Friday’s USGD Senate meeting centered around the resignation of the Public Relations Director, the appointment of a Senate co-chair and the introduction of two bills to the floor that make senator requirements more relaxed.
Public Relations Director Daniela Nepita stepped down from her position Friday, citing time conflict and school pressures. Her resignation took effect Monday.
“I don’t feel I can dedicate as much time as I would love to dedicate to you guys,” Nepita said in her resignation statement.
Interviews are currently underway for a replacement, Chief of Staff Charles Liao said.
The Senate appointed and unanimously approved Cronkite Senator Alexis Kramer as the new Senate co-chair. The appointment came after Senate Bill 13, which created the position, passed on Oct. 11.
USGD introduced Senate Bill 15, which changed the Taylor Mall office hours requirement for Senators from one hour per week to two hours per month, and Senate Bill 16, which struck the mandatory attendance requirement of five meetings per semester from the Constitution to the Senate floor. A previous amendment to event attendance requirements was made earlier this semester. Senators approved both bills unanimously.
A campus safety initiative that would in part raise funds for police was also introduced. The funds would help develop a “bona fide police escort service” and would offset the cost of security cameras, Vice President Marcus Dudas said.
Dudas pushed for USGD sponsorship of a bike-share kiosk under the new initiative, citing improved security and increased convenience for students as well as environmental benefits.
“It gives USGD an opportunity to move the university in a way most would like to go,” Dudas said.
President Frank Smith announced that USGD Senate meetings will stream live on the USGD website to increase accessibility to students. While campaigning, Smith said he would increase transparency.
Smith also introduced a publicity initiative regarding the Dance Marathon, which he said will center around raising non-Greek participation and changing the perception of the event from being Greek only to being campus wide.
Vice President of Policy Melber Macainann announced a text book pledge initiative which would make it easier for students to buy and sell used books among themselves. The pledge would ask professors to keep the same book for more than one year, allowing students who take the class to buy books from students who have already taken the class. Former USGD President Joseph Grossman introduced a similar proposal that did not pass.
“It’s really a request to professors to help students spend less money on new books,” Macainann said.
Local Affairs Director Becca Smouse announced that the Food Truck Fiesta will take place Nov. 12. Three trucks, including Short Leash Hot Dogs and Mama Toledo’s Pies, will participate.
The presentation initiative, which requires clubs that receive USGD funding to present to the Senate to ensure that the funds have been used properly, introduced earlier in the semester by President Frank Smith, took full effect Friday with presentations by the Public Relations Society of America and Meeting Professionals International. A written component requirement added by Smith at Friday’s meeting will take effect going forward. The program will be overseen by Director of Finances William Padmore.
Suggestions by individual senators on revisions to the elections code will be reviewed at a four-campus Senate meeting, according to Senate President Stephany Caceres. The revisions will likely be minimal; “anything from the past which doesn’t apply to the current generations,” she said.
Caceres hopes to finish revisions by February, when elections will take place.
USGD approved a total of $855.10 for two organizations.
ASU Spanish Club Downtown Phoenix received $810, what the Budget Allocation Committee recommendation. The funds will be used by the club for a trip to Mexico, where they will volunteer and speak with immigrant groups. Club representatives described the trip as providing cultural perspective. The Senate unanimously approved the request.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists received $45.10. The funds reimburse the club for an event where Victor Hugo Rodriguez spoke to students. The club provided food for attendees. The event aimed to encourage more students to join the club. The Senate voted all in favor with one abstention. Walter Cronkite School Senator Erika Tuerr, who abstained, wanted to see proof that the money would go to the club, not into an individual’s bank account, before approving the allocation.
“I’m just not comfortable with not knowing the account statement,” Tuerr said, “So I’m just not going to vote.”
Contact the reporter at noah.b.briggs@asu.edu
