ASUSU invites students to weekly meetings
Students are invited to attend the weekly Associated Students of Utah State University meetings Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center, Room 336.
The meetings deal with issues affecting the entire student body, including budgeting, clubs and organizations.
Celestial Bybee, ASUSU president, said, “All the students are invited who would like to come. We set it up so students can speak their minds and their concerns on different topics.”
The meetings follow Parliamentary Procedure and certain house rules are adapted each year by ASUSU. A strict format is followed to maintain order.
Students can sit in on the meetings or present items of discussion they feel need direct attention or a change.
“Our goal is to make these meetings productive, effective and worth our time and the students’ money,” Bybee said.
According to House Rules for ASUSU Executive Council 2002-2003, students are given a 20-minute public forum to discuss their opinions concerning the issues. Individuals have a maximum of three minutes to present their ideas. Questions may be asked in an objective manner, only with the intent to clarify the opinion of the presenter.
Duke Di Stefano, ASUSU administrative assistant, said anything pertinent a student would like to change is welcome for discussion. Students are always welcome, because many discussion topics affect the student body.
Matt Ekins, student advocate vice president, said, “I think it’s great if students come in, because it shows that they care and want to become better informed. If a student is really concerned about an issue, a difference can be made if they put forth the effort.”
The minutes for each meeting are sent to each member of the council and the vice president for Student Services, Craig Petersen, and will be available on the ASUSU Web site.
In September, Renee Payne, USU marketing director, presented the results from an image study done for the university to see how it compares to other universities. Alan Andersen, assistant director for Housing and Food Services, clarified some confusion about the rules regarding food and employment in the TSC. Kevin Bischoff requested help from ASUSU to promote buying Aggie license plates from the Student Alumni Association. Kara Sewall and other members of Student Technology Training (STT) presented their program, explaining what it has to offer and what to expect in the future.
Each committee gives a weekly report of events and reminders. In September, the programmers, senators, legislators and advisers presented information regarding different facets of ASUSU, including WOW, Service, Education and Civic Awareness weeks. They also discussed more specific items, such as office hours, the USU student directory and the duration of the meetings themselves, which took on extended debate and discussion. Each week a member of the council was highlighted as “Aggie of the Week,” and Ekins relayed an ombudsman moment.
The Executive Committee deals with bills, which are under its direct jurisdiction, Bybee said. It also works with resolutions, which are not under its direct jurisdiction, Bybee said.
Every member has a legislative agenda to be presented in the future.
“Each member has a lot they are working on but nothing has come to the floor yet,” Bybee said.
The council works directly with the administration to better the university and the system. One item of legislation already discussed, but not passed, is a capital support request for the Sept. 11 candlelight ceremony.
Students interested in submitting items for discussion can contact Di Stefano by phone at 797-8222 or e-mail at duke@cc.usu.edu.
-mmackay@cc.usu.edu