COLUMN: The state of Utah State
Fall semester was full of great successes for the students of USU. I hope everyone feels the same excitement and energy that ASUSU officers feel going into the spring semester.
I will address the state of the university by looking at the fall 2011 semester’s successes, the present challenges and opportunities we face in the coming semester, and our future ambitions — how we will face challenges and take advantage of opportunities.
Looking back at the semester, there have been several students who helped ASUSU accomplish exciting things. Jordan Hunt, ASUSU Executive Council’s administrative assistant, had a vision and created a way ASUSU could increase transparency. His idea called for posting all past and current legislation online, so it is completely accessible to students.
Students can now go to www.usu.edu/legislation to find copies of any legislation. Hannah Blackburn, ASUSU Executive Council’s public relations director, has taken ASUSU’s use of social media to a new level adding more than 1,000 Facebook fans and more than 700 Twitter followers in one semester. Students can always check the Facebook page or follow ASUSU on Twitter for the latest updates on events and other happenings.
Our student body made its voice heard at the state level by producing more than 6,000 signatures for the Education First Petition Drive. Other successes include diverse programs, such as the Aggie Cinema Series and Aggie Event Series, more involvement opportunities that stemmed from the creation of a volunteer coordinator position and Marketing Team in the Programming Office, and an ambitious freshman class that came in excited to get involved.
I think, however, the driving force of students’ continued successes has been made possible by USU’s committed team of advisers and administrators that puts students first and empowers all of us to achieve our ambitions. Each time we approach our leaders with ideas that we believe will improve the university, they are all ears and ready to support us in our causes.
As we begin the spring semester, there are some challenges in front of us we hope to turn into opportunities that will bring positive outcomes. One of the biggest challenges students have faced in the past few years is the diminishing focus on higher education in the state Legislature. Through powerful efforts from President Albrecht’s office and our committed group of ASUSU student lobbyists, we have been able get funding for important initiatives and make the best of every cut dished out in the past.
A new Legislative General Session begins in three weeks, and it looks again as though the Legislature isn’t catching the vision that making higher education a priority can dramatically help Utah’s economy. Thankfully, Kirsten Frank, ASUSU Council’s executive vice president, has put together one of the best groups of student lobbyists we have seen.
Another powerful arrow in this year’s legislative quiver is the Education First Petition that not only received high levels of support at USU, but gained more than 30,000 signatures statewide. Even with a great team of lobbyists — and an impressive showing of petition signatures — it will be important that students become more civilly engaged to let legislators hear their voices loud and clear.
Along with the legislative challenge comes the challenge to keep USU’s tuition and fee schedule manageable for students, while simultaneously maintaining a competitive university that offers top-quality service. The Student Fee Board expects facing many proposals for fee increases. We are committed to fiscal responsibility and will only allow fee increases where it will be in the students’ best interests.
Another large opportunity we have is the increased demand for student involvement. In fall 2011 USU had more students than ever before, recognizing the need for student involvement to refine their skills, give them purpose and give them an edge in the future job market. This increase in the desire to be involved has been welcomed but, at times, proves challenging when finding a fit for each student.
This semester we will continue to drive initiatives that give more students an opportunity to get more from their college experience. Keep your eyes open for initiatives upgrading the TSC and our website that makes these opportunities more visible and easier to navigate.
We look forward to another great semester and hope to see the continued excitement, enthusiasm and spirit that makes us the best university in the state. Go Aggies.