ASUSU wants students to vote this year
ASUSU discussed plans to hold a convention to encourage students to vote and the upcoming Red Zone Week in Tuesday night’s meeting.
ASUSU officers, as well as other campus leaders, talked about recent campus activities and those to come. Rachel Hickman from the Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information office spoke about the upcoming Red Zone Week starting Sept. 7.
Each year the Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence (SAAVI) organization holds events to let students know that August to November is the most vulnerable time of the year for students. Hickman outlined some of the plans for Red Zone Week and has asked for ASUSU financial support for some of the activities.
There are plans to hold a convention to encourage students to be educated and to vote. Although not official yet, the convention is slated to be a collaboration between Utah State University and the University of Utah.
The convention will tentatively occur at the Delta Center on Oct. 29 with a convention in the morning uniting students, legislators and candidates from across the state. Students will have the opportunity to meet candidates and ask questions.
At night there will be a concert. Larry H. Miller has paid for the use of the Delta Center. The center is looking for bands to come, Les Essig, ASUSU president. Tickets will be available to the public and students, with prices being less expensive for students.
“The main goal is to get students to vote, meet candidates, get out and get educated,” Essig said.
Kathy Leslie, activities vice president, said she was happy with the WOW week activities so far.
“This year’s ‘Moonlight and Music’ was the biggest USU has ever had and the attendance at all the activities has been awesome,” Leslie said.
Another tradition hoped to be bigger than ever is the blood drive. USU has a standing rivalry with the U of U to see which school donates the most blood and USU is well on it’s way to a successful drive, arts and lectures vice president Brittany Duke said.
The bag check at the bookstore was reported as being successful and is here to stay. Students can check their bags that contain valuables and many students have been taking advantage of this service. Soon alarms will be installed to replace the students that currently watch the bags, Alyssa Lambert, student advocate vice president said.
A bill of declaration was also presented by Essig encouraging more collaboration between ASUSU and the Faculty Senate. The bill also expresses gratitude for the role of Faculty Senate and acknowledges the need for both parties to work together for the good of the student body and school. The bill was unanimously passed by ASUSU and will next be presented at Faculty Senate.
“We can get more accomplished for a common goal if we work together,” Janis Boettinger, president of the faculty senate, said.
ASUSU meetings, as well as Faculty Senate, are open to students.
Students are welcome to come, listen, ask questions and give input.
“I think students should go so they can know more where their student fees are going. So many students complain about fees but don’t know all the things they are used for. If they’d attend the meetings they’d know more and have more of a say in how the money is spent,” Cassie Klingler, a senior in Graphic Design, said.
ASUSU officers also mentioned plans to be in their offices at least 10 hours a week to answer students questions and work on projects.
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