The Downtown campus student government appointed three more senators and a director of public relations Friday, inching the organization closer to its first ever full Senate.
Only six seats remain to be filled to create a full Senate. There are two open seats for the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, two for the School of Letters and Sciences, one for the Teachers College and one for the University College.
Educational studies freshman Stephany Caceres was appointed as the first senator for the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College.
“All of us were impressed with her abilities,” said College of Public Programs Sen. Cy Porrus, who sat in on Caceres’ interview. “The college itself is actually pretty small. We’re excited for a student from that college to come forth and want to join our Senate.”
Caceres said her goal for the semester is to be very involved in USGD and expand her college as much as possible.
Journalism freshman Ashley Brevik was appointed to the open Senate seat for the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism alongside Sen. Malcolm Brinkley.
Brevik said her experience ranges from being a member of her high school student council, president of her high school choir and a floor president at Taylor Place.
Journalism freshman Travis Arbon will be working alongside Sen. Joshua Burton representing Barrett, the Honors College.
“He’s going to complement Josh very well,” Brinkley said. “I think they will hold Barrett together very well and we’re going to see a lot of cohesiveness from these two.”
Arbon said his goal is to make sure he’s available to listen to any concerns or ideas Barrett students have.
“I want students in Barrett to be able to feel comfortable starting an organization or submitting a concern,” Arbon said. “If I can do that, then I have succeeded in making Barrett a more open and accessible environment.”
Journalism freshman Emily Antuna was appointed as director of public relations. Antuna was heavily involved in student government in high school in Nevada, where she was vice president of the state executive board.
In addition to updating USGD’s social media, she will be responsible for producing event materials such as t-shirts and flyers, Antuna said.
Antuna said her main goal for the semester is to make students more aware of what USGD is doing and make its members more accessible.
“She comes well prepared with all the tools to be a great director,” Brinkley said. “I think she will bring a new style to USGD.”
A total of $7,898.49 was allocated to student organizations Friday, leaving the semester budget at $42,513.29, Senate president Joey Amonett said.
The Walter Cronkite Sports Network asked for $9,164.25 to buy equipment for its broadcasts, but only received $3,800. Only Porrus voted against the lesser amount, believing it to be still too high.
Cronkite Sports President Austin Controulis said the group uses outdated, donated cameras that have no warranty for replacement or repair.
Controulis said the initial asking price was more than they need. He said it was to get as much equipment as possible and avoid coming back to USGD for more money next year.
The Arizona State Therapeutic Recreation Association was given $1,800 to send students to an annual conference held in Phoenix, an amount amended from the original $3,675 requested.
Downtown Alive! received its full requested amount of $250 for catering and flyers for a local politics forum event on Oct. 1.
The Exercise and Wellness Organization received $248.49 to buy supplies for its Frisbee After Dark event.
ASU’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America received $1,800 to send members to the annual PRSSA conference in San Francisco.
Contact the reporter at kevin.p.fallon@asu.edu
