ASUAF March 24 Meeting Recap

By Maria Menninger

The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks were busy during this week’s meeting discussing upcoming elections, updates to the committee structure and stipends for senators. They also addressed rumors about the student government.

The Senate discussed a bill President Jackson Nelson brought forth, which would provide senators with a stipend based on their attendance and commitment. ASUAF Committee Chairs who participate in at least 75% of Senate affairs would receive a stipend of $2,000 for two semesters, or $1,000 for a single semester. Senators who fulfill the minimum participation requirement would receive $500 for two semesters or $250 for one semester. The legislation would exempt the senate chair position because that person already receives payment.  

The ASUAF advisor would verify the eligibility and determine the distribution. 

This bill immediately brought about a discussion of potential conflicts of interest from senators who believed they should not be voting to pay themselves. 

Sens. Jesse Tyrrell and Mack Benn were concerned about the backlash the Senate would receive over what they perceive is a conflict of interest.

“As much as I would love to vote on a bill which would pay me money,” Tyrrell said, “it is an absolute conflict of interest for any of us to vote on a bill that would pay ourselves. It would open up an entire volume of critique that I think would be warranted.”

Sens. Eugene Wiltz and Lael Bartch questioned whether the bill would take effect now or for future ASUAF sessions. Nelson clarified it would only apply to the current session, though he said he hoped it would carry into the future.

“It’s certainly the hope of my heart that we do propose stipends that are larger for next year with clear requirements for committee chairs and senators,” Nelson said. 

Sen. Brynn Illingworth expressed concern over ASUAF’s budget, which could reduce the amount of travel funding ASUAF could award to students. But Wiltz defended the bill. 

ASUAF is “not some closed-off entity,” Wiltz said. “It’s not like you can’t come in and do great things for ASUAF or UAF as a whole. We’re an open entity so anyone at UAF is able to be a part of this and receive (the stipend), if it is put into future sessions.”

Another issue discussed was ASUAF rules on abstention in senate voting. 

A bill proposed that senators could not abstain from voting unless excused by fellow senators. If a senator requested to abstain, they may provide a brief statement as to why they wished to be excused. Then the Senate would decide if the senator was excused. 

Nelson forwarded this bill in an attempt to establish a consistent voting procedure, he said, specifically abstention. He said the rule would uphold the Senate’s responsibility and accountability. 

“I do not think it should be up to the group to decide what each individual is allowed to vote on,” Illingworth said. “It is not great to force a senator to publicly disclose their bias or conflicts of interests.” She added that if such a bill passed, senators would be “forced to air out any sort of personal grievances or traumas that you have, and I think this has the potential to make people do that.”

Nelson said the Alaska State Legislature inspired the bill. “When you are elected, you are expected to make a choice,” he said. “Our students expect you to vote yes or no. This creates an environment where you can still abstain, but you have to publicly admit what your conflict of interest or bias could be.”

ASUAF also recognized rumors being spread on campus. Misinformation has primarily been about ASUAF’s involvement in raising tuition, which Nelson said ASUAF is not involved with. The Board of Regents, including student Regent Fernando Escobar, is the entity behind that decision. 

 “There’s one thing when it’s satire, but when things start to evolve into misinformation,” Nelson said of the social media backlash, “I think they forget that there are people behind those posts.”

“There is a lot that we do that people don’t see.,” Nelson said. “Anyone who is upset with us, I always encourage them to come to our meetings… They’re public for a reason.”

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 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