Senate pushes against impending mandatory on-campus housing policy
Senate approved the formation of a working group to address concerns surrounding possible mandatory housing for first-year students.
Senator Max Burns said this new policy will create gentrification on campus and will put low-income students at a disadvantage. Burns said the University of Oregon aims to compete with off-campus housing, like The Hub, by providing more amenities. However, he said that those amenities are not necessary.
“Students who are just trying to scrape by do not need all these amenities that the UO is trying to provide. There will be many Oregonians who cannot afford to come to school anymore and it will price out students from [out of state],” Burns said.
The resolution also criticized University Housing’s failure to “receive adequate input from students” and its goal to promote “a one-size-fits-all vision of the university experience.”
“There’s a definite need for a reform in the system,” Senator Andrew Dunn said. “The resolution will put the pressure on [University Housing] and highlight the importance of changing how they operate.”
University Housing does not currently have enough beds for first-year students, Burns said. They plan to implement the policy in Fall 2017 to allow time to increase on-campus resident capacity.
Senators proposed to bring the resolution to University Senate and Board of Trustees.
Famous political activist to come to campus
Senate approved LGBTQA3’s $12,000 request to bring well-known civil rights activist, Angela Davis, to campus in May for its Pride Week.
Davis is known for her work with the Civil Rights Movement, Black Panthers and the Communist Party USA in the 1960s. Davis will speak about her work and experiences during the event. An LGBTQA3 speaker said that her speech will encourage students to collaborate between communities.
Student group heading to D.C. for Conference
The Senate approved the Student Labor Action Project’s $2,969 request to send five members to the National Jobs with Justice Conference in Washington, D.C from Feb. 12-13.
The conference will provide SLAP members an opportunity to “hone their skills in student organization and social justice advocacy,” according to the group’s request.
Members said the trip is a great networking opportunity.
Rules unclear for fundraiser reimbursement request
Senate tabled Divisi’s request due to uncertain rules about fundraising and deadlines for reimbursement.
The group requested to be reimbursed $2,576 for its Winter Gala in December.
The silent auction at the event raised questions about the group’s eligibility to receive funds, ASUO Finance Director Shawn Stevenson said.
To complicate matters further, Senator Martin Martinez said there is a 30-day deadline for groups requesting reimbursement. However, Stevenson said that he had “never heard of such a deadline.”
Divisi will come back next week to allow time for ASUO controllers to verify if they can receive funds.
Student publication funded for fourth issue
Senate approved Art Ducko’s $2,031 request to cover printing costs for its upcoming issue.
Art Ducko, founded in Fall 2014, is a publication that provides a platform for students to publish their original comics. Many senators commended the group’s work and praised the quality of the publication.