Campaign Promises: A closer examination of ASUSU
Editor’s note: This is the third in a series examining the platforms of the Associated Students of Utah State University’s Executive Council members. They identified goals they did or did not accomplish throughout the past year. The platforms were taken from the March 6, 2002 issue of The Utah Statesman.
–Compiled by Julia Mitchell, Amanda White, Julie Ann Grosshans, Marie Griffin, Emilie Holmes, Lindsey Parrott
Celestial Bybee, president
Platform:
* Advance communications efforts with students through ASUSU
— “This is an area that I cannot take full credit for; only my suggestions and support helped fulfill this part of my platform.”
Bybee named Vice President of Public Relations Camey Hatch as the main person to carry out communication efforts.
* Stay in touch with the student body by going to events and attending class
— Bybee said she tries to attend everything, especially class. She said she was in touch with students in completing the new Fitness Center.
* Help students statewide
— Bybee has been able to represent USU on a state level by attending meetings for multiple organizations, including the Utah Board of Regents and the Legislative General Session 2003.
“I am president until April 11, and you will not see a lame duck in office with me. I feel as though I am running a marathon, and this is the last of the race.”
Kristen Taylor, Business Senator
Platform:
* Implement student peers in the College of Business Advising Center
— Because of budget cuts, Taylor said, having peer advisers was not an option.
* Hold monthly Business Council meetings for students to attend and participate
— Taylor said she felt she built a stronger Business Council.
* Better faculty/student relations through departmental liaisons
— Taylor did not address this part of her platform.
* Improve recognition and publicity of Business achievements, as well as clubs’ and organizations’ events
— Taylor did not address this part of her platform.
“I hope that the students of business will know that with every decision I made, it was for the [them]. It was great to be their representative.”
Justin Haskell, HASS Senator
Platform:
* Establish an ambassador from each department
— Haskell said the program has been created and will be implemented in the College of HASS next year.
* Create a method for students to voice concerns
— Haskell said he established a student representative board that has one or two students from each HASS department. The board meets once a month to discuss problems, concerns and events.
Haskell said he has also organized a newsletter with representatives from the journalism department for next year and has established permanent funding for the Creative Writing Contest, which is held during HASS week.
“I’m very glad I decided to be a member of student government. It has been an amazing experience.”
Johnny Navarrete, Education senator
Platform:
* Create an online advisory council
— Navarrete said the online council is in the works, and if it doesn’t start this year, it will be ready for the next senator.
* Establish a chain of communication in the College of Education
— Navarrete did not address this part of his platform.
Navarrete said he has created an ambassador program with 12 members who help with high school recruitment activities, alumni relations and representatives of the college. He said an education club is still in the works and should be established in one month.
“We had a very successful Education Week.”
Jeff Leek, Science senator
Platform:
* Establish an ambassadors program
— Leek said the program is in the process of being put together. Applications for Science ambassadors are being cycled.
* Create scholarships and promote undergraduate research
— Leek did not address this part of his platform.
* Develop a College of Science newsletter to heighten awareness of the Science Council to students
— Leek did not address this part of his platform.
Leek said he worked with Housing to create a resident hall theme floor for biology and computer science majors. He said it will be implemented in the fall. He also said he tried to get a testing center for the university but couldn’t because of a lack of money.
“I recommend this to future ASUSU representatives, to keep trying for a testing center, because I think it would be very beneficial to the students on campus.”
Leek also said he has helped hold three luncheons for people in his college to mingle.
Matt Ekins, student advocate
Platform:
* Be a mediator for solving students’ grievances
— Ekins said he attended monthly meetings to hear concerns and helped create the Voice of the Customer to solicit student responses.
* Make students more aware of developments in parking
— Ekins said he worked with the parking department and Aggie Shuttle regarding student interests.
Ekins said he encouraged a recycle-oriented campus by voting for a resolution to used recycled paper around campus.
“[The Voice of the Customer] has exceeded my ideas and developed into a great thing. It’s been a great way to hear what the students are thinking. I hope it continues in the future.”