Legislators dish up treat
Coolers full of dry ice and Aggie Ice Cream were rolled into the Utah State Capitol on Tuesday.
The Government Relations Council, along with Big Blue, continued the long-standing tradition of Aggie Ice Cream Day at the state Legislature this week. In fact, those in the Student Involvement and Leadership office cannot remember a time when Aggie Ice Cream wasn’t served at legislative sessions.
“We give the human side of the legislation,” said Andy Pierucci, a GRC member. “It’s easy to get lost in the numbers and words on the paper, but when legislators see actual students who are affected by their decisions, it puts it in a different perspective.”
Pierucci said the GRC makes an important impact on officials in Salt Lake City.
“It’s nice when USU students can leave a lasting impression on the legislators who control a large part of the university’s purse,” Pierucci said.
The morning included ice cream and a special introduction of Big Blue from the House Gallery by Rep. Edward H. Redd, R-Cache County.
The afternoon brought lunch and a brief overview of how USU’s legislative interests have progressed throughout the session with President Stan Albrecht and Neil Abercrombie, USU director of government relations.
Albrecht said the number one initiative for this legislative session has been faculty compensation. It has been four years since USU has seen a salary increase. Based on current debate, it is predicted there will be a 1.5 percent pay increase granted to USU faculty and staff.
$1.5 million in funding for the veterinary science program at the Logan campus was also lobbied for in addition to funds for new buildings at the Brigham City and Price campuses
“We’re feeling like we’re in the right place,” Albrecht said. “It’s been an interesting session, but we have an enormous competitive advantage with our distance education. There is a Utah State face in every legislator’s district.”
The public will be informed of the legislature’s decisions by midnight on March 13.
The influence of Aggies is apparent in Salt Lake City. Several student interns and alumni can be found in the hallways of the Capitol on any given day.
“The corridors are full of Aggies, in both Utah and D.C.,” Abercrombie said. “They don’t talk about being a Utah State graduate. They talk about being an Aggie.”
Ashton Bingham, GRC chair, said he feels the organization advocates for students to the best of their abilities.
“We want Aggies to succeed. We want Aggies to be known, and we want funding from the state Legislature to fund their projects, passions and careers,” Bingham said.
Jashon Bishop, GRC lobby co-chair, said politics are more accessible and influential than many students may realize.
“No matter what your major is, politics is going to affect you,” Bishop said. “We’d be more than happy to have people come with us to the capitol to see just how accessible our government really is.”
The current legislative session ends on March 13. No further trips to the Capitol will be made this semester.
For information about GRC and how to get involved, contact Casey Saxton at 307-723-1893 or at casey.saxton@usu.edu.
— mdmaners@hotmail.com
Twitter: @miss_maddiesue