Committee says no to USA Today
Based on an ad hoc committee’s recommendation, Utah State University will not see free copies of USA Today on campus today, tomorrow or maybe ever.
Education Senator Jennifer Minchey, chairperson of the committee, presented the proposal to the Associated Students of USU Executive Council Tuesday.
The committee was set up to investigate whether a pilot program should be put in place on campus. The program would have meant a multiple-week trial period with free newspapers on campus. After the pilot, the university could choose to continue the program, with an increase in student fees to fund it.
The proposal said the fee increase would generate approximately $250,000 per year, but the USA Today pilot program would not be the most beneficial or practical use for the money.
Minchey also cited a similar pilot program conducted in campus housing two years ago with The Salt Lake Tribune and The Herald Journal. The program was poorly received and Minchey said the USA Today program would most likely produce similar results.
The committee also recommended the pilot program be rejected because the overall program would not be beneficial to the majority of students at USU.
“Although some students would most likely enjoy the convenience and availability of national and local newspapers, the majority of students at Utah State would not fully utilize the option,” Minchey said in the proposal. “It is evident that students who are truly interested in reading the newspaper will find the means to do so whether it be through the Internet or a subscription service.”
ASUSU President Duke Di Stefano said the committee’s recommendation will be passed on to President Kermit L. Hall and the administration.
Eight members of the committee voted in favor of rejecting the program and one member voted in favor of the pilot. There was one abstention.
Ag snag
Agriculture Senator Milo Andrus presented the schedule for the rest of Ag Week to the council. Andrus also co-sponsored a piece of legislation with Activities Vice President Tara Bradshaw. The legislation, called “Project Canopy,” called for the purchase of a canopy to place wherever food is distributed during ASUSU activities on campus.
Bradshaw said that whenever a group serves food on campus without a canopy or some type of covering overhead, they are in violation of the health code. Bradshaw was persistent in telling the council that a canopy had to be purchased by Wednesday for Andrus to use with his Ag Week activities.
The canopy which Bradshaw recommended be purchased would cost $300, an amount that passed the Capital and Support Committee, she said.
Bradshaw said there are other options for canopies, but they are of much lower quality. Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Senator Gabe White objected the motion to pass the legislation, saying the council should find the canopy that is best financial option.
Bradshaw said there was no choice but to purchase the canopy for Wednesday’s events. The council voted on the issue and decided to purchase the $300 canopy. White was the only council member to vote against the legislation, Athletics Vice President Tyler Olsen abstained.
Parking meeting time set
Les Essig, the student advocate vice president, said that the time and location of the Oct. 2 meeting regarding the Parking Terrace issue had been decided. The meeting will take place at noon in the council chambers on the third floor of the Taggart Student Center.
Essig said all of the council members need to be present for that meeting and need to invite all students who are informed about the parking issue. He said ideas to raise funds for improvements to the terrace are being accepted. Students with ideas to help the Parking Terrace raise more money are encouraged to e-mail Ombudsman@cc.usu.edu.
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