A new facet of ASUA is in the works for those who can’t commit.
Sen. Dominick San Angelo revisited the idea of the ASUA Reserves at the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Senate meeting on Wednesday.
The Reserves would serve as an opportunity for a wide range of people who, for various reasons, don’t want to immerse themselves in student politics, but would like to get their feet wet.
The idea is a collaborative project between Sen. Garrett Voge, Sen. Lindsay Hartgraves and San Angelo.
San Angelo said he envisions the program being for freshmen, working students, “”retired”” leaders, the passively interested, philanthropists, area representatives and student leaders.
The Reserves would be available to those in ASUA who need assistance for various projects.
Sen. San Angelo said he anticipates the Reserves generating marketing for ASUA.
ASUA President Emily Fritze said she had heard people questioning the name “”The Reserves”” because it may imply that those members are lesser.
For now the name is unofficial.
Some concern has been raised that the Reserves would introduce students to ASUA in a negative “”slave labor”” light, San Angelo said. To clarify this, he said it would be for shadowing opportunities.
“”This is something you would simply sign up for,”” San Angelo said.
He said he imagines the group having optional monthly meetings with the requirement of attending one or two meetings a semester.
Members would be required to sign up to assist with at least one project a year or a semester, Hartgraves said.
“”I think this can really be utilized,”” said ASUA Executive Vice President Katherine Weingartner. “”One of the criticisms of ASUA is students can’t get involved. I know, at least for my office, that this is one way we can engage students in helping us do outreach.””
Weingartner also said she saw it as a way for freshmen to discover which clubs they like and an opportunity for ASUA to take the time to visit every club, something that has not been done before.
San Angelo said he plans to present the proposed bylaws at next week’s meeting.
