Two new ASUI senators were sworn into their positions at this week’s ASUI meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
At the meeting, Julia Parker took the open forum stand and announced her campaign for Idaho State Senate. Parker currently serves as a Moscow City Council member and has been a key player in ensuring open communication between the university and the city.
Martha Smith began her speech by acknowledging the tragedy of 9/11, whose date fell on the day of the senate meeting. ASUI recognizes and honors the lives of those who were lost on this date 23 years ago.
ASUI also acknowledged the devastation that occurred in Georgia at Apalachee High School last week. ASUI Senator Julissa McDowell said it is important to express condolences for the families and students affected by this terrible act of violence and, as students ourselves, we should push to solve these problems.
Pro-Tempore Anya Zuercher spoke on this issue as well. As an education major, she feels it is important to acknowledge the bravery of the teachers, especially as she and her peers may find themselves in a similar situation in the future. The root of school shootings is not necessarily from the guns alone, she said, but also from a lack of proper mental health support.
Smith met with UI’s housing department this week to work with the Food Recovery Network, a nonprofit that connects universities and dining organizations with nonprofits to facilitate the transfer of unused food to people in need.
She also met with Dean Kahler, UI’s Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management, to discuss scheduled meet-and-greets at smaller high schools around the state. Smith said that this holds a special place in her heart as a first-generation college student from a small town.
As Smith previously discussed, she is continuously working on supplying food on Election Day to encourage students to vote. The food will be supplied by a grant from Every Vote Counts, a “student-led, nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing voter turnout and expanding voter access nationwide,” according to their website.
ASUI senators proposed a bill for $100 to purchase donuts and coffee for a meet-and-greet tabling event. Another two bills asked for $400 total for ASUI members and students to attend both Bangladesh Night and African Night. These events allow students to understand where people come from, engage with different cultures and enjoy delicious food. Often, we only meet international people when they integrate themselves into our culture; these events give us a chance to integrate into theirs, Zuercher said.
Rebekah Weaver can be reached at [email protected].