Tolson shares plan for future recreation center
ASUSU President Tyler Tolson brought an update to the ASUSU executive council on his campaign for a new student recreation center. Oct. 22, Tolson attended a Board of Trustees meeting along with James Morales, vice president of student services. Together the duo presented the plans and vision for the building. Tolson said the response from the board was positive and plans will continue to move forward.
The potential vision for the Aggie Recreation and Community Center, or ARCC, is a building that may take the place of the old agriculture building. Tolson said this could possibly change the services offered in the TSC to focus more on the revenue-generating and auxiliary services – which include dining, parking, the bookstore and housing – along with conferencing.
According to Tolson, the new building would be “everything the TSC is supposed to be.”
Tolson said this would be the “social heart and hub” to campus and may possibly connect with the library to bring an academic aspect.
Tolson said the next step will be securing and stabilizing a financial plan. He will also begin preparing a campaign for funding from alumni and donors.
Athletics Vice President Alex Putnam inquired as to the likelihood of the center appearing on the next election ballot, and Tolson said there was a “good chance” it would.
The council voted to approve a petition for an update on the newly-created ad hoc committee for emergency preparedness. Student Advocate Daniel Ricks, filling in for Service VP Tasha Jorgensen, informed the council that assignments were given to committee members. Assignments included contacting separate entities along with administration, police and other auxiliaries to gather information regarding emergency preparedness. Research will also be conducted to see what emergency systems other schools have been utilizing to see what works and what does not. The committee will meet in the following week to discuss their findings.
Diversity VP Kaho Fiefia and Public Relations Director Lacey Nagao announced that the new ASUSU website will be up and running after USU’s new website debuts on Nov. 5. Fiefia will then launch his “Go Clubbing” campaign for clubs and organization involvement.
Executive Vice President Brent Crosby said he participated in early voting and urged council members and students to do likewise. Crosby said early voting takes place until Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the TSC. In-state students must bring a valid student ID card and out-of-state students must bring another form of identification. Regular voting will take place Nov. 2.
The council praised Programming Vice President Tom Atwood for organizing and executing a successful homecoming week. Nagao said she received many positive responses and interim ASUSU adviser Linda Zimmerman said Atwood did a “great job” and “stepped up even with last-minute changes.”
Athletics VP Putnam named Men’s Hockey his “Hot Team of the Week” for their double defeat of Brigham Young University and 11-2 season. Putnam also said at the first men’s basketball game Oct. 30, he expects costumed students ready to cheer on their Aggies and then head over to the HOWL.
– jessie.a.sweat@aggiemail.usu.edu