ASUSU passes bill to give 10 students $1,000 scholarship
The Associated Students of Utah State University Executive Council passed a bill on Tuesday in support of the ASUSU Leadership Scholarship.
Andrea Ekins, ASUSU Family Life senator, presented the revised bill. Ten students will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Recipients will be chosen according to their involvement inside and outside the classroom, financial need and personal achievements. Excess revenues from the campus directory and interest-bearing accounts will fund the scholarships.
Several council members argued whether the money should be used for the scholarships.
Kristen Taylor, ASUSU Business senator, said, “I still have a problem using all that money to help 10 or so students.”
Dax Mangus, ASUSU Natural Resources senator, said the money might benefit the council if it were put in the university’s budget.
“If we take this money and incorporate it in the budget, it’s money we don’t have to collect later on,” he said.
However, the majority of the council was in support of the bill.
“It is our job to make sure money gets back to the students. This is a way to show we appreciate the students,” Johnny Navarette, ASUSU Education senator, said.
Ekins asked the council what should be done with the money as an alternative to the scholarships.
“This money is going to be put back in the bowl. Why let the money sit there and not do anything when we could benefit the students? This is a way to benefit 10 individual students for their time and effort,” she said.
The bill will be put into effect this year.
The council tabled a resolution to implement non-class study days before finals week until an official random survey is performed to obtain the students’ opinion about the resolution.
“If we want to support the students’ voice, we have to know what the students’ voice is.”
If the resolution is passed, it may require students to start fall semester a couple of days early.
Mangus said, “Starting school earlier is going to cost students money and cost students time.”
The council will vote next week on a bill requesting an additional $3,000 for activities sponsored by the ASUSU Campus Diversity Committee. The council asked questions regarding the bill. Of the money, $2,000 will be used for the Native American Powwow and $1,000 will be used for other events.
Tiffany Leo, ASUSU Campus Diversity vice president, said, “We don’t anticipate all of it being used.”
Money that is not used will be put back into ASUSU’s Capital and Support account.
The council was also informed of an informal meeting that will be held with President Kermit L. Hall on Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. to discuss the status of the budget.
–mmackay@cc.usu.edu