Recap of January 13 ASUAF meeting

By Britany Adorno-Alicea

Easing into the spring semester, our student government relaunched their dedicated work to our community, moving their weekly meetings to Tuesday evenings. The senate started off strong with the readings of bills, considerations of potential candidates, and other business that was for the good of the senate.

The meeting began with introductions to guests students Alex Patton, Zachary Viene, Lael Bartch, Jesse Tyrrell, Shaheena Shahid, Maggie Cothron and staff council member Julia Manfredini. The students who attended as guests were up for consideration as appointments as senators. Student Tim Hall’s appointment as senator was tabled due to lack of attendance. Any student up for consideration as a senator must be present at the meeting for their appointments to be read and moved to the Rules committee.

Senator Eugene Wiltz spoke as a representative for Katrina DeKrey, the leader of Student Leadership and Involvement (SLI). SLI has been working hard on bringing back “Alternative Spring Break,” and this year they are presenting a unique opportunity to help rebuild homes affected by hurricane Milton in Lakeland, Florida. Students interested should apply before January 23.

First reading of legislation consisted of the killing of all travel fund requests from students due to lack of attendance. 

The senate moved to consider a bill asking for funding for a Student Government Display, which will be a physical display case placed in the ASUAF Senate Office and serve as a visual display of current senate members, including names, positions, and photos of the senate to aid students in easily recognizing their representatives.

A bill was considered to provide funding for ASUAF swag and outreach materials, hoping that by having more engaging materials available during tablings and other such events, the senate may be able to better connect with students through better visibility. 

Senators moved to consider the adoption of the Automatic ASL Interpretation for Notable UAF-Sponsored Events policy and be implemented across all applicable units, administrative offices, and other recognizable student organizations. This policy will provide American sign language interpretations at large, high-impact, or information events to show UAF’s values of inclusion, access, and shared community engagement. UAF is committed to providing equitable access to its programs, services, and events for all members of the campus community and is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to ensure effective communication and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

A budget revision bill moved into consideration so that senate member Lilly Varney, who has assumed the position of ASUAF Public Relations Director, may effectively fulfill this role which requires readily accessible funding to support campus engagement, tabling, events, and student government outreach.

The second reading of legislation consisted of the consideration of the appointment of future senators, as well as the adoption of the resolution against the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” With a majority vote yay from the senators, this resolution will voice the opposition of The  Associated Students of The University of Alaska Fairbanks to any capitulation on the part of the University or the University of Alaska System to the demands or similar demands that “undermine constitutional rights, democratic principles, faculty governance, institutional autonomy, and academic freedom.”

Senator Mack Benn opened a discussion of concerns from the senate regarding the repurposing of vacant housing units on campus into military housing. Chancellor Sfraga hosted a forum on Thursday, January 15, opening the floor up to students to voice their concerns on this development.

With one vote against and a majority vote in favor, ASUAF meetings have been rescheduled to be every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.

ASUAF meets every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the senate chambers located in the Wood Center. 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.