On Sept. 24, the Associated Students of the University of Arizona Senate discussed multiple funding updates and recapped their listening session with the UA Provost Patricia Prelock.
The Budget and Oversight Committee announced their work on official planning requests for clubs seeking funding under ASUA.
“If they are recognized by ASUA they are eligible for funding,” Executive Vice President Benjamin Huffman said.
As discussed by Huffman, clubs will begin to submit their budgetary and funding requests through the appropriations board, which will then be approved, amended or denied. Requests will ultimately be moved for approval by the entire senate.
The Elections Committee expressed hopes to gain more voter participation by reaching out specifically to more students who are remote or studying on satellite campuses of the UA.
Provost’s listening session
Student Body President Adriana Grijalva recapped the Provost’s listening session for both undergraduate and graduate students. Some of the topics that students were most concerned about surrounded issues like financial stress, mental wellbeing and safety on campus.
Students also called for more accountability and communication from the university and its administration. “We know that there’s a lot of things federally happening and a lot of changes here at the university,” Grijalva said.
Amidst student safety concerns, Grijalva urged the senate to help advertise the SafeCats app. SafeCats launched in August, working to consolidate multiple safety features like the BlueLight system, SafeRide and Friend Walk into just one place. One of the features highlighted was Work Alone.
“You put a time to check in on you and your phone will call you and if you don’t immediately answer, it will call your emergency contact,” Grijalva said.
Student culture and engagement hub
Grijalva also highlighted the changes and consolidation of the cultural resource centers into a new student culture and engagement hub. She explained that co-directors Dominique Calza and Kenneth Importante will oversee the changes the centers will undergo, including the alteration of many of their names.
“Students have the opportunity to work together with their councils to create names that are unique to them,” Grijalva said. “We wanted to make sure students had an opportunity to be a part of that process.”
Many of the centers and their student councils have not yet decided on their new name, but can still be found in their assigned spaces.
Coming up on campus
Senators also discussed some upcoming events. BeKind Bear Down is an initiative that is launching to promote kindness campus-wide. Senators mentioned that BeKind Bear Down will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Bear Down Gym.
The ASUA Senate also discussed UA Alcohol Awareness Week as well as Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, which is from Oct. 19-25. ASUA will partner with UA Campus Health to plan events throughout the week promoting alcohol awareness and education.
Huffman reminded senators that they will not meet on Oct. 8, as he and Administrative Vice President Katie Kelliher will travel to the Big 12 Associated Students’ Conference.
