On Tuesday, Oct. 9, the 111th Associated Student of the University of Wyoming student government (ASUW) Senate voted to overturn President Saber Smith’s veto of Senate Bill #2898 Office Move Approval Act.
Not only was the Senate in a disparity over the issue, there were plenty in the gallery who came to voice their concerns over the estimated $448,514, as stated in their ASUW Fall Issues survey, office movement and renovation.
“I think it is a gross overreach and misuse of funds to allocate $231,000 dollars of student fed funds for your own personal gain,” said Bradon Veech, a member of Turning Point and a junior studying history.
“I feel that- voting for this bill will not only negatively affect your campaigns in the future but I think it will turn the study body against any other decision you choose to make.”
“I would like to point out that, last week I was told that I’m not informed enough to speak on this bill. With that in mind I just have some questions to clarify my knowledge. My first question is, is accessibility being used as a front to get this new office?” Owen Fink, first year senator, said.
“My second question is, does anyone know if the costs of this project are fixed, or will they continue to climb as they have climbed since this project has been proposed?”
Most of these concerns were raised in a public forum, and many in the gallery had before questions could be answered and clarifications could be made and prior to the debate.
“No one is going to make you vote aye, but at the end of the day this is a once in a generational chance to have a really good space and to use money that are not student fee dollars and to do something that will help all the people sitting in your chairs 10 years from now,” Senator Artemis Langford in her argument for overturning the veto.
“I think there is a largest issue that has come about. . .” said Senator Jonathan Brown. “The brightest minds we could find on campus could not care enough. . . It doesn’t really matter where our office is or where it looks like, if we’re not inviting as a body, people won’t come to it.”
Although senators quickly made their stances about the office movement bill known during the debate, one other concern was consistent among them: a disconnect between the student body and ASUW.
“We are not the voice of ASUW. We are not an echo-chamber, we are not a bubble, we could encourage accessibility, collaboration, and a better relationship between the student body and ASUW, but what if nothing changes? What if it all stays the same? What have we accomplished? We want students to feel more welcome to come and visit us but at the same time why are we not pushing for senators to go out? Why are students coming to us? Why are we not going to them?” said Senator Ven Meester.
The ultimate vote was 16-4-1, and done by roll-call.
The next ASUW meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on Oct. 17, 2023.
