Recap of Feb. 3 ASUAF Meeting

By Jonathan Wasilewski

The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, or ASUAF, discussed a resolution regarding the UAF track and cross country team using the Student Recreation Center, or SRC, at their Feb. 3 meeting. They also discussed a resolution for the creation of a UAF pep band, and two bills: one for a scholarship for Giving Day, and another sponsoring a lunch for the Nanook Olympics.

It was mentioned in the meeting that student government nominations are currently open; they will close Feb. 28.

A large portion of the meeting was focused on UAF’s teams using the SRC to practice. At this point in time, the university does not have an official track team, although many UAF cross country athletes practice together in the SRC.

Senate Chair Bonnie Brennen read a statement from Director of Nanook Recreation Mark Oldmixon. Oldmixon attended the last ASUAF meeting in person and answered questions there. Oldmixon wrote that he was still “quite skeptical” that the resolution could work well for both the SRC and the team; he said that hurdles and starting blocks were recently placed in the track’s running lane. The SRC’s track contains a single running lane, a passing lane and a walking lane.

Later in the meeting, Senator Alex Burgess mentioned that a runner needs spikes to practice hurdles. “Cleats would destroy pretty much all of the gym floor. The track is the only place they can do that [hurdles],” he said.

Oldmixon also said in the statement that he wanted the Recreation Advisory Council to help gather a broader opinion of the team’s use of the SRC.

After the resolution was discussed at length in the meeting, it was sent back to the External Affairs Committee. The talk ran on so long that several senators gave some of their three speaking privileges to others so that all opinions could be heard.

During the lengthy discussion, Senator Eugene Wiltz asked that the resolution be tabled until March 6, when the SRC Recreation Committee will meet, but that motion was turned down. Instead it was sent to external affairs for further workshopping and data collection from the student body. Senator Alexander Glackin noted that, as it stands, the resolution carries no prefectural power. “If it goes and passes, nothing will necessarily change,” he stated.

Advisor Victoria Thompson also reminded the senators of the request from Oldmixon for broader student opinions. In-person polls and questionnaires on Nanook Engage were suggested by other senators, which were created in an external affairs meeting later in the week. 

ASUAF President Jackson Nelson mentioned that he and other Senate members had spent the last week getting up at 6 a.m. to watch the track team at the SRC. He said they were met by pleasant surprise when they showed up to do their due diligence. 

Additional resolutions in the meeting included the creation of a UAF pep band, sponsoring a bill for lunch for student athletes in the Nanook Olympics, and another  bill to create a $1,000 scholarship for Giving Day. If 25 individual donors make a contribution to the UAF general scholarship during the 49-hour fundraising event, the scholarship will be unlocked.

Both the UAF pep band resolution and the Nanook Olympics bill were not voted on but read aloud since they were “in first reading,” or being introduced. The UAF pep band resolution was sent to external affairs and the Nanook Olympics bill was sent to the Finance Committee, while the Giving Day bill was expedited and adopted. 

In Nelson’s update portion of the meeting, he discussed a forthcoming trip to Juneau, the writing of a letter regarding proposed House Bill 176, and how there have been “great strides and talks” about AI policy. According to Nelson, HB 176 bill would result in hefty legislation around student fees.

The meeting also included a guest introduction from Zanthus Thomas, a UAF student who attended to learn more about ASUAF. 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 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