ASUSU to give more input at city level
ASUSU is trying to form closer relations with Logan City officials in order
to give students more representation on a local level.
“Students need a voice in city issues so we know what the city wants from us
and they know what we want from them. Things would be a lot better if students
were voicing their opinions,” said ASUSU President Quinn Millet.
He said he would like to organize a position in which someone would represent the needs and opinions of students to the local government. Students
should be recognized by the city, Millet said.
The proposal has not yet been approved by the city, but officials have been very open to the idea, Millet said.
“Everyone I’ve talked to is really excited to work with the students,” said Mike Deamer, Government Relations Committee city liaison chair. “Quinn
Millet and I met with the mayor and the city attorney and both are gung-ho
about this. They want to hear what we want.”
Emergency preparedness, programs and housing laws are some of the issues
Millet has presented to the city to illustrate the need for better communication. If officials permit him to go ahead with his plans, Millet said these are a few of the issues ASUSU and Logan City would like to improve.
Deamer said he would like to see ASUSU and Logan City start an emergency
preparedness program on campus. Students need to be informed about safety and what to do in case of a natural disaster, he said.
“All are prepared but the students, and if something happened, that would be
tragic. An emergency preparedness program could be mutually beneficial for the
city and students,” Deamer said.
ASUSU would also like to work with the city to inform students of housing regulations. There have been problems in the past with students being
vacated because they are not following occupancy regulations, Deamer said.
“We need to inform students in advance of where they can live. We need to
talk about the issues and occupancy programs,” Deamer said.
With the possibility of closer relations with city officials, Millet will also work to get students civically involved.
Deamer said a closer relationship with the city would be an advantage for students and local residents.
“We need a defining role so students can have a voice and so we can be heard more,” Deamer said. “This would ease friction between students and the average citizen.”
“We have never utilized the power we have and now we can,” said Nate Putnam, ASUSU executive vice president. “The city wants to help us.”
Millet said it will be some time before he knows if his efforts to form closer relations between ASUSU and Logan City are approved, but he said he is hopeful there won’t be too many problems.
ariek@cc.usu.edu