ASUSU aims to create new student programs
A change in venue took the ASUSU executive council meeting from the third floor of the Taggart Student Center to the student alumni house Sept. 14. This week, the Student Alumni Association welcomed the council as they presented their currently running program “Aggies for Change.”
Patty Halaufia, executive director, told the council activities provided by ASUSU “provide memories” for students. She also said that this contributes to the 85-87 percent of students who report having a good experience at Utah State University. Halaufia said that out of all of those students, only 9-10 percent of student alumni actually give back to USU, which is extremely low compared to the 70 percent of private school alumni that give back to their schools. According to Halaufia, a student is considered alumni of the university after being enrolled in twelve credit hours.
The Aggies for Change program is the first all-student campaign being run at the university in which students donate spare change to piggy banks. Private donors have agreed to match any funds collected with no known limit. Program sponsors, including USU Credit Union, are covering the cost of the fundraiser so all proceeds will go to students. Once the 2,500 piggy banks being handed out are collected, students will get to vote to where the money will go. Collection dates were announced as Oct. 21-22 and March 17-18.
Tessa Goodall, member of the student alumni association board, said, “We know students don’t have a lot of money but this can quickly turn five dollars of change into 20.”
ASUSU President Tyler Tolson said it’s a “great way to support the university.”
Tolson also presented a new concept at Tuesday’s meeting after a visit with representatives of the speech communications department. He said the department has great aspects of leadership, professional development, and conflict management. Tolson mentioned the possible development of a program that will be called The Institute for Communication and Leadership. The program will be aimed for those seeking professional development and may take the form of a seminar. Participants would expect to pay around $25 for a four-week program and receive a completion certificate.
“In these times, small things are tipping people over the edge,” Tolson said. “Having a certificate enhances your degree.”
The program will be university-sanctioned and include lectures and hands-on workshops given by faculty of the university.
Tolson saw some immediate support from council members Kaho Fiefa, Tom Atwood, and Alex Putnam. However, all seemed to agree that some projections for attendance would be helpful. Another concern was timing. Tolson said they were considering launching the program spring semester 2011 for students who would be graduating, although he said “nothing has been set in stone.”
Putnam voiced a concern that busy students might not sign up for extra work.
Tolson then said that offering flexibility options for the program may solve that concern.
“So far it is only one day in the making,” he said.
Last on the agenda was the final approval of business senator Skyler Jenks’ request for C&S funding. The request was for $3,000 for the upcoming business week to help the school host a concert by musical artist Kalai. The money would pay the performer, lighting costs, and parking accommodations while making the concert free for students. Refreshments will also be offered at the event to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“We mainly want to create an atmosphere of excitement, while giving back to the Huntsmans for all of their generosity,” Jenks said.
He said another goal for the event is to help unite USU with the community.
Jenks told the council about a conversation with a local radio host who agreed that division between the community and school is a problem.
“We really want the community to feel welcome to come to events as well as all students,” Jenks said.
– jessie.a.sweat@aggiemail.usu.edu