ASUSU tables issue of putting “A” on mountain
The controversial issue of putting a lit “A” on the mountainside was tabled after a lengthy discussion in the Associated Students of Utah State University’s meeting Tuesday.
Unable to come to a clear decision on the topic, debate centered primarily around whether or not a referendum should be issued, would to allow all students to vote on the “A” proposal.
Natural Resource Senator Preston Frischknecht spearheaded this discussion with a motion to amend line 13 of the resolution to read, “be it further resolved that the decision of the student body, via referendum, bind this resolution.”
“I feel kind of like I’ve been the fulcrum of this issue,” Frischknecht said. “I feel like I’ve gathered a lot of opinions and I’ve tried to be as objective as possible on this issue. The amendment I seek is an attempt to close the third floor gap.”
Frischknecht said a referendum would give students the opportunity for “increased ownership in [the “A”] endeavor.”
Frischknecht also said “there is some minority opposition with regard to the ‘A'” and a referendum would allow the minority “voice to be heard in a direct manner. It would be counted in a vote.”
Public Relations Vice President Nollie Haws disagreed. ASUSU was elected by the students at Utah State to represent the student body and to serve as both vote and voice of each individual attending the university, she said. A “straw poll” could not be taken each time a decision could not be made.
“We are the ones making the decision. I 100 percent disagree [with the referendum]. A referendum is a huge deal,” Haws said.
A lot of time and money goes into holding a referendum, Haws said. She encouraged members of the council to really think about these variables before voting on issuing a referendum.
Engineering Senator Caleb Johnson also disagreed with the referendum.
“We, as legislators, represent our constituents. In my college, I’ve heard the pros and cons and I’m able to weigh those and I’m able to vote based on feedback that I receive.”
Science Senator David Hoyal said he believed a referendum would be to the advantage of everyone involved.
“I’m for [a referendum] simply because of the advertising value. The only thing I’m aware of that ASUSU did [in past years] was the rec center and that’s because of the referendum. It’s an exceptional way to say ‘this is ASUSU. Look at ASUSU, we are doing things for you.’ It will increase ownership. Students feel some ownership in the rec center because there was a referendum,” Hoyal said.
Athletics Vice President Jennifer Putnam said there are other ways students’ voices can be heard and are currently being heard than to go to the expense of issuing a referendum.
“All of our meetings are open. We have had tables up for weeks. If students don’t feel they have a voice, they have different avenues of expressing that voice other than through a referendum.”
ASUSU also unanimously voted to allow the Val A. Christensen Center director to have speaking rights.
Director of the Service Center Jarrett Blonquist cited the meeting as a “perfect example of why I need speaking rights.”
“One of the biggest reasons is my position is elected,” Blonquist said. Without those speaking rights, Blonquist said he didn’t feel he could adequately represent the thousands of students for whom he had been elected to represent.
Activities Vice President Andy Dilley spoke favorably for allowing Blonquist the right to speak.
“We’ve always seen Jarrett as an equal. We’ve suspended the rules, and have no qualms to suspend the rules, to allow him to speak,” Dilley said.
The right to speak in council needed to be granted to Blonquist because his position is elected by student vote, Dilley said.
“[He] needs to have all of the rights of an elected official,” he said.