Allie Seibel
Former ASCSU member Madeleine Kamberg speaks out against the revised Colorado State University free speech policies during a senate session Oct. 8. "I'm someone who cares deeply about the rights bestowed upon us, not by our Constitution, but by our Creator. It's called the supreme law of the land, and it supersedes any CSU policy," Kamberg said. "This is not a partisan issue, and it's absolutely unconstitutional to name any place that is public here as a free speech free zone. Here's the thing about rights. If they don't belong to everyone, they belong to no one."
The Associated Students of Colorado State University convened Oct. 22 for the 10th session of the 55th Senate.
Following the swearings-in of new senators and associates, multiple students shared concerns about the government shutdown and how changing federal directives impact students on CSU’s campus during gallery input.
“At every opportunity, the (Trump) administration and, by extension, public institutions like CSU, have been normalizing cruelty on our campuses,” Santino Martinez-Richardson said. “Allowing (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) on campus, offering deported students official university-funded escorts to their expulsion seems particularly gross.”
Additionally, students called on CSU to fully divest from any and all ICE enterprises, meaning no longer allowing ICE agents on campus grounds or at career fairs. Students also called on ASCSU senators to take a stand against ICE on behalf of their fellow immigrants.
Following gallery input, District 5 city council candidate Zoelle Lane presented to the senate. Lane discussed her campaign, her background working for CSU’s Office of International Programs and the importance of affordable living in Fort Collins.
“I want a Fort Collins where people can afford to live where they work, where they can have housing, where they can buy a house, where they can rent for a reasonable rate,” Lane said. “We need to be looking at protecting our vulnerable communities, we need to be looking at decriminalizing being unhoused, repealing car camping bans, and then providing the social services to those people.”
Following Q&A between Lane and senators, the senate moved into reports, during which the legislative, judicial and executive branches provided updates on their respective work and initiatives.
During executive reports, it was announced that rotational internship applications are now open and available on Handshake.
The department of governmental affairs announced it is hosting voter registration initiatives on the Lory Student Center Plaza on Fridays before the election. Additionally, the department will be hosting a local elections roundtable Monday, Oct. 27, for all interested students and community members.
The judicial branch announced that ASCSU is collaborating with the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center to host Pumpkin Palooza at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. All are welcome to attend the event to paint pumpkins and make s’mores on the LSC West Patio.
During legislative reports, committee chairs announced endorsements and edits to recent legislation and encouraged senators to attend committee meetings to discuss future legislation.
Following reports, the Senate moved into the ratification of former Sen. Nevaeh Greene as an intern for the department of basic needs.
Following Q&A and discussion and debate, Greene was approved with unanimous consent and subsequently sworn in.
ASCSU Senate will resume Oct. 29.
Reach Laila Shekarchian at news@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.