The undergraduate student government on the Downtown campus has stopped using “ASASUD” as its name in preference of “USGD,” but the current use of the new title has not been officially approved, possibly putting the new administration in violation of the Downtown government’s constitution.
ASASUD changed the name on its official website to USGD and has distributed official documents under the moniker since ASASUD began using their new name early this summer. With the use of the USGD name extending to social media pages and the email signatures of many of its members, the ASASUD name has essentially been dropped.
Use of the name began after officials decided the university would be better served to have all campus governments use similar names.
Though the unapproved name change appears to be in violation of ASASUD’s constitution, the current administration does not believe it is or that the name change has to be officially approved. However, there is disagreement among members of the Executive Board as to whether official approval will be sought.
Downtown student government President Joseph Grossman said he is not entirely sure if his administration will try to change the constitution to reflect the name change as he does not see the necessity to do so.
The Tempe campus student government, commonly known as Undergraduate Student Government, has advertised itself under a name other than the official Associated Students of Arizona State University (Tempe campus) for years, Grossman said.
However, the USG name is a constitutionally recognized, independent organization beneath the ASASU umbrella that also includes the Graduate and Professional Student Association.
The Downtown student government will work to have USGD be constitutionally recognized as well, said Danielle Chavez, the organization’s director of public relations, in contrast to Grossman. Chavez added that the current use of the term is not a constitutional violation.
“We know our official name is still ASASUD,” Chavez said. “Unless we say our official name is USGD it isn’t in violation of the constitution. It is just a marketing means for now.”
Currently, Article I of the ASASUD constitution states, “the name of this organization shall be Associated Students of Arizona State University Downtown (ASASUD).”
A violation of the ASASUD constitution in the spring by a sitting senator resulted in him being ineligible to continue in his position.
Though the name USGD is yet to receive constitutional approval, its use was accepted by the ASU Presidents Council, comprised of the various student government presidents, and is supported by President Michael Crow and the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communication, Chavez said.
Use of USGD would allow for consistency across all four campuses, but the student government should be careful to change the name through proper channels, said former freshmen class senator Daiyaan Colbert.
“You can’t just change the name of a governing body for promotional purposes,” Colbert said. “You have to do it by the constitution.”
The Downtown student government plans to change its name to USGD through a referendum, Chavez said.
Putting the vote to referendum will allow the name to be implemented “as soon as possible and no later than the following semester,” according to Article XII of the Downtown constitution.
Article XII also states that any proposed amendment requires a petition with more than 100 signatures to be put to a senate vote.
The Senate must then pass the proposal with 2/3’s majority before it goes to the students for a simple majority-wins vote.
It is unclear whether the issue will be addressed Friday at the first senate meeting of the 2011-2012 school year.
Contact the reporter at connor.radnovich@asu.edu
