Rolling in the new academic year, the Associated Students of the University of Arizona received a new presidential board for the 2015-2016 school year. The board is excited to announce many changes both on campus and within the student government.
Last year, ASUA proposed and passed a senate reform in their constitution’s bylaws. The new reforms allows designated senators to represent each of the 17 colleges on campus. Given this opportunity, a total of 20 senators will enact policies for a stronger focus on the students in each academic college.
“The Elections Commission and the marketing department in ASUA are already doing a great job at marketing the new senate reform,” said ASUA President Manny Felix. “They want to make sure students are aware of this great opportunity.”
One of the organization’s goals is to help students become more educated voters by gearing up for the upcoming national elections in 2016. The student government is working to implement ideas on how to engage students and encourage them to be more actively involved.
ASUA will also continue to promote sexual assault awareness on campus. ASUA Sen. Matt Lubisich proposed a campaign against sexual assault modeled after the University of Michigan’s “I Will” campaign. According to Lubisich, the campaign will take place in late January or early February. ASUA will join Krista Millay from the Women’s Resource Center and other Wildcat Events Board members, Lubisich said.
During the week-long event, several programs and clubs will have the opportunity to host their own event on how to raise sexual assault awareness on campus. Laci Green, a renowned YouTuber, public sex educator and feminist activist, will host a sex education event for students on campus to talk about topics regarding the definition of consent along with other impactful and important topics.
This year, the student government is choosing their new student regent who will work closely with the Arizona Board of Regents and the UA Office of Admissions. The student regent is the closest liaison between the university and the board.
“Valerie Hanna, [the UA]’s previous student regent, did a great job at representing the students and making sure to always keep our best interest in mind,” Felix said. “We need a student regent who will keep doing just that.”
Arrangements are currently being made for the spring semester. ASUA Office of Diversity and Inclusion co-directors Karlyn Bradley and Fernanda Bueno said they plan to host a diversity conference including cultural centers on campus, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Student Affairs, and other clubs and organizations to promote cultural inclusiveness and awareness. They also said they plan to host an open house where ASUA members will visit cultural centers to talk about ways in which ASUA can help and be more actively involved.
ASUA Executive Vice President Evan Hastings discussed the ambition ASUA has for the upcoming year and the transparency he plans to promote in his new position.
“I’m excited for this new position and look forward to see ASUA succeed in our goals this year,” Hastings said. “Jordan Allison, our previous EVP, has taught me everything I need to know, and I think my experience with ASUA has contributed well to my victory in the election.”
Felix and Hastings encourage all students at the UA to get involved in as many clubs and organizations as possible, as the variety and opportunity given on campus is widespread and will only benefit student success in the future.
“Good luck to all Wildcats on their first day of class,” Felix said.
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