The Associated Students of Colorado State University convened March 25 for the 25th session of the 55th senate.

Following the swearing in of new senators and associates, students spoke during gallery input about the ongoing genocide in Palestine and about Resolution #5551, “Upholding The Principles of Community in Career Fairs.”

This resolution follows protests against companies such as Woodward, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and Caterpillar Inc., which were featured in the Feb. 26 engineering career fair. Multiple students have said these companies continue to support Israel in the ongoing genocide in Gaza and have pressured ASCSU to pass this resolution, which ultimately calls on CSU’s administration to cut ties with these companies and any company in violation of CSU’s Principles of Community.

On March 24, CSU’s chapter of the Students for Justice in Palestine called for students to pack the senate in support of Resolution #5551 in an old Instagram post. Multiple students from CSU Rams for Israel also showed up in opposition of Resolution #5551.

Students from organizations that support Israel alleged that Resolution #5551 was a part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. According to the BDS website, the Palestinian-led movement fights for “freedom, justice and equality” and “upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity.”

Speakers who opposed the resolution said the BDS movement doesn’t promote peace and that SJP was alienating Jewish and Israeli students with the resolution.

“Today, you can show the Jewish community your support and create a positive change,” said Hila Novat, president of Rams for Israel. “Vote no to BDS and use your votes to add in anti-Semitism advocacy and education. Let us have trust in you. In the ASCSU Constitution, it states that the ASCSU government is by the students, for the students and based upon the principles of equality and inclusivity for all.”

Student speakers in favor of the resolution said its passing was the morally correct choice, and the resolution wasn’t about eliminating student opportunities for jobs but rather elevating the principles CSU guides itself on.

“There are ethical companies our school has been working with, so why can’t we seek out more that are (ethical)?” said Autumn Oregon-Williams, a CSU student and member of SJP. “Why can’t we seek out companies that aren’t a part of the process that is taking the lives of people? Why can’t we seek out companies our students will not feel guilty working with?”

Following gallery input, campus community reports were given. Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrin Jaudon announced a new initiative called Real Ram Problems, an informal video series with students that highlights campus resources.

After the announcement, Tricia Canonico, Northern Colorado outreach coordinator for the Front Range Passenger Rail District and former District 3 Fort Collins City Council representative, gave a presentation on the proposed Front Range Passenger Rail that would connect Colorado’s Front Range.

The executive, judicial and legislative branches then gave their respective reports. 

Moving into old business, Resolution#5551 was revisited.

Senators who opposed the bill said it undermined student autonomy to make their own career decisions and would limit students’ ability to secure jobs. In response, senators who supported the bill said that it would only immediately impact three companies and that constituents said they were in support of the resolution.

Following discussion and debate, Resolution #5551 was passed via a secret ballot vote. 

Following, Lex #5542, “LSAB Lex,” was visited. The lex aims to “mitigate the inconsistencies of prior edits to the LSAB Bylaws that have yet to be reflected in the ASCSU Constitution,” as well as pass “a new and improved version of the LSAB Bylaws.”

Following discussion and debate, the lex was approved with unanimous consent and sent to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Affairs Committee.

Next on the agenda was Bill #5547, “Supporting Open Educational Resources at Colorado State University,” which expresses ASCSU’s formal support for prioritizing and expanding the OER program.

After entering the committee of the whole and discussion and debate, the legislation was passed 25-0-0 by way of placard vote.

Moving into new business, Bill #5552, “Funding Rams Against Hunger Pocket Pantries for FY27,” was visited. The bill aims to allocate $18,000 to fund Rams Against Hunger Pocket Pantries for the next school year. 

Following Q&A, the bill was sent to the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the University Affairs Committee for review.

Lastly, Bill #5550, “Amendments to Funds Allocated by Lex #5423,” was visited. Bill #5550 specifies the Accessibility Caucus as the entity authorized to spend funding allocated in Lex 5423, which provides funding from the Senate Discretionary Fund to make purchases toward mobility-related assistive technology, as well as extends Lex 5423’s sunset clause by a year.

Following Q&A, the legislation was sent to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Affairs Committee and the Budgetary and Appropriations Committee for review.

ASCSU will reconvene April 1.