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ASBSU fires lobbyist, reaches out to student body
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While some Boise State students are toiling at summer jobs or relaxing on the river, Associated Students of Boise State University President Trevor Grigg has his nose to the grindstone. Along with Vice President Joe Bunt and Chief of Staff Cortney Christian, Grigg has spent much of his summer finding ways to improve life for the students of Boise State.
In one case, the best interest of the student body meant a difficult decision for Grigg and his team. Grigg recently dismissed ASBSU Lobbyist Gabe Murphy due to a MySpace blog that was “extremely vulgar and demeaning toward women.”
The blog post, which has since been deleted, described for women the circumstances under which they would be considered a “booty call.”
“I looked at it as a zero tolerance situation,” Christian said. “I don’t think we should have someone like that representing [.] Boise State University to the state legislature.”
Grigg agreed, stating they would hold any ASBSU member to the same high standards.
Murphy, on the other hand, describes the decision as “childish, immature and cowardly.”
He explained the shocking blog post was meant to bring abusive male behavior to the attention of women.
“I don’t hate women [.] I would rather a woman read what I wrote and be hurt, then not read it, hook up with some douche bag and be hurt,” Murphy said. “I want to piss women off to the point they stand up and say, ‘No, I’m not like that! I will be respected!’”
According to Murphy, he received a text message asking him to resign or he would be fired. He then received a phone call from Christian telling him he was dismissed. Murphy said he was not given the opportunity to explain or defend himself.
Grigg said he and Bunt were out of town when they made the decision to fire Murphy. Murphy has not spoken to Grigg since the incident.
“Gabe was a very good student advocate,” Christian said. “It was just a very unfortunate turn of events.”
Aside from staff hang-ups, Grigg and his team (over the last two months) attended conferences, sat on committees, researched tirelessly and logged countless office hours.
The executive staff is fully aware of the legacy left to them. The resignations and attempted impeachments of last year’s administration began with questionable summer absences in both the legislative and executive branches.
“I’d like to think we’ve gone far and beyond other administrations,” Grigg said. “In the ASBSU offices, we have an open door policy. Someone is always there.”
The executive team also makes a point to attend both BroncoVenture (new student) and TNT (Transfer/Non-Traditional student) orientations.
“We really push and promote, ‘Hey, join a club,’ and ‘Get involved,’” Grigg said. “If you love the university, you’re going to be a better student.”
Christian, a former ASBSU Senator, spends much of his time researching software options for the dozens of LCD television screens located across campus. Students could, with new software in place, watch programs on ESPN and CNN, view student-produced content and advertise their own clubs and organizations.
The LCD screens will also move to areas more convenient for student viewing. Christian hopes to have the screens updated and re-located by December of this year.
On another front, the executive staff met early this summer with other student leaders from across Idaho to coordinate on statewide issues such as tax-free textbooks.
Grigg, who is still serving as president of the College Republicans, also plans to work closely with the College Democrats to provide voter registration services and election information for Boise State University students.
Grigg stresses that, although his staff is largely Republican, he is dedicated to hearing opinions from students of all political affiliations.
“We’re just focused on student well-being and quality of life,” Grigg said.
CHARLOTTE TAYLOR
Managing Editor