A bill to appoint senior Aled Baker as ASUI lobbyist was considered, voted down and is now being readdressed by the Senate.
Baker is a member of Vandals for Legal Concealed Carry-on Campus, an organization that supports guns on university campuses. This fall the organization changed its name to Vandals for Firearms Education and Training. Baker has drafted a bill, which was presented to the legislature based on the controversial topic.
“We think of this as a serious and relevant issue for college campus,” Baker said.
Senators considered the bill to appoint him ASUI lobbyist at the Sept. 10 meeting and chose to reconsider on Sept. 17.
“Aled would be the voice of the university,” said Sen. Brad Griff.

ASUI’s main concern is he will not accurately support their decision on guns on campus while at the legislature, Baker said.
The ASUI committee for Government Operations and Appointments is taking the time to consider the important situation, Griff said. The committee, which is made up of senate members, makes its own recommendation for the position in addition to the ASUI president’s. The Senate takes both into consideration before making a selection.
Sen. Leah Schwisow said GOA doesn’t want to rush into a decision. It wants to take the time and make the right choice, she said.
Senators are concerned Baker would not lobby for all students. Schwisow said he is extremely qualified for the position, but Senators are still discussing the situation.
“I want to depart from the ways of the past (lobbyist),” Baker said.

Baker said previous ASUI lobbyists sent to meet with the legislature are usually uninformed and don’t understand how the legislature operates.
During the spring semester, the lobbyist spends three to four months in Boise, discusses issues with the legislature and provides feedback to both sides.
“Any good lobbyist should be able to sell ice in Greenland,” Baker said.
If he is appointed ASUI lobbyist, who hired Spencer when she started with Sodexho 16 years ago and describes their relationships as more of a friendship than a working
relationship.

Spencer requested to be moved to Java Nook in the Administration Building because of a health condition that was affected by the renovations going on in the law school.
She said she had actually planned to retire last year but with her health problems it was difficult for her to get insurance and Medicare won’t start until she turns 65.
“The benefits are fantastic and I truly stay for the students,” Spencer said.

However, Spencer said she was depressed about not being able to afford private insurance, so with the encouragement from her cousin she sent in “Ramsey Judd.”
Spencer said the scariest part of publishing her novel was doing rewrites, meeting deadlines and not knowing if others would like it.
“I had thought about sending in the other novels but never did, I was afraid they wouldn’t like them,” she said.
Spencer is working on another novel she wants to have ready by January to send in for publishing.
She said she wants to have a signing party on campus when her book comes out.
Spencer advises other aspiring writers to “just send it in and don’t on the other side, Baker said. It will give him a better understanding of the other side.
Baker said he believes if he were appointed ASUI lobbyist it would show the lobbyists can believe in one thing but represent another.
Griff said a quality ASUI is looking for in a lobbyist, regardless of their personal views, is they need to stand up for the students.
“It’s not easy for me, but I am willing to represent ASUI,” Baker said.

At this time, there is no one else. ASUI is looking to fill this position, said ASUI President Garrett Holbrook.
The ASUI Senate has not filled this position yet because it is not a timely matter.
The position of ASUI lobbyist works as a form of communication between ASUI and the state legislature in Boise.
Baker said he thinks this situation is something that has been magnified. He said the actual issue does not measure to the hype of its appearance.
Holbrook described the selection process as “a little awkward” but said he looks forward to the final selection.
“This is going to be resolved,” he said.
Senators will revote the bill at the ASUI meeting in the Idaho Commons. ASUI meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. every Wednesday. The next meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. to allow Senators to attend the ASUI Senate Open
Forum.

give up.”

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