The Associated Students of the University of Arizona approved funding for a campaign against texting and driving and declared its support for a tobacco-free campus Wednesday night.
The ASUA Senate approved $1,288.19 for the ASUA Student Health Advocacy Committee’s Texting While Driving Campaign. The committee has been working with Parking and Transportation Services to implement a sign into every parking garage reminding drivers not text and drive, according to Maggie Delaney, a public health junior and intern for SHAC.
The committee would also like to be able to distribute keychains to students at various events to spread the message about the dangers of texting and driving.
“I think that it’s an awesome project,” said Sen. Valerie Hanna, adding that she was in full support of the amount of funds the campaign was requesting.
The senate also approved the Tobacco-Free Initiative Resolution. The resolution would support a tobacco-free policy for the UA campus, eliminating secondhand smoke on campus.
“I definitely think we should be supporting this resolution,” Sen. Danielle Novelly said. “I think it’s definitely going to benefit the majority of students … I think it’s just going to make the campus all around a healthier environment.”
Jared Young, executive director of Spring Fling, presented ideas for the carnival. Young said one of his goals is to get more children involved in the Kid’s Korner, participating in activities like face painting and crafts made from recyclables.
“I want this to be not just a university event but a Tucson event and make sure that everyone feels like there’s a place for them,” Young said.
The ASUA SafeRide program also gave a presentation, discussing statistics and goals for 2013. The program currently has 45 undergraduate employees and averaged 450 passengers per night from 2011 to 2012, according to Adam Klever, administrative director for SafeRide.
SafeRide is currently averaging 397 passengers per night since the beginning of 2012. Thus far, it has given rides to approximately 54,265 passengers this year.
Its goals for 2013 include expanding to 13 vehicles, increasing staff size, expanding call capacity, increasing UA community outreach, generating more funding and making small internal improvements.
Sen. Taylor Ashton said it was always interesting to see how an ASUA program or service is doing.
“I think that the numbers don’t lie, that you guys are doing a really great job,” he told Klever.
ASUA Students for Sustainability gave a presentation and requested funds for its upcoming Earth Day on April 22. The event will be taking place on the UA Mall from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and SFS said it looks to bring together the UA and the Tucson community.
Other topics discussed at the meeting were the ASUA Students for Sustainability Bylaws, Academic Enrichment Scholarship and the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act Resolution.
