After the calm of “Sylly Week,” the Associated Students of the University of Arizona brainstormed on improving all areas of campus, from campus clothing drives to student involvement in the fine arts, during their first formal senate meeting Wednesday night. 

Guest Speakers Grant Insight to On Campus Opportunities

Hannah Picknell, campus organizer for the New Voters Project of Arizona PIRG Students, spoke about her role in registering students to vote.

“Our goal is to register at least 2,000 students to vote,” she said. To complete their goals, she mentioned that they aspire to get tables out to the UA Mall and present their platform. 

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Jeffrey Jones spoke on behalf of University Information Technology Services to discuss the low turnout of students utilizing the program before the deadline. 

He noted that the deadline for setting up the program is coming soon, and students may not be able to access and turn in their work like they have been able to previously. 

“Passwords need to be secure, and we need your help to get more people enrolled,” he said. “Cut off dates are coming up very soon … September 24 is the deadline for graduate and professional students; October 1 for sophomores, juniors, and seniors and October 8 is freshmen.”

Teach for America Recruitment Manager Corey Herdegen also demonstrated her program for the senate, noting the importance of high quality education, especially at public schools in at-risk communities. 

One goal of Teach for America is to direct more state funding towards public school education. 

“Our goal is to help end educational inequity,” Herdegen said. “Opportunity is not equally distributed in this country, but potential is.”

Applications for Teach for America are due on Sept. 14. 

New Ideas to Expand Community within ASUA

Senator Madeline Melichar has expressed interest in acquiring business cards for members of the senate to not only expand their campaign, but also to support other clubs, sports and organizations. 

All agreed on the proposal, and business cards will be made. 

Additionally, Senator Katie Christopher is taking the opportunity to apply herself to a new organization similar to UA Campus Pantry: the Campus Closet. 

“I definitely believe it would be a great opportunity to have [the ASUA] work on it,” she said. 

She split up the roles for senators to apply for positions and help with the clothing drive. This includes outreach, fundraising, logistics, marketing/social media and volunteer coordinating. 

Christopher identifies the purpose of the Campus Closet as something students can reach out for in a time of need, especially in job interviews. 

“Sometimes people don’t have the money to afford clothes for interviews. They’re trying to get a job and trying to get money, but they are limited with [what they have to wear].” 

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The Process of Making Change

Last week, ASUA discussed new ways to implement and provide for different departments on campus. 

Senator Brennen Feder wants to offer more resources to possible incoming students of the university by “offering our resources to them as future Wildcats.”

Feder also met with the dean at the College of Education to increase resources for off-campus teaching students. 

Senator Tara Singleton plans to continue working with Students for Sustainability in getting their goals accomplished. 

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