USUSA Elections: What is on your ballot?

Spring is in the air, and so are the Utah State University Student Association elections for the 2017-18 school year. On the docket for the ballot are several different candidates with platforms to improve our university, a new student fee and constitutional changes that will be placed before the students on the final ballot.

CAPS FEE

One of the most important issues of consideration for Utah State students is a student fee increase for the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) center. The Executive Council recently started a VOTE YES campaign.

“A new student fee was proposed and recently accepted by the fee board, “ said USUSA president Ashley Waddoups, “which will go directly to the student body for a vote on the final ballot.”

Together with the President’s Cabinet and the Government Relations Council, the Executive Council is seeking to educate students on the matter of mental health in our university, as well as at the state level.

“Over the past few years, the CAPS center has been experiencing long wait times for students. These students facing anxiety and depression are waiting an intense time, four to six weeks, to be seen. There is simply not enough staff for the number of students seeking help,” said Matthew Clewett, student advocate vice president.

This fee, if passed, will increase student fees by $3.50 to help hire a new psychologist for CAPS. A team comprised of USUSA President Ashley Waddoups, Matthew Clewett, Graduate Studies Senator Ty Aller and many others composed a statewide resolution with Representative Ed Redd at the Utah State Capitol.

“The resolution just recently passed the House 72-0 and will be moving to the appropriate senate committee in the next week,” Waddoups said.

With the seven full-time counselors and one part-time counselor at Utah State, and with the 18,000 students to whom the center is available, there simply aren’t enough counselors to cover the growing mental health needs of the university.

Those who have committed all of their efforts to this process have learned much they feel is worth sharing with the entire student body.

“It’s a fun process, being able to work on this resolution from the very beginning. Drafting a piece of legislation that means something to you as an individual and watching the process is a crazy feeling,” Clewett said.

Although this fee won’t be enough for the needs that the Executive Council would like to meet, it is enough to cut wait times, even if by a little bit.

“If students clearly take a stand and truly state that we are behind this issue and the Aggie family 100 percent and show that students are taken care of, this will resonate at a university, state and national level as well, which is what we are aiming for,” Clewett said.

As students consider these changes and fees, the Executive Council offers encouragement.

“This fee is a new student fee, which means that while on the ballot, it is still up to the students to decide, considering they are the ones that will be putting their money forward. Know what you are voting for. This is a fee that will be beneficial for our students. We encourage you to vote yes,” Waddoups said. 
Initiatives:

There are three main initiatives that will be up to the discretion of the students, including a name change to the Arts and Lectures committee chair, a change in the way representatives are selected and some grammatical changes. These are three separate initiatives that students can vote on in this years USUSA election.

Arts and Lecture Series:

The Arts and Lecture Series has developed into something a little bit more broad. In the past, members of the Caine College of Arts directed the Arts and Lecture series but that partnership is no longer valid, which initiated the need for change.

“This title change reflects what they can do, but doesn’t restrict what they can’t do. It also allows for more creativity,” said Ryan Jensen, the student events vice president.

The proposed name change from Arts and Lecture Series to “Series Director,” will allow for the position title to accurately fit the job description.

“This will also allow the name change to be able to reflect what the position actually does now,” said Linda Zimmerman, the director of Student Involvement and Leadership.

Regional campus representative selection:

USU’s regional campuses are hoping to change the way their representatives are selected. Currently, each regional campus has vice presidents and representatives. This constitution change will move toward proposing that these positions become appointed positions instead of elected positions.

For 2017, the way representatives are chosen will remain the same but if this measure passes on the final ballot, further years will be affected.

Grammatical Changes:

The grammatical changes are simply to remain transparent, and to keep the constitution up to date to reflect that.

“To someone looking at a ballot, confused on what these changes are about, and although they may not be huge, do the research behind them, make an informed decision, and make your vote count,” said Jensen.

— kortni.marie.wells@aggiemail.usu.edu

@kortniwells