ASUSU talks scholarships, reading days, banquets, rallies
The Associated Students of Utah State University Executive Council approved a bill for ASUSU leadership scholarships to be reviewed as a third reading item next week.
Andrea Ekins, ASUSU Family Life senator, presented the revised proposal. Excess revenues from the campus directory and interest-bearing accounts will be put toward the scholarships, she said. They will reward students who excel in community service and academics. Recipients will receive $500 each semester for one year.
“I feel good about giving back to the students who serve ASUSU. It comes in totally separate from student fees,” Ekins said.
Several members of the council discussed the necessity of using revenues from the campus directory for the scholarships. Mike Waggoner, ASUSU executive vice president, suggested that the money could be put toward the budgets of future council members to avoid potential increases in students fees.
Tiffany Leo, ASUSU Campus Diversity vice president, presented her request for additional funding for diversity programming. The council will review the request for questions next week.
Celestial Bybee, ASUSU president, said, “[Tiffany] has obligations for the rest of the year and wasn’t funded enough.”
Ericka Ensign, ASUSU Academic vice president, presented as a second reading item the proposed implementation of non-class study days before finals week. Suggestions from student representatives and results from a random survey will be assessed to determine the students’ opinions about having non-class study days.
“Reading days would be more beneficial to students as far as study time,” Ensign said.
The council voted unanimously in a straw poll supporting the ASUSU Awards Banquet to be held this April.
Duke Di Stefano, ASUSU administrative assistant, said the banquet is held for ASUSU committee members and others who have helped ASUSU throughout the year.
Bybee informed the council of the Utah Student Association Rally on Feb. 12. Transportation will be provided at the University Inn at 9 a.m.
An election forum will also be held Friday from 10 a.m. to noon in the Sunburst Lounge for students interested in running for next year’s ASUSU Executive Council.
Camey Hatch, ASUSU Public Relations vice president, said, “Basically, it’s a recruitment exercise.”
–mmackay@cc.usu.edu