Cait Mckinzie
Dozens of students fill the Associated Students of Colorado State University senate chamber to share their experiences and listen to statements from others about the student impact of Cultural Resource Centers Feb. 19.
The Associated Students of Colorado State University convened Sept. 10 for the fourth session of the 55th Senate.
Items on this week’s agenda included mandatory Title IX or Responsible Employee training for senate members, ratification of executive interns and a resolution denouncing hate and intolerance at CSU.
Following the swearing in of new senators and associates, Senator Hayden Taylor moved to pull Lex 5501, “Omnibus Lex of the 54th Senate Constitutional Amendments,” out of the two committees to which it was originally sent and place it on the agenda. There was no dissent, and it was placed under old business.
Director of Pathways for Excellence Benjamin Gregg motioned to remove Resolution #55XX, “Resolution Opposing the Platforming of Hate and Intolerance at CSU,” from the agenda. Moving into gallery input, Gregg shared his remarks on why he removed the resolution.
“Sept. 18 could very well have been a day on campus just like Charlie Kirk’s event in 2018 that found itself remembered for violence, hatred and putting students in direct harm’s way,” Gregg said. “I am not pulling this resolution today because I no longer denounce CSU putting federal pressures over the well-being of their students. I believe that we can create a stronger resolution that is not only timed better but accomplishes much more for the student body that we are sworn to protect.”
Other students and members of ASCSU who spoke during gallery input discussed the latest changes to the U.S. Department of Energy’s policies, recent police activity on campus, sorority recruitment and more.
Following gallery input, members from the CSU Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity and the Survivor Advocacy and Foundational Education Center facilitated Title IX or Responsible Employee training on responding to sexual misconduct and relationship violence. As volunteers and employees of the university, members of ASCSU are required to take this training annually to learn about their responsibilities as university employees. The training included information related to reporting sex-based discrimination, harassment, interpersonal violence, retaliation and more.
Moving on to executive reports, Assistant Director of Academic Innovation Reece Kloberdanz announced open appointments for Faculty Council committees and other graduate representation. Director of Governmental Affairs Jelicity Luna highlighted critical resources available for students on campus and her department’s goals for the upcoming month. Chief of Operations Andrew White spoke on ASCSU’s organizational wellness initiative to promote internal health and well-being. White also announced that the Board for Student Organization Funding is open and accepting funding applications.
Chief Justice Melanie Brousseau re-announced open positions for elections manager and election engagement officer.
During officer reports, Speaker of the Senate Brooke Reese reiterated the availability of resources for students in need of support and expressed her support of pulling Resolution #55XX off the agenda.
The Women’s and Social Justice Caucus will be meeting at 1 p.m. Thursdays.
Moving into confidence business, new interns for the executive branch were ratified. Jack Randels was appointed as the classroom success coordinator intern under the department of academic innovation and approved by the senate with unanimous consent. Landon Blanco was appointed as the operational relations intern and Alexander Fiduccia as the operational efficiency intern under White. Both were approved by unanimous consent.
Next, Lex 5501, “Omnibus Lex of the 54th Senate Constitutional Amendments,” was brought forward for discussion. Senator Taylor acknowledged prior inconsistencies with the legislation resulting from amendments made to last year’s ASCSU Constitution and noted that these issues would be corrected. He expressed his intention to advance the legislation. The legislation passed with unanimous consent and will be sent to the Budgetary Affairs Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for review.
ASCSU Senate will reconvene Sept. 17.
Reach Claire VanDeventer at news@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.