ASUW President Joel Defebaugh commended the University of Wyoming Alert System at ASUW’s meeting Tuesday night.
“When we met with the Board of Trustees last week, one of their biggest concerns was security on campus, and how amazing was it that as I sat in class to see the UW Alert rolling and within minutes the suspect was caught?” Defebaugh said. “I think we can say that we are doing the best we can in terms of campus safety.”
UW President Tom Buchanan’s retirement also was discussed at the Board of Trustees meeting and Defebaugh said he and the board have started looking for the next UW president.
After a discussion, former Residence Hall Association President Brandon Hayes was approved for the Chief of Staff position. ASUW went back through the application process after it failed to approve Jake Calzavara in the first week.
This time, only two applications were received for the position.
“My concern is that there was no committee and we haven’t seen the other applicant,” Senator Alex Brink said.
Defebaugh reminded members of ASUW of the importance of a chief of staff and that one was needed soon.
“I took an oath to lead responsibly, and I assure you ASUW will not be settling if Hayes is approved,” Defebaugh said.
Defebaugh also said that the plus-minus grading system was not discussed at the Board of Trustees meeting due to a lack of time, but the board did acknowledge that most of the students were opposed to changing the grading scale.
ASUW finished surveying students on the plus-minus grading system and found that 281 people out of 353 surveyed like the current grading system as it is, according to Senator Jaryd Unangst.
Director of Finance Chris Haakinson announced that $75,000 is available for student and faculty projects. The funds are available to RSOs and faculty who are interested in developing projects on campus. In order to receive the funds, a report detailing the project and how it would be beneficial must be submitted.
Haakinson also announced that ASUW still has $423,000 left in its reserve fund with a $200,000 floor.
Taylor Schmick, director of student programming and sustainability, announced that after meeting with the Bike Safety Committee, UW will be eliminating the bike lanes on campus and they are also looking into getting new bike racks for campus.
Assistant Dean of Students for Leadership Development Helen Alatorre addressed ASUW and said that STOP Violence Program will host the Second Annual Slut Walk on September 24 at 5 p.m.
“The Slut Walk is a re-shaping of Take Back the Night which occurred after a comment was made that if a woman would not have been dressed scandalous then she would not have been raped,” Alatorre said. “The Slut Walk is held to raise awareness for language and how it can affect people.”
ASUW also voted to grant $1,790 to the First Year Institute, which is a freshman leadership program. The money was granted as the program will partially be held in Steamboat Springs because the campus recreation camp was damaged from flooding.
