ASUAF April 15 Meeting Recap

By Adriana Ticas

At their second-to-last meeting of the academic year, the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks updated bills, bylaw sections and discussed the budget for fiscal year 2027.

Sen. Glackin reported that the Senate completed updates to the travel grant eligibility bill, the Senate voting and abstention bill, and sections 840.0–842.0 of the bylaws.

For the travel grant eligibility bill, he said no amendments were made. The Senate removed the line stating that the student government meets weekly at a set time and location because meeting times change each session. The finance chair will communicate meeting details directly to applicants, who must attend.

The bill was adopted.

Glackin then moved to the Senate voting and abstention bill, which defines how senators vote and abstain during roll calls. He said the bill creates an explicit outline within the bylaws so future sessions know how to handle votes.

“We removed having to request permission and having the voting aspect of the Senate accept it,” Glackin said.

He added that if a senator abstains due to a conflict of interest, they must verbally state their reason immediately after casting their vote.

The bill was adopted.

Regarding the bylaw sections on student labor, paid positions, and service awards, Glackin said the Senate struck portions of the bill without changing its language. The updates create an opportunity for a future bylaw bill to establish service awards or allow later sessions to create a standing award automatically granted upon fulfilling duties.

The Senate then considered the FY27 budget bill, which outlines ASUAF’s stewardship and allocation of student fee funds to support student services, programs, and governance. The budget, totaling $325,200, will take effect July 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, Sen. Alex Burgess raised questions about the $15,000 budget line for outreach events and civic engagement.

“What events should we expect for Session 207? What’s the current plan?” Burgess asked.

ASUAF President Jackson Nelson answered and explained that the administration supports continuing successful events such as the bowling tournament, Friendsgiving, government forums, etc.

“This budget line would also be for other outreach endeavors,” Nelson said. “Like tabling and ensuring we’re more successfully advocating for students and being out there with the student body.”

Nelson added that at the bottom of the budget breakdown are the expenditure total and projected revenue. He said the expenditure total appears higher because ASUAF has funds in its savings account, but those funds can only be used for labor costs.

He explained that the Senate plans to use part of those labor funds to create a new position, but the money cannot be applied to any other part of the budget. Because of that restriction, he said, ASUAF is able to spend slightly more than its proposed budget.

“This is projected based off of enrollment in the student population this year,” Nelson said. “It will probably be a bit higher next year, but we obviously want to be conservative in our approach to the budget.”

He noted that the current projection can change throughout the summer.

Vice President Yan Vyshynskyi reported that the Club Council used its full funds to support clubs and had about 33 applications this semester.

“Total demand was much higher than our total for this semester,” Vyshynskyi said. “But again, I’ll make a report and introduce it to the Senate with better numbers than off the top of my head.”

As a final note, Nelson said he is in communication with the mayor’s office regarding a new youth commission. The program includes two focus group cohorts, one for ages 14 to 18 and another for ages 19 to 25.

“I think it’s an awesome opportunity,” Nelson said. “He (the mayor) wants to get more involved with youth in town and figure out what struggles you see in Fairbanks.”

Nelson said the commission aims to partner with places such as UAF to generate ideas on how the borough and city government can work together to make Fairbanks a better place for young people. He noted that participation wouldn’t commit you to a year of intense meetings.

“I will be at one of those focus groups,” Nelson said. “I encourage you, if you’re invested in this town and this community, I think it’s a great opportunity.”

The meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m.