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ASBSU Rewind
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The elected of officials of the Associated Students of Boise State University have been in office for eight months. Last spring, The Arbiter asked each candidate to list his or her platforms and goals upon election. Recently, we e-mailed these platforms to the senators (those that are still in office) and asked them what they have done to reach those objectives. These are the responses.
Pick up a copy of The Arbiter Monday to read President Trevor Grigg’s platform and responses, as well as statements from appointed senators.
Cara Mia De Marco
Platform:
- Campus beautification
- Green campus
- Diversity and unity
- Promote school spirit and tradition
- Tax free textbooks
Being on ASBSU has been a wonderful learning experience. I am very thankful for the opportunity to be involved in BSU in this way and to work with and for fellow students. It has been a privilege to work with the other senators, and I truly respect them.
This year various pieces of legislation have been written to help the students of Boise State University. ASBSU wrote a bill that sponsored Armchair football. This gave students the chance to watch the Boise State University Football games (away) in the student union building and have free food provided. This was a great way for us to promote school spirit and tradition. ASBSU sponsored the can U of I drive which gave clubs and students on campus the chance to donate canned food to the Idaho food bank. We also sponsored a bill which provided dancers as entertainment to the annual Boise State University parent and family weekend. This was great because it helped promote both the diversity and unity at BSU. In the Spring ASBSU plans to work on the tax free textbooks initiative. We have our lobbyist who will be working closely with all branches of ASBSU to work towards that goal.
ASBSU has passed various memorials this year to recognize events in this nation past. The Veterans Day memorial was passed unanimously by the ASBSU senate. Also, the Veterans Day Memorial ceremony was held which was sponsored by ASBSU. It was a great event and the beautiful monument which adds so much to this campus, will stand as a reminder to the students of Boise State of all that has been done on their behalf by the men and women who serve in the United States military.
There have also been resolutions that have been passed by ASBSU. A resolution supporting affordable birth control was unanimously passed by the Senate. Another resolution promoting a fair meal equivalency plan for those students with meal plans was also passed.
Thank you to Charlotte and the Arbiter for the opportunity to share! I look forward to writing more legislation in the spring. Come to our Senate meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4p.m. in the Forum.
Saul Solis
Platform:
- Increase student involvement in Boise State’s student government, as well as in clubs and organizations on campus.
- Help create accountability with ASBSU toward the students it serves.
- Help ASBSU to become more professional.
- Create research opportunities for undergraduate students.
- Help allocate student funds responsibly.
This fall semester ASBSU has been able to get a good feel for the direction we need to be moving towards. Student government should do exactly what the title says; Govern. We have been working to define our roles as the voice of the student body at Boise State University to continue to advocate for our constituents. ASBSU has passed some legislation that provided students the opportunity to engage themselves with on campus activities such as Parent & Family weekend, and also by funding arm chair football. I supported both these pieces of legislation because when I campaigned, one of my intentions was to help make Boise State a more traditional campus. Both of these pieces of legislation helped bring students and family members onto campus. As far as the College of Business & Economics goes, I have been able to network with club leaders to work on helping COBE organizations become more involved on campus and know that ASBSU is here for support. Some exciting ideas and initiatives have come about for this coming spring semester. Some exciting things are coming for the College of Business & Economics with the planning of the new Business Building coming in a few years to campus. Students should be involved with the planning stages. I will encourage all clubs and organizations to attend the planning meetings in the spring semester. COBE students should express their ideas and provide input to ensure the college acts in their best interest.
Gracie Bingham
Platform included with answers:
Accessibility
We are still planning on putting out a newsletter with senators’ office hours. We’ve had high turnover in senators from the election last March and a slow start to legislation, so by second semester we should have hours, senators, and a more steady stream of legislation nailed down in a newsletter. It’s been a learning curve for everybody, and we expect to enter the second semester as a more well-oiled and efficient machine.
Community outreach
Community outreach by volunteering first begins with our members going out and volunteering and becoming aware of the opportunities available to students. Many of us have volunteered for VSB’s Service Saturdays and for other organizations. The “Can U of I” food drive is a good example of offering an incentive to get students involved in helping out the community.
Pianos
This is currently my pet project. I’d initially wanted to fund the purchase of one new Steinway piano to be put in the practice rooms for use, but I realize that with the very high cost of pianos it will be difficult to get legislation passed through providing for the direct purchase of one. I’ve changed direction and I’m now brainstorming fundraising ideas with a possible contribution by ASBSU.
Though I think purchasing a piano is a good use of student fees, I’m sure others will disagree with me, given the high cost of pianos. I’ve been in contact with the music department and Jim Ogle – the Foundation president in charge of the Steinway initiative. I’ve also been planning a presentation to highlight the poor quality of the pianos. I have not yet written legislation because of the immense amount of research and careful inquiry into the financial code before I will be able to hammer out a workable piece of legislation. I do not believe in rushing legislation to appear as though I’m doing something – students should realize that no legislation does not necessarily mean that there I am doing no work toward my projects. Quality is more important in legislation than quantity.
Geo Engberson
Platform included with answers:
Student involvement
As Senator I have not only voted for legislation that promotes student involvement, but I have also attended new student orientation fairs to talk with incoming students to try and motivate them to get involved
on campus.
Smoke free campus
A smoke free campus was a major concern of mine when I ran for office. However, during my first week this semester I was informed that the ball was already rolling and that a smoke free campus announcement was pending. So handy enough, that was taken care of for me.
SHIP reform
I have researched SHIP and have found that it isn’t nearly as bad as I originally thought, however, it still needs to be improved and students need more options.
