The Associated Students of the University of Arizona Senate approved a resolution outlining the distinction between the senate, ASUA Near You and funding for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences club fair. Additionally, the senate engaged in conversation surrounding how to better prevent bike theft on campus.
ASUANY advocates for students attending and taking classes at UA virtually. This resolution was proposed after faculty and student confusion between ASUA and ASUANY, and distinguishes that ASUANY is a separate initiative from ASUA.
“Their intention is to be a student support group and network,” Executive Vice President Benjamin Huffman said. “However, they are framing themselves as if they are another separate student government entity like ourselves.”
Huffman went on to explain that this included using ASUA’s logo, constitution and bylaws. Ultimately, the proposal clarified that ASUANY is an advisory council rather than a student government, and the senate pledged to better advocate for the needs and concerns of online UA students.
The senate also approved funding for the first School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Club Fair on Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the mall. About 13 clubs will be tabling, and the club fair is open to all students regardless of major.
“There are going to be gifts given to students who participate in the fair and go around to clubs where they can win money for groceries,” College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Senator Selena Morales said.
The Budget and Oversight Committee announced they are still approving appropriations requests from clubs for the spring semester. Over the past week, ASUA senate allocated over $8,000 to a variety of student organizations.
The Elections and Policy Committee shared that the deadlines for candidates to turn in their election packets was moved back. The committee hoped this delay would help improve voter and candidate turnout, especially among smaller colleges.
Additionally, Aparna Chandrasekar shared that she discussed ideas to avoid bike theft on campus, specifically in the North District. This comment sparked a discussion among the senate about possible initiatives and steps that could be taken to prevent bike theft.
Some of the ideas the senate discussed included possibly allowing students to rent stronger bike locks and looking at more secure bike storage on campus by CatCard access. Senators continued sharing ideas about safety measures that have worked on other campuses and other students.
“Students had bike locks and yet their bikes were still getting stolen,” Huffman said. “I think that’s a great issue for us to take some time to try and figure out with the correct decision makers.”
College of Science Senator Elizabeth Ghartey highlighted a research readiness program with the college of science preparing and encouraging students to engage in research. Ghartey hopes to advertise this program during the upcoming admitted student days.
The Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health Senator Mariam Rana shared that she is hoping to gain more voter participation from the College of Public Health by tabling on the medical campus and sharing information about ASUA.
“I think it’s a great way of letting them know what ASUA is,” Rana said. “Spreading the word to those students since they don’t really know what is happening on the main campus is my main goal.”
College of Information Science Senator Humza Sheikh highlighted his college’s participation in the Cactus Con Cybersecurity conference and a new club council for the College of Information Science.
Huffman closed the meeting by highlighting the progress being made by the City of Tucson on the HAWK light being built on the intersection of Euclid Avenue and Second Street near campus.
“Not only are we there to say that we are still committed to safety, but we actually have a date we should have it finished and constructed,” Huffman said. “They are saying by early May.”’
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