Recap of the Feb. 10 ASUAF meeting

By Jonathan Wasilewski

At their weekly meeting on Feb. 10, the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, or ASUAF, discussed changes they aim to add to Title IX training for the fall, students being allowed to vote in academic appeals committees and imposing a two-hour cutoff of ASUAF senate meetings.

One bill concerning proposed improvement to the university’s Title IX training for the incoming freshman class was read aloud by Senator Brynn Illingworth. Per the U.S. Department of Education, Title IX is a 1972 amendment that prohibits gender discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

“The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks affirms the principle that awareness without action is apathy,” Illingworth read. Implementing effective solutions without acknowledging campus safety concerns leads to institutional indifference, the statement mentioned, and there were “significant issues” with Title IX in 2025.

Thus, ASUAF is sponsoring the creation of a new Title IX module that focuses on reporting incidents and explains clear explanations of Title IX violation behaviors. In relation to the Title IX bill, a statement from ORCA Director Kaydee Van Flein was read by Illingworth. Van Flein thanked ASUAF for considering sponsoring and developing the addition to the Title IX training and mentioned that when incoming students hear from their peers, there is an immediate and authentic level of accountability. “By introducing these critical points through a student lens,” she wrote, “we transform a legal requirement into a community value.” 

The bill was sent to the Finance Committee with a budget of $5,000.

ASUAF President Jackson Nelson also spoke on the need for student voting power on academic appeals committees. An academic appeals committee is a university appointed group that reviews a student’s appeal concerning grades or another academic ruling.

“The requirement to formulate those committees is to have three faculty and one student. Yet, the three faculty have voting power and the student does not,” Nelson said.

Illingworth read a resolution supporting giving students the power to vote in these committees. The resolution was sent to External Affairs.

Senator Jesse Tyrell read a resolution he proposed to keep ASUAF meetings under two hours.

This semester, ASUAF meetings have begun at 5:30 p.m., and they vary in length with no set end time. He noted that some last 90 minutes, but some have gone on longer than three hours.

In an amendment to Rule 6.1, which states that ASUAF meets weekly at a time and date that works best for the senate, Tyrell proposed that meetings should not last more than two hours. 

“Upon the expiration of time, the current speaker may finish their remark and a vote will be taken on the motion,” he said. According to Tyrell, the meeting will be adjourned if the limit is passed without a successful motion to extend the meeting.

Senator Jacob Fithen asked Tyrell if each meeting’s legislation would be tabled to the next meeting if it wasn’t completed, to which Tyrell confirmed.

The resolution was sent to the Rules Committee.

Tyrell was notified that he used the term “recessed” instead of “adjourned” and “2025” instead of “2026” in his resolution. According to Nelson, the resolution will be amended to reflect the changes in a future meeting.

Senate Chair Bonnie Brennen also read a bill regarding bowling match prize money for Giving Day, which is a 49-hour fund raising event happening in March. Whichever organization wins the match that occurs March 23 and 25 in the Wood Center will be awarded $250. Moreover, the first place team will be awarded another award of the same amount to donate to a Giving Day cause by ASUAF. The second place team will be awarded $150, and the third will be awarded $100, although no donations will be given by ASUAF to these second and third place groups.

The meeting included the passing of a resolution supporting the establishment of a UAF pep band, and the passing of five club funding bills that were voted on as a block. A block is when resolutions or bills are voted on at the same time. 

Also voted on in the meeting was a bill supporting a lunch for the Nanook Olympics. The bill was passed after it was amended to include a date.

Staff Council President Derek Bastille attended to see how ASUAF meetings are carried out and to show his appreciation for Jackson attending Staff Council meetings. Staff Council is the non-faculty staff member version of ASUAF.

In the update portion of the meeting, Nelson noted that much of his week was spent preparing for his UAF advocacy trip to Juneau; Advisor Victoria Thompson worked on getting the Commencement Speaker Selection Committee going; and Vice President Yan Vyshynskyi mentioned Club Council. “We go through a process of reviewing applications and funding them,” Vyshynskyi said.

It was mentioned in the previous meeting that student government nominations are currently open; they will close Feb. 28. If students are interested in serving on the senate next year, now is the time to get on the ballot. Students need three nominations to get on the ballot for a Senator position.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

ASUAF meets every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Students are welcome to join and voice concerns to the members of the senate. For students not attending in-person, Zoom links are available at www.uaf.edu/asuaf/meetings