On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the session of the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming passed several bills with much discussion but little contention—including a slight increase of student fees and the student senate’s version of the 2019 fiscal year budget.
Senate Bill 2597 was the night’s first piece of legislation, ASUW’s recommendation for an increase of student fees amounting to about $16 per student, per semester, or 2.3 percent of current fees, to cover social and entertainment events as well as practical services on campus. Along with the proposed 2019 budget, ASUW will be in charge of $43 of students’ $674 in student fees, an amount just shy of $812,000. These funds are allotted to RSOs and 7220 Entertainment.
Next were SB 2598, revising and improving the ASUW Honorary Cowboy Award program, and SB 2599, creating new seats on the senate to expand student representation and include students in sole-degree programs at UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources and the School of Energy Resources.
SB 2600, ASUW’s recommended budget for 2019, garnered much discussion centered on the allotment of funds to the United Multicultural Council, a program of ASUW, for costs associated with events such as drag shows and diversity conferences—as well as the proper means to account for them.
After amendments to accommodate UMC’s request for additional funds, ASUW’s version of the recommended 2019 budget was passed unanimously.
Following up were two bills centered on construction programs that have been stalled or are otherwise in question.
SB 2601 expressed ASUW’s support for the UW 10-Year Housing Plan and opposition to state-imposed moratoriums on construction, as well as urging the State Legislature to support and invest in the project and other goals of the UW 2017-2022 Strategic Plan—while demanding autonomy to decide how to implement and finance any housing projects on campus.
Finally, SB 2601 did much the same for the UW Science Initiative, expressing the student senate’s support and urging the release of all necessary funds from the state, which have already been appropriated but still require additional approval to allow their expenditure.
Also on the agenda was a presentation from Kyle Moore, associate vice provost of enrollment, focusing on enrollment trends, goals and new strategies to attract incoming students and boost excitement and engagement—future UW students receiving acceptance letters can now look forward to colorful pop-up cowboy displays rather than plain letters and envelopes.
