The Downtown student government appointed three new senators and a director of administration and approved financial requests during Friday’s Senate meeting.
Freshmen Frank Smith III, Joshua Burton and Jasmine Crisostomo were appointed to represent University College, Barrett, the Honors College, and Health Solutions seats, respectively.
President Joseph Grossman expressed confidence in the freshmen.
“Last year we had a lot of freshmen senators,” Grossman said. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing. If we give freshmen leadership roles, they’re more likely to continue with student government.”
Smith said he was inspired to get involved and make a difference when he met Grossman and Vice President of Services Leighana Moldrem through the Sun Devil Success Program. He is filling a position that was empty last term.
“I realized I could really make a difference in the University College since it’s lacked representation,” Smith said.
Smith said one of his goals is to help students within his college determine their majors, a topic he’s already begun to talk to the dean about.
Burton, a journalism major, joined USGD to connect with other student leaders and aid students within his college and all of the Downtown campus to the best of his ability.
“Since I’m a freshmen, I’m still learning and I realize that,” Burton said. “But I want to represent (Downtown campus students) and really be there for them and help them succeed in any way I can.”
Crisostomo, a health science major, is the first female senator to be appointed this year.
“I think being the only female gives us a little more balance and I think that I have a lot of ideas that can contribute to everything that happens,” Crisostomo said. “I’m very versatile and I can help in whatever way I can.”
Sen. Dean Thap, who holds the other Health Solutions seat, said Crisostomo is a hardworking student and impressed everyone at her interview.
None of the three new senators could give any specific goals for the year, other than learning their role in USGD. Grossman said it will take up to six months for them to learn the job.
“I’m still learning, and that’s my main goal, to learn how it works,” Crisostomo said. “Whatever they put in front of me is whatever I’ll set my mind to.”
Grossman said there are at least two applicants for each of the nine open Senate seats. Interviews will be completed next week and he hopes to have the Downtown campus’s first full Senate.
Urban and metropolitan studies senior Jacob Meshke was appointed director of administration, which entails working closely with the Sun Devil Coalition and assisting the vice president of services.
Meshke served as an associate senator, senator and vice president pro tempor at the University of Wisconsin before transferring to ASU, which Walter Cronkite School Sen. Malcolm Brinkley said made him a good applicant.
“In his interview he had the utmost confidence and utmost maturity,” Brinkley said. “He has years and years of experience from his work in Wisconsin. He has a lot to offer the Downtown campus.”
After appointments were made, $11,414.38 was administered to several student organizations.
The largest amount allocated Friday was $3,122.50 to the ASU Mindfulness Community to create a website and send members on a retreat. Social Work Student Organization received $1,782.55 for promotional materials and tickets to the Diamondback’s college night. DPC Aware received $1,418.29, an amount less than its original request, for t-shirts. The Spanish Language and Cultures club asked for $1,000 for a retreat in Nogales, Ariz. The USGD Greek Life Committee received $868 to reimburse for t-shirts given out at the Downtown Freeze Event. Student health initiative Well Devils received $1,281.12. ASU Student Club of Meeting Professionals International received $1,411.92 for a convention in Las Vegas. The National Association of Black Journalists received for $80 for balloons and refreshments. And the Resident Hall Association received $450 for a conference reimbursement.
The remaining budget for the semester stands at $50,411.78, according to Director of Finance Sam Tongue.
Contact the reporter at kevin.p.fallon@asu.edu
