The Associated Students, Inc. Senate voted on Wednesday to approve a time extension for adopting a policy agenda, violating the ASI bylaws.
The ASI bylaws state that the senate shall “no later than the last day of October, adopt a policy agenda… outlining goals, priorities and the general direction of the senate” for the academic year.
The policy agenda will have to go through three readings and revisions before it can be finalized and adopted by the ASI wholly, according to Robert’s Rule of Order.
“This is the road map of the year,” Executive Director of ASI Richard Haller said. “It needs to be narrowed down and have focus and clarity; it needs the proper amount of time to be revised.”
Vice President Nayiri Baghdassarian presented the policy agenda that outlines this year’s goals to the senate. The goals were originally drafted by the board before the start of the fall semester.
“It’s good to keep the goals primarily vague so that there is room for flexibility in the future drafts of the goal,” said Baghdassarian. “Of course we want to narrow down our goals for the students to understand, and that’s what we’re going to do today.”
The draft presented listed four goals. The first goal is to “increase outreach to students, organizations, faculty, staff, etc.” using two tactics of outreach.
One tactic presented was named “100 days, 100 classes” where each senator must reach out to 100 classes and talk about what ASI is as well as ASI’s role on campus.
The second goal listed was to “increase sustainability efforts on campus.” The board suggested adding tactics that would make the college more energy independent and sustainable.
“I definitely think that having a student-run bicycle repair shop on campus would help with sustainability on campus,” ASI Senator Jose Salazar said.
“I like the general direction that the ASI is headed with sustainability,” Engineering major Rae Rivera said. “It’s really nice to see the campus heading in a more environmental impactful direction.”
In the reading, two goals were added to the policy agenda. The first is that the ASI follow through with the promises made regarding the USU Referendum.
The second goal added was suggested by Dr. Jeane Caveness, the ASI President’s designee. Caveness suggested that a goal be added on domestic violence prevention and awareness.
“A lot of attention on violence prevention, many campuses have included a prevention goal, we should do the same and put us in the mainstream,” Caveness said.
“It’s important that students are aware of violence whether it is on or off campus,” junior theater arts major Emily Pask said. “It’s nice that the ASI recognizes this as something important and attainable.”
The policy agenda will be read and revised in two more Senate meetings before it will be adopted by the ASI Senate.