While you were hibernating, the ASUO senate passed resolutions, budgets and argued a fair amount. For those not spending their Wednesday nights in the EMU Walnut Room here are the big items you missed at winter term senate. Plenty more happened this term, and more information can be found in the Emerald’s logs of weekly live coverage of ASUO senate.
If it is approved by University of Oregon President Gottfredson, the 2014-2015 budget will be $15.24 million, which is right on the 3.5 percent increase from this year’s budget. The 3.5 percent cap called for spending cuts and made it difficult for senate to give increases to student groups and programs.
The recommended incidental fee increased about eight dollars from $208 in 2013-2014 to $215.25 for 2014-2015.
The ASUO elections board members:
MacGregor Ehlen: Elections Board Coordinator
Drew Spainhower: Voter Education Coordinator
Rujun Cao: Public Relations Coordinator
Alex Davis: Office Manager
Madison Berger: Outreach Coordinator
Cao and Berger were confirmed by the ASUO senate without much hesitation, though the same cannot be said for other members of the elections board. MacGregor Ehlen was confirmed Jan. 15, 2014 after his confirmation was tabled Nov. 13, 2014 due to concern over his friendship with ASUO president Sam Dotters-Katz.
There was even more concern about the association between other members of the elections board. Ehlen, Spainhower and Davis are all members of the same fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. The senate confirmed the all elections board appointments but with some reservations and much discussion.
The QuackPac resolution to “the University of Oregon’s commitment to Israel’s right to exist and thrive” was passed by the ASUO senate Jan. 29, 2014. Some students thought that the language of the resolution was not bipartisan enough, yet the resolution was passed 13-5-1.
The ASUO senate passed a resolution Feb. 12, 2014 regarding Lierre Keith, a speaker at the 2014 Public Interest Environmental Law Conference. The resolution asked for an alternative option for students offended by Keith and her transphobic statements. Some didn’t support the resolution because of concerns over free speech. The resolution was submitted by the UO Survival Center and allies.