The All Undergraduate Student Association (AUSA) Senate discussed campus changes and improvement projects for next year as well as the upcoming election and approval of new student organizations at its weekly meeting Tuesday in Driscoll Gallery.
Among the changes and improvements discussed was an AUSA signature project. The project will be a big undertaking, probably in the form of an addition or improvement to campus such as a lounge, and will be geared to benefit undergraduate students. It may be in Driscoll or one of the residence halls. The Senate will continue to discuss and explore ideas into the future.
“We were looking for a larger scale project to sponsor. We thought about where undergraduates utilize facilities the most. We want a project that gets our names out there and shows students that we are utilizing these funds to their benefit,” said sophomore Sen. Troy Hashimoto.
Hashimoto said that the Senate plans to put, tentatively $30,000-$50,000 into the project.
A proposal for recognition of religious life on campus as part of the campus improvement projects for next year was presented by On Campus Sen. Joel Portman. The proposal included a religious holiday calendar, a prayer room, possibly in Penrose Library, and what Portman called a “real religious comprehension policy.”
Five new organizations were accepted by unanimous vote during Tuesday’s meeting. The organizations which include, Up Til Dawn, Roteract Club, Naral Pro Choice, DU Senior Connect and the Political Science Student Association will join 72 other licensed organizations on campus at the start of fall quarter.
The addition of the new organizations led to a question about religious organizations, which are generally not funded by the Senate.
“Traditionally [religious groups] have identified themselves as exclusive groups. If they check that box that says we only accept Christian members or Jewish members on their application, that is how they are defined as inclusive or exclusive,” said Senate Advisor Carl Johnson. According to AUSA policy exclusive groups are not fundable.
“We need a judicial branch that adjudicates what is and is not exclusive,” Johnson said.
Two resolutions passed by unanimous vote as well. The first established a DU fight cheer to complement the DU fight song. The second provided official Senate support for two senators who were “personally attacked” during a recent interaction with a student organization. Although not mentioned by name, the resolution referred to a recent funding dispute between the Senate and the Vietnamese Student Association.
The meeting also included discussion of upcoming events that will be held during the rest of the school year including several environmentally friendly initiatives, the Battle of the Bands, Senior Week and the Diversity Summit. The virus spreading around Centennial Halls and a possible on campus smoking ban were also discussed.
