The Associated Students of Colorado State University convened April 22 for the 29th session of the 55th senate.

Following the swearing in of new senators and associates, two new members of the Legislative Strategic Advisory Board were ratified.

During gallery input, over 20 speakers alleged that Rams for Israel, a student organization, has been harassing and doxxing students and a faculty member. Speakers also said these actions targeted students of color and urged senators to take action to protect the CSU community.

One doxing case was reviewed by the Student Resolution Center, but the center said the case didn’t violate the Student Conduct Code, speakers reiterated.

Following the gallery input, the executive, legislative and judicial branches gave their respective reports.

During judicial reports, the ASCSU Elections Engagement Recap was presented by Elections Manager Emily Arnow and ASCSU Chief Justice Melanie Brousseau. Campaigning and election events occurred Feb. 23 through March 6, leading to the election of Victoria Quesada-Stoner and Ben Gregg as student body president and student body vice president, respectively.

With 4,466 votes cast, this year’s election had a 14.25% voter turnout, more than a 10% increase from the prior year. The positive change in voter turnout is the largest ASCSU has seen in recorded history by over 3%, Arnow said.

The pair said this year’s funding was essential in raising voter turnout, as it allowed them to put on a variety of events.

“More touch points increase engagement,” Brousseau said. “It is truly that third or fourth time someone is hearing about elections that they’re going to vote.”

The duo also shared tactics for reaching students, particularly strategies aimed to engage underrepresented students in ASCSU elections, as well as goals moving forward.

During legislative reports, Speaker of the Senate Brooke Reese said she is arranging meetings related to Gallery Input comments in order to look at the Student Conduct Code being “inefficient in terms of student safety.”

Moving into old business, Bill #5557, “Funding of the Proclamation Readings for APIDA and SWANA Heritage Month,” was visited. Bill #5557 aims to allocate $725 from the ASCSU Senate Discretionary Fund to support the proclamation reading event.

After entering committee of the whole and discussion and debate, Bill #5557 was approved with unanimous consent.

Moving into new business, Resolution #5559, “Endorsing HB26-1335,” was visited. If passed, HB26-1335, “Abortion Medication Access on College Campuses,” would expand access to abortion medication services to higher education institutions in Colorado, unless it conflicts with an institution’s “bona fide religious beliefs or practices,” the bill’s summary reads.

While LSAB has previously endorsed the legislation, if passed, the resolution would give LSAB’s lobbyists a stronger ability to apply pressure at the Colorado Capitol, one of the bill’s presenters said.

Following Q&A, Resolution #5559 was sent to the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Affairs Committee and the University Affairs Committee.

Next, Bill #5559, “CAS End of Year Formal,” was visited. Bill #5559 aims to allocate $3,000 from the Senate Discretionary Fund to support the College of Agriculture Sciences End-Of-Year Formal.

Following Q&A, Bill #5559 was sent to the Internal Affairs Committee, the University Affairs Committee, the DEI Committee and the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

ASCSU Senate will reconvene April 29.