ASUSU VIEW: Your college, your money, your vote
Each semester, every Utah State student pays around $400 in “student body fees,” a percentage of which goes to ASUSU. In fact, if you wish to know exactly how much of your money went toward studentbody fees for fall semester, you simply just need to log on to ‘Banner’ and the details can be found. But where does your money go exactly? The majority of students walk up to the registrar’s office, hand the nice lady a signed check and forget about tuition until the following semester rolls around. The funny thing is, very few students realize that how ASUSU officers choose to spend their money is public knowledge. Yep, that is right. If you want to know where any officer chooses to spend their budget, you just need to march up stairs to the third floor of the TSC and talk to Lynne Singleton about where the budget money is being spent. After all, this is your money.
A student recently asked me, “Doesn’t it bother you that negative editorial articles have been printed in the Statesman lately regarding how ASUSU spends their budget?” While I explained my view on the opinion, I ended with saying, “No, not at all. In fact, it does the exact opposite.” I applaud a student who has the guts to stand up and voice his or her opinion. Similarly, I applaud ASUSU officers who have the courage to branch out and try something new. I guess I am a risk-taker. I like being progressive.
Hence, I proposed that ASUSU help fund the Utah State iPhone and Android application. Several entities across campus donated money to help make this possible. In fact, the app has been sent to the Apple store and will be released in its first phase within the next couple weeks. Fortunately, several Utah State students completed a survey that discussed the app, and positive feedback was evident in over 80 percent of the results. I would simply like to thank the students who completed the survey. Honestly, it is important in my mind for a university to stay progressive. I found out last week that Weber State is now in the process of creating an iPhone app, and the University of Utah already has an app; luckily, Aggie faculty and students realize the value of staying up to date on all of the latest technologies and we have not fallen behind the times. One major feature of the app that sets us apart from any other college is the unique design; it was designed locally and therefore no other college has an app with a similar layout or design. This is just another reason to say, “Go Aggies!”
However, this is just one of the many things that I have heard students talk about. While other events have certainly been discussed, I feel like bringing them up is like beating a dead horse. Everyone has their opinion, and several students have actually spoken their opinion through social media, newspaper articles and other outlets. Therefore, I am going to get back to the initial topic: ASUSU officers and budget money.
Trust me, I understand that student elections can be one of the most annoying things on USU’s campus. Hopefully this year, elections will be more about educating the student body on potential officer’s platforms, learning of the experience and values of each candidate, and then voting for a quality candidate that you believe would best spend your money in office and program effectively to the studentbody at Utah State. I do not believe that throwing hundreds of fliers in students’ hands and bullying a freshman into voting is the most effective way to get quality individuals in office. But hey, that is my personal opinion.
The theme for elections this year is “SPEAK.” So far, students this semester have been quite impressive in voicing their opinions. Let’s not have this stop. Continue to speak up, especially during the week of elections, Feb. 22-25, 2011. Candidates have won by less than three votes in the past; while it may sound cliche, your vote really does count. If you are interested in running for a student government position on ASUSU, make sure that you pick up a packet on Tuesday, Dec. 7 in TSC 326. It is your college, it is your money, and it is your turn to speak.
Lacey Nagao is the ASUSU public relations director.