Kip DeCastro
kdecastr@uwyo.edu
First student leadership summit: “A resounding success”
Members of ASUW said the past weekend’s leadership summit was a resounding success.
According to a press release from ASUW’s Director of Governmental Affairs Grant Rogers, the Student Leadership Summit was held to discuss student issues, focusing upon student email privacy, faculty recruitment and retention and continuation of science programs and facilities initiative.
ASUW invited all members of the state legislature and other government officials. Eleven state officials showed up, including seven state representatives. Rogers said he was happy with the turn-out and that meeting with the legislators during the summit was just the beginning of ASUW’s interaction with the legislature.
“We had the expected turn out,” Rogers said. “We had a lot of resounding support but we just wanted to start the discussions.”
ASUW Vice President Emily Kath said the summit helped senators come together and helped to align state representatives with issues important to students.
“This was a brand new initiative and the senators performed incredibly well,” Kath said. “I think a lot of our own representatives became unified under issues that affect students at UW.”
Kath said the reasons for the success lie with the collaboration that came about with both students and legislators.
“The turnout by the state and ASUW was absolutely incredible which allowed for a unique opportunity for conversation between levels of representation,” Kath said.
United Way petitions ASUW to raise funds for clinic
Former gubernatorial candidate Pete Gosar appeared at ASUW along with United Way representatives and representatives from the Cowboy Country Swing RSO. The RSO and the United Way are teaming up to raise funds for the United Way and Laramie’s downtown clinic, of which Gosar was recently appointed director.
“One way that you guys can [participate] is by coming to the dance this Thursday,” Cowboy Country Swing’s representative said. “We have a $5 recommended donation.”
Associate Director of Union Operations Kim Zafft urged senators to consider donating to the United Way and attending the event.
The downtown clinic provides free health care for qualifying individuals, but those qualifications are very specific.
“You have to meet income requirements,” Gosar said. “You can’t be a fulltime student.”
Budget restrictions likely to continue
ASUW Chief of Staff Kadi Cooley said in her report to ASUW she believes the budget restrictions imposed by McGinity expire soon, but will likely be continued.
“I do expect it to be extended in a very similar fashion,” Cooley said.
Freshman Senate met with Axelson to discuss dorm concerns
In his briefing at the meeting, Freshman Senator Benjamin Wetzel said members of the Freshman Senate had met with Sara Axelson to discuss concerns relating to the relationship between students and RAs.
“Students feel like they’re being spied on, and RA’s feel like they’re being made to spy,” Wetzel said.
Wetzel said the process of reviewing dorm policies had begun, but that he could not comment further.
Upcoming legislation
A bill to increase tuition by 4 percent had its first reading last night, stating that ASUW does not support increases beyond that amount and increased tuition funds should be properly allocated.
A bill to establish a prayer and meditation space in the Union also had its first reading. The bill stated students of all backgrounds have requested such a space.
