The ASUW Senate met for their regular meeting. On the agenda that night they debated and voted on two bills and heard the first reading of two new bills.
Jean Garrison, Special Assistant to the Provost addressed the chamber concerning the university’s application to the Carnegie Foundation’s elective classification for community engagement.
She spoke about UW’s intention to apply and hopes for it to be granted the classification in 2024.. The stated purpose of community engagement is to connect the higher education institution and collaborate with the wider community at-large.
The Provost has convened a 40 member task force composed of different colleges, departments, units, and programs for consultation on the application process.
In President Brown’s report to the Senate, she explained multiple events that ASUW is planning to do, including the Pokes Vote Candidate Meet and Greet. Brown said that more than 40 candidates in federal, state, and local races would attend.
Notable names of those attending include Harriet Hageman, all City Council candidates, and the possibility of Governor Mark Gordon attending. The event will take place on Oct. 17, from 6 to 8:00 p.m, in the Union Center Ballroom.
The Senate considered SB#2826: Codification of ASUW Policy Regarding Stipends for ASUW Student Employees, which would abolish stipends as a form of payment to student employees in favor of hourly pay.
President Brown and multiple Senators spoke in favor of the bill and urged its passing. Passed.
The body then considered SB#2827: Restructuring of Programs and Institutional Development Standing Committee and the Advocacy, Diversity, and Policy Standing Committee. The bill’s intended purpose would reform the oversight purview and responsibilities of both committees.
Senators gave concerns over the way that the committees would be changed and were concerned that it would unfairly take away certain oversight powers of the Advocacy, Diversity, and Policy committee.
To paraphrase Senator Ashlynne Meiklejohn, the bill only clarified the roles of the committees and would not take away powers and responsibilities, rather only directing how bills would be given to them for consideration.
Sen. Anthony Castronovo moved to postpone the consideration of the bill till the next meeting to allow for committees to make amendments to the bill. After some discussion, the motion failed.
Senators recommended that the bill should fail in favor of going back to the committees to discuss the issue. The bill failed unanimously.
The Senate proceeded to hear two new bills, SB#2828: Reformation of the Vacancy Process for ASUW Senators, which would change the way of how vacancies in the Senate would be filled and moving towards an application for vacancies process.
The chamber then heard SB#2829: Codifying ASUW Policy on Pronouns and Use of Gender-Neutral Language, the bill would codify existing policies on respect for people’s pronouns and using gender neutral language in official, interpersonal, and legislative correspondence and matters.
The next meeting of the ASUW Senate is Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m., all students are welcome to attend.
