Flagship debate
The ASUI Senate passed a resolution to send to the Idaho State Board of Education in support of including the term “flagship” in the University of Idaho’s mission statement.
“I just think it’s really good that our senate is supporting this and they’re voicing their opinion on behalf of all of the students on campus — all of their constituents,” ASUI President Samantha Perez said. “It’s like a call to action. It’s a stance of the ASUI senate.”
The term “flagship” was removed from the university’s mission statement after a recent vote by the state board. Other universities in Idaho and the SBOE determined the term had negative connotations for other institutions in the state, according to Perez.
A petition asking the state board to overturn its decision was started by Perez and has gained nearly 6,000 signatures in the last two weeks.
“Students shouldn’t just sign the petition and then expect it to go away or anything,” Perez said. “I think that as much as we can do to keep promoting and keep talking about it, the better off we’re going to be.”
Perez said she was told the state board has received nearly 700 emails about the issue.
“I’ve also gotten several emails and Facebook responses from people who really love the (petition) and really want to help,” Perez said.
Perez said Milford Terrell, the board member who suggested the change, finishes his term on the state board today.
“We’ve been told that the governor will reappoint him if he wants his seat back and so we sent out an email to everyone who signed the petition urging them to write to the governor and ask for a more unbiased, collaborative board,” Perez said.
The UI Faculty Senate also voted to ask the state board to overturn its decision.
Spring elections
Today is the last day to turn in petitions for candidacy in the spring elections for ASUI Senate and executive positions, according to ASUI elections coordinator Amanda Niehenke.
“We need people that are critical thinkers, strategic planners, have lots of vandal pride and care about the students,” Perez said. “I think that’s the recipe for an excellent senator or a president or a vice president of ASUI.”
Petitions are due at 5 p.m. today in the ASUI office.
A candidates meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday and campaigning will take place March 19 through April 8.
There will be at least three open forums during the campaigning period and voting will take place April 9 through11.
“Being a member of senate or running for vice president or president I think is an amazing opportunity for students to give back to the university and to serve students,” Perez said. “We actually make changes every single day that affect students, they just don’t see them.”
Perez said she encourages students that have already signed up to be active campaigners.
“A lot of people in the past have just kind of gotten by doing a Facebook group, but that doesn’t really cut it,” Perez said. “If students really want to get elected and they really want to make a change they need to develop a good platform and then get out there and let the students know who they are and what they stand for and encourage them to vote.”
Kaitlyn Krasselt can be reached at [email protected]