to other things.”
Members of the executive council were pleased with their high approval as well.
“I’m really happy to hear that our approval was so high,” said Executive Vice President Brent Crosby. “It is really hard to know student’s reactions because people don’t know what my council does. When people think ASUSU they think of programming, and ask me how planning for the Howl is going.”
Crosby explained that the government relations council, which he chairs, is actively lobbying and being heard at the Capitol to keep higher education a priority. Referencing recent changes in legislator’s mentality, and a lack of tax revenues, there is a proposed 7 percent cut to Utah State’s budget.
“A lot of students know that tuition will go up, but don’t know why,” Crosby said.
Crosby said raising student awareness is challenging. Between personally meeting with more than 20 legislators to provide them the university’s stance on the value of higher education and effects that significant budget cuts would create, he must then convey the information to students by having cookies and punch set up to encourage students to write a legislator.
“We only reach a certain crowd,” Crosby said. “Politics just don’t interest people. We have able to do a great deal of good, but it has required a great deal of sacrifice.”
Crosby was pleased that voter registration doubled this year, which he said is an even greater accomplishment given that 2010 was a non-election year, and he encourages students to become informed and involved with politics.
“Its so easy with technology to get informed,” Crosby said, “just google search a couple issues and you’ll be better informed to make a decision. Then go out and vote!”
Lowest approval ratings were attributed to the administration and allocation of student fees.
“Its never fun to see any type of increase, large or small, but these increases are necessary to grow as a university and sustain itself,” Atwood said.
An example he cited of a necessary fee increase was the shuttle bus system on campus, and a survey that was conducted to improve the system.
“The number one complaint was how crowded it was. It serves a lot of students, and a fee increase would help remedy the problem. We want to help enhance the programs in areas that students recognize there is a need,” Atwood said.
Another complaint heard from students doing the survey was the amount spent to bring “The Office” writer BJ Novak to campus.
“With BJ Novak, it was something that had never been done before and it brought exposure to the Arts and Lecture Series that it has never had. Whether students agree with it or not, it was memorable, and it got them involved in voicing their opinion about the Arts and Lecture Series that they never would have cared about before,” Atwood said. “The fact that they were involved was an extremely positive thing. We as student leaders cannot better serve the students unless they come to us with suggestions and feedback.”
Atwood said in his opinion, he has delivered on the promises he made during his campaign.
“I wanted to bring a headlining act to the Howl, and had We The Kings play; and bring touring talent to Utah State, which we had in Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and with Katchafire coming in April,” Atwood said.
One regret Atwood expressed was the line at the Howl.
“I think about it often. I am pleased that we have a system in progress that will make sure next year’s howl has an efficient line process. But that’s something that really bothered me this year, the way the line was handled. At the same time, I’ve done everything I could to make things right in giving refunds to students who were unable to attend, and having plans to remedy the line situation for next year.”
Atwood also asked students to get involved in student government: “As incoming freshman, you didn’t take part in last year’s elections, but it’s important to know who is serving, and what you can do to get involved in student life, Atwood said. “Right from the beginning, know that if they want their voice to be heard, there is a way for their voice to be heard. We take feedback it to heart, because it’s students who were are answering to and serving, and we ultimately want them to be pleased.”
– m.p.dahl@aggiemail.usu.edu
– b.c.wood@aggiemail.usu.edu