USUSA Updates
A recent collection of decisions and discussions conducted by the Utah State University Student Association Executive Council. Held eachTuesday at 5:00 p.m. in the Senate Chambers on the third floor of the TSC, students are welcome to attend.
Reminders:
– Candidates for the USUSA 2016 elections have filed for every position on executive council and academic senate. Officers were reminded to stay neutral at all times.
– Remember students can vote on the USUSA constitution to approve or deny changing the name of the Programming Office to the Student Events Office.
– The USUSA Mental Health Campaign will take place March 19 to 23.
USUSA Executive Council
2/9/16
• In public forum, President Stan Albrecht and James Morales presented tuition proposals to the council. There was not much to present, as President Albrecht was unaware of how the next year would play out. There will be a minimal tuition increase, but no tier 2 tuition increase, and therefore no tuition hearings.
• President Albrecht also presented a proposal “being advanced by a couple of the legislators.” Current state policy states that if there is a compensation increase for faculty and staff, then a portion of that is paid by tuition. One of the legislators is actually proposing that the state pick up the whole cost of that with no tuition increase; President Albrecht said he had no idea how the proposal will play out, though his only concern is that if student tuition does not pick up a portion of the compensation then less funding would be left for higher ed initiatives.
• A bill concerning the USUSA Organizations and Campus Diversity was passed unanimously to be organized immediately. The bill will reorganize the structure of the Organizations and Campus Diversity. A Diversity Cabinet will replace the current Diversity director. Three Clubs and Organizations directors will replace the current Clubs and Organizations director.The three Clubs and Organizations directors will receive $300 per semester.
2/2/16
• A concern was brought before the council regarding summer tuition and fee payment deadlines. Traditionally deadlines have been arranged to avoid falling on finals week, though this only allows 10 days between when fees are assessed and the day tuition is due. The council recommended to move the fee payment deadline into finals week to give students more than 10 days’ time.
• Priority registration times were discussed in detail of the starting times each evening. Last year priority registration was split into three small groups, starting at 8:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. IT workers stated there is only about a 15-minute surge at the beginning of each registration period. Another option presented to the council were starting times of 8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. In a straw poll, all in attendance were in favor for the other starting time options.