Legalize concealed weapons on campus
I have researched the bill put in motion by the UI senate last year, and I have looked into Utah’s laws which allow concealed weapons on campus. I plan on initiating a poll next semester to quantify the opinions of students regarding concealed weapons. Should this poll indicate that the student body would be open to concealed weapons on campus, I will proceed to work with other state universities to get a bill through the Idaho legislature that doesn’t just die in committee.
Fiscal responsibility for senate
I quickly became known as the most fiscally conservative Senator among my peers. I think that my record in the Senate accurately shows my fiscal responsibility.
On more than one occasion I have been the sole dissenting voice on legislation regarding spending, however, I am usually more successful in rallying enough senators to keep out wasteful spending.
Mark Bathrick
Platform:
- Promote greater cooperation between the graduate and undergraduate population.
- Foster more opportunities for graduate students to interact with one another.
My name is Mark Bathrick and I am the Graduate College Senator for ASBSU. I currently, have been meeting with the Dean and Associate Dean of the Graduate College on a monthly basis in an attempt to build a repore with the faculty and staff and find new ways in the future to not only better the Graduate College but also get it more involved on campus. Next semester we hope to have an organization specifically for all graduate students on campus that will sponsor events between students in the Graduate College and undergraduates.
In regards to the criticism received by the Senate this year, I would encourage all students whether you are satisfied or dissatisfied with your student government and Boise State to become involved in Student Government, by attending our twice a week meetings or scheduling appointments with any of us to just discuss what your thoughts are regarding BSU. I think I echo the entire Senate when I say that we would love to have as much student input and advice as possible. I look forward to hearing from you, especially any students in the Graduate College, and hope everyone has a great break.
MarkBathrick@boisestate.edu
Kelsey Ferrel
Platform:
- Recycling
- Student involvement
- Volunteering
For recycling this year on the executive staff they have actually appointed a recycling coordinator to handle the “GO GREEN” for BSU. I was working on providing more facilities to be provided for students and staff to recycle goods on campus but handed all my information over to our new recycling coordinator and she is working hard to make things happen.
As for student scholarships, I hope to work on this more in the spring. I was getting my feet wet this fall semester learning the ins and outs of ASBSU and hope to put something on that could benefit student scholarships.
For the volunteering aspect of ASBSU I hope that we could do more. We fulfilled out volunteer requirements this year by helping out with volunteer service board’s poverty dinner night. But next semester I would like to see more volunteer work through ASBSU.
This last semester I have tried my best to get a good name out there for ASBSU. We set up meetings with the University 101 classes to talk to them about getting involved on school and how they can go about it. We were able to tell them about all the different organizations on campus and what each of them have to offer.
I haven’t heard anything negative about funding the arm chair football this year but I thought that was a great opportunity to fund a project that students attend every away game. We have an average of 250 people show up to cheer on the broncos. This was students and community members that was able to benefit from the food that we were able to provide for four
away games.
As for the Poverty Bill that was tabled, that went against our financial code so if Senate passed it, it would have gotten vetoed anyway. We aren’t saying that we don’t support what VSB was trying to do, ASBSU was just not allowed to mostly fund the event. We helped out by volunteering for them and wish we could do more but our hands were tied due to our code.
Justin White
What White said he’s accomplished this semester:
Advocate for the arts
Sponsored a bill that would let the clarinet club attend the World Clarinet Conference allowing them to networks with someone the finest musicians in the world. This also helped promote the good name of Boise State as more then a
football school.
I also sponsored a bill to purchase a smart board for the Music Education program to help future music educators be more prepared to enter the classroom setting. Senate was in full support of this bill unfortunately the State Board of Education would not allow us to use our funds for this purpose. We are currently exploring other possibilities on this matter.
Community Service
Sponsored the poverty bill that was intended to help promote and give to poverty needs during poverty week. Unfortunately it did not receive enough votes to pass but I was able to organize a service project where member of the senate help set up for the poverty banquet.
Co-sponsor to a holiday help bill that gives money to needy families in the community. With this passed ASBSU will be buying gifts for a few families that are going through hard time
this Christmas.
A more united student body
Sponsored a bill to help the University Housing Association cover the costs involved in renting the Stueckle Sky Center for a winter dance next semester that will be open the to entire student body. This activity is intended for bringing together commuter students with on campus students.
Supporter of the clubs
I have been an active member of FAB (Financial Advisory Board) a committee that redistributes money from a grant fund for clubs. I have voted in favor for giving the most amount of money to EVERY club that I have reviewed. This money if for the students and they should get every last cent
of it!
Campus life
Written a resolution that expresses the concern that student government has about its meal plans and especially the meal plan equivalency in the Interactive Learning Center.
Kayleigh Jack
Platform:
- Campus beatification
- Green Campus
- School spirit and traditions
Kayleigh Jack did not respond to The Arbiter’s inquiries.
Joel Henretty
Platform:
- Tax-free textbooks
- Make Boise State a more beautiful campus
- Make Boise State a more green campus
- Promote campus diversity at Boise State
- Promote school spirit traditions
My name is Joel Henretty and I am in my second term as an at-large senator for the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU). I am also the Pro Tempore for the ASBSU Senate. I was asked to write about how well I’ve accomplished the goals of my platform when I ran for reelection last year. With the limited amount of space I have been given I could try and boast all my accomplishments, but I’m not going to do that. The biggest problem we face in the ASBSU Senate is the lack of interest students take in their university. Those that do have problems or dissatisfaction only complain about them, and do nothing to make positive change. My goal in refusing to write about what I’ve done so far this year as an at-large senator and as the Senate Pro Tempore is to see if the students really care about what I do. If you genuinely want to know I cordially invite you to a senate meeting. Meetings are every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in The Forum in the Student Union Building. I want to create a dialogue between myself and the students of Boise State. If you cannot attend a senate meeting my email is joelhenretty@boisestate.edu. I look forward to hear from you.
COMPILED BY ARBITER STAFF
