USUSA creates new inclusion statement that represents all students
Members of the Utah State University Student Association, or USUSA, sent out an inclusion statement on Sept. 28 expressing their love and support for all USU students.
The purpose for this statement is to show USUSA’s dedication to building USU as an inclusive university where individuals with various backgrounds, cultures and experiences can come together in one setting with a similar mission.
That mission is for all students to work towards creating a safe environment for everyone to feel safe and welcome.
USUSA President Lucas Stevens wrote in the press release that, through the new declaration, the officers are announcing their commitments and values to everyone.
“I’m especially excited to implement this statement in our organization’s guiding documents and share its message with our fellow students as we move forward in building a more inclusive campus,” Stevens wrote.
Organizations and Campus Diversity vice president, Emilee Harmon, said this is a message that is not only very important to hear, but it is also crucial for students to see what the USUSA represents.
“This inclusion statement is a clear message of support for students with marginalized identities. They don’t have to guess where we stand on this,” Harmon said. “I think it’s a necessary starting point in terms of passing more diversity, equity and inclusion related legislation.”
However, some students, such as sophomore Trey Peterson, believe this statement isn’t necessary because he hasn’t seen any issues with it in his own experience. Although he did say that it wouldn’t hurt and he can see some positive repercussions.
“I personally haven’t seen a need, but I can see it creating a great atmosphere for diversity and allowing more students to meet and welcome new people to USU,” Peterson said.
Harmon said their efforts don’t end with this statement.
“This is our commitment to creating a safer environment for students with marginalized identities,” she wrote. “It is important to acknowledge that this statement is only the starting point. There is a lot of work ahead, and I hope you as students hold USUSA officers accountable.”
The statement, which was titled “You Belong Here,” is under the Executive Council Bill 2022-01, which requires this statement to be referenced in all USUSA officer position descriptions and committee applications as well.
The reason for this is explained in the press release saying, “The bill further amends officer ethics bylaws to require officers to adhere to the principles and values outlined in this statement.”
This goes along with USU President Noelle Cockett’s initiative and creation of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force in the spring of 2019.
In the initiative, Cockett wrote, “Cultivating diversity of thought and culture is central to USU’s mission and essential to preparing our students to be local and global leaders.”
The original bill was sponsored by USUSA President Lucas Steves and co-sponsored by Harmon and the Graduate Studies senator, Niyonta Chowdhury-Magnaña.
The bill was unanimously passed on its first reading on Sept. 21 and again for the second reading on Sept. 28 by the USUSA members.
In the press release, Chowdhury-Magnaña wrote, “In order to avoid institutional complacency and causing more harm to marginalized members of our Aggie community, we must now operationalize this statement by enacting tangible change.”
And according to Student Advocate vice president, Ethan Conlee, it isn’t easy crafting bills, statements or resolutions like this, which shows how important having an inclusion statement is to these officers.
According to Conlee, to even start creating something like this, it starts with lots of research of the subject, consideration for the groups it’s affecting, and meetings with various groups that have relevant interests.
And once they have the bill and statement finally drafted, it still has to go before the executive council for considerations and then the council will make comments and suggestions on the content, and then it can move on to a vote where it also has to gain approval.
Peterson believes these efforts by the USUSA are genuine and hopes by enacting that tangible change, it will include incorporating more multicultural events that invite everyone rather than certain clubs or groups.
Ultimately, Conlee hopes people will understand the USUSA members are doing their best to make sure every Aggie feels involved but also wants students to know they can do the same.
“Lasting change doesn’t come from the top down. If we want campus to be a place where all cultures, ideas, backgrounds, etc. are respected then we need to all go out and do it,” he said. “Attend a multicultural event, get to know someone who is different. Listen with respect to ideas that challenge our own. Only when all of us work toward this common goal will we achieve the outcome we desire.”
The full text of ECB 2022-01 can be found at usu.edu/legislation/
Jacee.Caldwell@usu.edu