After a nearly two and half hour long discussion with much back and forth between the ASUW members, Senate Resolution #2835: Considerations Regarding Bringing a Chick-fil-A to the University of Wyoming passed unanimously albeit with several abstentions.
The resolution acknowledges that the majority of students want a Chick-fil-A on campus and that it cannot control the decision of the Board of Trustees on whether to bring a Chick-fil-A to campus or not.
The resolution also outlines that a portion of the profits the university receives from Chick-Fil-A will be allocated to places that will reduce harm, such as groups that work with Queer and LGBTQ+ populations.
According to the US Congress, a bill is a concrete plan of action that if passed will turn into law while resolutions are expressions of the “sentiments” of either the House or Senate.
These definitions apply to the ASUW legislature as well and there were some senators who made this distinction very clear during discussion on the resolution.
“Many of our resolutions are recommendations to the Board of Trustees and other organizations, and this current resolution is useful in the reality in which we cannot force the board of trustees to do anything.” Senator Rhiannon McLean said.
“However, in their negotiations with the company, this resolution shows them what we as students want those conversations to look like.”
Senator Madison Engelby spoke on her experience in working with the Board of Trustees and said, “In my four years at ASUW, there have been times where we have given the Board of Trustees some rather direct and aggressive legislation that was demanding things and it never really goes over well.”
“So we’ve learned that these really careful suggestions are something that they are willing to discuss at a broader length. Which is what this resolution is, a carefully worded suggestion.”
ASUW’s main concern is the harm that having Chick-fil-A on campus would cause for certain populations given its anti-LGBTQ+ history. ASUW also recognizes that the majority of students do want the company at the university, so they are working to mitigate that potential harm.
AUSW President Allison Brown, during her weekly report to the Senate, mentioned a meeting she and other constituents would be having with some Chick-fil-A Public Affairs Executives.
“It will be an opportunity for us to discuss what the company is doing to actively combat the stigma against them,” Brown said.
“And we will also be raising questions that we have as a body who does have some concerns about what Chick-fil-A coming to our campus means for our Queer students.”
During the meeting, the Senate also read two new bills for the first time.
Senate Bill #2386: Amendment to Steering Committee Duties and Responsibilities, will ensure more ethical and practical practices in the Steering Committee.
Senate Bill #2387: Special Project Allocations for Fiscal Year 2023, offers guidelines on how money allocated for Special Projects be spent.
These bills will be voted in during the next meeting of the ASUW Senate which is Nov. 15 at 7:00 p.m.. All students are welcome to attend.
