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This week in ASCSU: New member ratifications, amending blackface resolution

Laila Shekarchian, Staff Reporter

January 26, 2025

Collegian | Cait Mckinzie

Director of Basic Needs Jorja Whyte and Deputy Director of Basic Needs Lauren Johnson tell the Associated Students of Colorado State University about upcoming events at the second session of the 54th senate Aug. 22, 2024.

The Associated Students of Colorado State University convened Jan. 22 for the 17th session of the 54th senate.

Following the swearing in of new senators and associates, a guest speaker from Student Legal Services presented on what action students should take when encountering law enforcement officers or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The presentation included information about what rights individuals have when they are approached by law enforcement about their legal status and how to address the situation safely.

“There may be things we want in a perfect world, and then there may be things that we have to accommodate in order to protect ourselves or protect others,” said Allison Belfield, a staff attorney for Student Legal Services. “Some of this is meant to kind of address how to be encountering law enforcement or ICE, essentially in the safest way as possible.”

Following the presentation, the executive, legislative and judicial branches provided updates on their respective work, initiatives and upcoming events.

Senate then ratified a new associate justice to the judicial branch. Following Q&A, Melanie Brousseau, an economics and political science student, was approved with unanimous consent and subsequently sworn in.

“I am ecstatic to be here and serve on a court, making sure that we uphold why the court was founded (and) to offer fair and equal treatment for all students for student success,” Brousseau said.

Next, senate ratified the deputy director of graphic design. Following Q&A, Evan Judd, a graphic design and marketing student, was approved with unanimous consent and subsequently sworn in.

“I was kind of drawn to this role; I’ve always been passionate about the area of art direction (and) creative direction, so graphic design has always kind of been my thing,” Judd said. “It’s been great to meet this amazing team. They do great work, and I’m excited to let my passion be part of that.”

Moving into old business, Resolution #5406, “Amending The Resolution Condemning Blackface To More Accurately Reflect The Media’s Involvement,” was confirmed.

The resolution aimed to correct edits made to Resolution #5405, “Formal Condemnation of Blackface on Colorado State University’s Campus.”

Resolution #5406 will remove clauses from the original legislation that claim Rocky Mountain Student Media reported breaking news on an incident regarding the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity last semester before investigating and speaking to both parties about the matter.

Rocky Mountain Student Media staff later provided evidence to dispute the claims made in the initial resolution, confirming that those reporting on the situation contacted all parties involved beforehand and did so ethically.

The resolution was approved 23-0-0 by way of placard vote.

ASCSU senate will resume Jan. 30.

Reach Laila Shekarchian at news@collegian.com or on social media @CSUCollegian.

About the Contributor

Cait Mckinzie, Photo Director

Cait Mckinzie is a second-year student double majoring in art and journalism and media communication. She is one of two photo directors for the 2024-25 school year. Despite growing up in Renton, Washington, Mckinzie knew she wanted to go to Colorado State University since middle school. She had only ever been to Colorado twice, but she visited campus once, and that was all it took. At first, there wasn’t much in Fort Collins that Mckinzie was familiar with. But in high school, she was the co-head of visuals for her school newspaper, so she applied to The Collegian as a photographer to get back into a similar environment. Mckinzie was first introduced to photography by her grandfather, who has been a photographer most of his life. After he gifted Mckinzie her first camera in her junior year of high school, she began to take any assignment she could for her high school paper to improve her skills. Of all the memories made in her first year at CSU, most of the interesting ones came from The Collegian. One Halloween drag show assignment, a lot of mentorship and a few months of practice later, Mckinzie found herself being offered the position of photo director for the next academic school year. Mckinzie is excited for another year at The Collegian and aims to continue learning and growing during her time as one of the photo directors.

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