Senators and ASUO Executives have both settled into their roles as the fall term concluded. Each had their own success and challenges. Here’s a look at a few of the major moments of the term.
Senate
Senate was put under pressure by the Young Americans for Liberty, a libertarian student group, on Nov. 11 when the Senate denied the group’s $950 request for a poker night where attendees had a chance to win firearms. The group returned on Nov. 18 claiming that the senate violated viewpoint neutrality and sought reimbursement for a donor who gave them the money for the event. Senate denied the request and the university decided not to act on the allegation of viewpoint discrimination. Senate Vice President Quinn Haaga said that members did a good job maintaining viewpoint neutrality given the nature of the request.
Senate members are working on a resolution to possibly halt the expansion of new fraternity and sorority chapters after findings in a recent climate survey indicated that students involved in Greek life still face significantly higher rates of sexual assault than those who are not involved. Haaga says that the Senate will wait for the results of an external review before continuing action with the resolution.
Senators repealed a resolution that prevented student groups from requesting funds for off-campus retreats on Nov. 4. Haaga says the senate reversed its initial decision because retreats provide opportunities that cannot be found on campus.
Executive Campaigns
ASUO executives created the campus safety campaign in the wake of the Umpqua Community College shooting, ASUO Director of Staff Casey Edwards said. ASUO organized a forum addressing student concerns regarding the university’s lack of school-wide safety initiatives.
“After UCC, that was a moment where you realize something immediate needs to be done,” Edwards said.
ASUO also started a tuition affordability campaign to help students understand how a guaranteed tuition plan being proposed by the administration may affect them. ASUO has organized two forums, the first was held on Oct. 28 and the other on Nov. 13, to let students voice their concerns and help the administration understand where students stand on the plan.
New Radio Show
The executive officers of ASUO created a new radio show on KWVA in order to increase awareness of the different campus-related issues, campaigns the organization started and help give student groups a platform to speak to the student body. ASUO Internal Vice President Claire Johnson said that the show’s primary goal is to help build a connection between ASUO and students because students often feel disconnected from the organization.
“[Students] think of [ASUO] as a separate entity that they can’t really communicate with. We created [the radio show] so people can become more involved with ASUO,” Johnson said.
The program airs every Thursday at 7 p.m. on 88.1 KWVA.