Student government leaders are planning to move ahead with the HOUSE party platform of diversity, inclusivity, sustainability and transparency, as well as increase student participation in ASUU as the school year begins later this month.
There are services ASUU provides every year, such as the collegiate readership program, tutoring and planning events, but each administration adds new programs to the mix.
“Each administration has their own ways of making the campus their place,” said president Sam Ortiz, a senior in social work. Ortiz was sworn in as president earlier this summer after former president Nick Ferre was impeached due to low grades. Ortiz, formerly Ferre’s vice president, took office in June.
“We want to make sure that every classroom is a safe environment and that the campus environment is safe regardless of student background or who they are,” Ortiz said. “I hope to work with faculty to ensure that they have policies to deal with discrimination, racism, sexism, etc. that may occur.”
Ortiz, senior class president Kendahl Melvin, a senior in political science, and the appointed members of the executive cabinet make up the executive branch of ASUU. The 17 members of the executive cabinet oversee 16 boards and committees. Each board has their own responsibilities and goals every year.
For example, the Government Relations Board seeks to increase student involvement with local government.
“This year is going to be amazing. We will be preparing for our annual ‘Civic Engagement’ conference, rolling out a new program called U Rep, getting students involved in the political process and representing the university at the capital during the 2013-2014 legislative session,” said board director Mike Bird.
Braxton Dutson, director of the Student Advocacy Board is gearing up for a number of service projects, including starting up a food pantry for low-income students. Dutson also said he plans on holding an educational event to teach students about investing and getting out of debt, and an event with the Clothesline Project to raise awareness about sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
Faeiza Javed, director of community service, is excited for the blood drive that her board is hosting on Sept. 3 through Sept. 6. This year, her board will collaborate with the Bennion Community Service Center on six large-scale projects throughout the year. The board will also see partnerships with the BEACON mentoring program and the Bachelor of Social Work Student Association.
From governmental relations to student advocacy to community service, ASUU plans to draw more students to its efforts to improve the campus community.
“As senior class president, it would be my goal to encourage all students to participate in ASUU,” Melvin said.
Ortiz, while advocating student involvement, aims to plan for the future as well as the present.
“My term is only one year. My goal is to develop these plans and programs so that the foundation is strong enough for future student leaders, students and faculty,” he said.
Besides the executive branch, ASUU also includes the legislative branch and the judicial branch.
In the legislative branch, 16 students comprise the Senate and 48 students are representatives in the Assembly. The Senate oversees legislation for student advisory councils. The Assembly appropriates funds to student organizations.
The Supreme Court — the judicial branch — holds the power of constitutional review applicable to any action taken by members and groups in ASUU.