USGD displayed their new post office space, nameplates and polos during their first meeting of the semester on Friday and discussed a vacant Senate seat, a new director of administration and an overhaul of their bylaws.
Director of Administration Jacob Meshke and Health Solutions Senator Jasmine Crisostomo resigned from USGD over winter break. Meshke said he took a research position with the Arizona House of Representatives, while Crisostomo transferred to Grand Canyon University.
Crisostomo’s Senate seat remains vacant, leaving USGD with a total of seven open seats from a full Senate. Senate president Joey Amonett said an applicant for Crisostomo’s open seat will be interviewed next week.
Political science and sociology senior Clare Irvine was unanimously voted in to the open director of administration position Friday.
Irvine’s appointment marks the second executive seat this year to be filled by a student whose major is not based on the Downtown campus, the first being Anthony Cinquepalmi’s appointment as chief of staff. USGD’s bylaws do not restrict executive seats to Downtown campus students.
Although her major is not based Downtown, Irvine said she has taken many classes on the Downtown campus and lives in Phoenix. She said she does not anticipate any issues arising regarding her time spent on the Downtown campus.
Irvine was president of the Barrett Honors College Council last year and said she has experience with the Undergraduate Student Government in Tempe. She said she is excited for the smaller downtown setting and is looking forward to working on the Downtown campus because she’ll be more visible to students.
“(In) downtown, there’s a lot more activities that engage more of the student body here,” Irvine said. “It’s a different setting and I think that’s exciting just because I think the Downtown campus is a great, interesting environment.”
Because she will only be in the position for one semester, Irvine said she is looking to create and define the job so next year’s director will not have to start from scratch.
“For this semester I see (myself) expanding the role so it’s more than photocopies and taking minutes,” Irvine said. “I want it to be a clear role.”
The Senate also unanimously voted to change the USGD bylaws, approving a 23-page document outlining changes in organizational structure.
“I think it will definitely be beneficial,” College of Public Programs Sen. Cy Porrus said. “The old bylaws were really outdated and didn’t have anything to do with what we were doing anymore.”
Barrett, The Honors College Sen. Joshua Burton said the new bylaws will help the overall future of USGD.
“It’ll make for an easier transition when Senators and executive board members come in and out – there’s always going to be a very defined and simple structure that is at the same time very flexible,” Burton said.
During Friday’s meeting the Senate approved a $200 financial request for food and beverages for a film night on Jan. 17 in the renovated Post Office space. The money was granted to USGD itself. The organization is partnering with RHA and Changemaker Central to host the event.
Contact the reporter at alabril@asu.edu
