ASUI met on Jan. 29, still recovering from their long days on the legislative ambassador trip to Boise from Jan. 24-26. Organized by President Martha Smith and Director of Legislative Affairs Bryant Sitts, 25 students were able to view legislative proceedings in the state capital firsthand.
Student body members shared about their attendance and about meeting with Idaho legislators such as Rep. Monica Church and Sen. Dan Foreman.
Smith summarized the trip itinerary for those who did not attend. Other activities included a tour of the Capitol and a lunch attended by UI alumni and a few legislators.
Smith expressed appreciation to the students who endured the 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. schedule, requiring them to wake up at 3:30 a.m. local time, but strongly believes it was worth it for the educational opportunity, calling it a “great use of student time.”
The ASUI meeting began with an open forum where a return guest from the Never Again Foundation, who asked to be identified as “William,” spoke on antisemitism occurring recently in the community. He claimed that he received bigoted comments online after advertising free Hanukkah goodie bags for Jewish residents of Moscow.
William stated at least one of the comments was made by a public account belonging to a UI student, but definitive evidence was not provided. He asked the ASUI Senators how they could allow such “unvirtuous acts to occur.”
William also appeared at last week’s City Council meeting where he presented the same antisemitic comments and begged for the assembly to take action to protect the Jewish community in Moscow.
Director of Student Involvement Brandon Brackett spoke about the upcoming student achievement awards. This year, the requirement for a letter of recommendation has been removed in hopes of increasing the number of nominations. The event will happen April 11 and the School of Jazz will provide live music. A survey accepting nominations will be sent out soon.
An architect will visit campus Feb. 4-5 to discuss a potential expansion of the Student Recreation Center. Smith encouraged ASUI to speak with him if possible, stating the importance of student input in the design. The project is estimated to be completed in 10-15 years.
Two bills were passed, S25-R03 and S25-R04, which will provide funding for the purchase of tickets to the Black Excellence Gala and the Taste of Nepal, respectively. Both bills were passed unanimously by the senate.
S25-R01, which thanked former Vandal football Head Coach Jason Eck, had an amendment proposed by Vice President Emma Johnston to additionally congratulate replacement Head Coach Thomas Ford.
“ASUI has been consistent in supporting athletics,” said Sen. Harrison Brown in agreement with the proposal. It will be voted on next week.
Johnston also mentioned an upcoming bill which would add an incentivizing raffle to ASUI meetings in hopes of increasing audience turnout.
Ma. Lezly Macias, Director of Community and Civic Engagement, has begun arranging for event spaces at which students can register to vote in the upcoming state election on May 20.
Emily Roberts, Director of Safety, Health and Wellness, will meet with the Director of CPA to discuss the installation of flashing crosswalks and increased lighting on campus.