The Associated Students of the University of Wyoming (ASUW) passed legislation to restructure their notoriously long meetings and celebrated accomplishments among their ranks after a turbulent start to the 2023 spring semester.
In two months time, ASUW hired seven new senators to fill their vacant seats, began the momentous task of constructing their substantial budget, and represented the UW student body as several controversial bills make their way through state legislation.
Now, ASUW turns their focus inward. In Tuesday’s senate meeting, Senate Bill #2853 – Reforming Communications, Special Events, and the Order of Business for ASUW Senate Meeting, passed by unanimous vote.
Proceedings began with a presentation from ASUW’s strategic partner Sustainability Coalition, an organization committed to creating sustainability through efforts in environmental, social and economic spheres.
Student leaders Kami Grimm and colleague Walker Koberlein, both seniors in environmental systems science and environment and natural resources, laid out their semester plans.
With a focus on addressing food insecurity and issues of waste reduction on campus, the coalition, soon to merge with faculty and staff Sustainability Committee, is implementing a new alert system for students to have access to food that would otherwise be wasted.
“So if there’s leftover food, anywhere on campus, it will text you and will be like this is how much food there is. This is how much time you have to come pick it up. It’s really awesome in combating food insecurity on campus and eliminating food waste. It’s like tackling two issues at once.” said Grimm.
Other goals include spreading awareness of UW’s 16 FoodShare pantries across campus, and continuations of their Washakie Meal swipe donations, and a program they call “Trash Talk.” Grimm explained the Sustainability Coalition’s other initiatives at Washakie.
“So a couple of ways we [support sustainability] are through waste audits or food waste buffets, as we like to call them. We stand right in front of the conveyor belt and just collect any edible food that anyone is trying to throw away.”
“And we do this not only as an encouragement to students to not waste as much or less on their plate, but also to encourage the university to develop an on campus composting system for any type of Washakie waste.”
As state legislatures debate bills which have the potential to directly impact students at all levels of education, ASUW discussed the status of Senate File #0175, a bill which would require schools to adopt policies regarding hazing, harassment, and bullying. The bill is considered all but dead.
Supporters of the bill, Elena Jaruszewski and Interfraternity Council (IFC) president Mason Brummell, and Senator Bouma who authored anti-hazing legislation read before Wyoming’s Senate Education Committee, expressed gratitude to the senate despite the bill’s failure.
“I just wanted to thank all of you.” said Brummell.
“Everyone that worked on us for this project. I think I speak for both me and Elena, when I say this was truly an amazing experience. We learned a ton. All of you were incredibly helpful.”
For his dedicated work on the Anti-Hazing Legislation and other IFC issues, Brummell was elected student at large of the month following his nomination by Senator Bouma.
Acknowledgements continued with the election of Senator of the month. Though senators made heartfelt endorsements for their nominees, Senator Willis was ultimately chosen.
Senate Bill #2853 promises a total restructuring of senate proceedings in the interest of time and relevance. By Tuesday, Feb. 14, ASUW will move to bi-weekly communications and special events.
“Old Business”, the deliberation and voting section of the meeting, often considered the most important, will happen earlier in meeting proceedings.
With fresh new faces and new meeting structures, ASUW is poised to enter their contentious election session with revitalized energy.
