Slashing seats

Bills to eliminate multiple ASUI positions pass senate

ASUI voted Wednesday night to eliminate multiple ASUI positions, including chair positions and two boards, in an effort to save approximately $7,650 per fiscal year. 

“We’re trying to replenish the general reserve,” said Kailey Holt, ASUI director of finance. “That was Nate and I’s really big thing when we were elected, and keep in mind that every dollar helps.”

By a large majority, the senators passed four bills to eliminate the positions of director of sustainability and community relations coordinator, as well as to dissolve the ASUI Recreation Board and change the classification of the Idaho Commons and Union Board (ICUB).

“Truthfully, this position (sustainability director) ends up creating some dependency,” ASUI President Nate Fisher said. “They try to pair closely with the UI Sustainability Center. That organization is very good at putting on its own programming. ”

The elimination of the ASUI Recreation Board would lead to some of its past traditions falling to the University of Idaho director of athletics and the UI Student Recreation Center, ASUI President-elect Max Cowan said. He said the ASUI Recreation Board was not required to organize events at UI, but they chose to take the opportunity.

“We’d ask the director of athletics to take over the 5K, if they continue to see value to that event,” Cowan said. “The Vandal Fitness Challenge will be overtaken by the director of health and wellness.”

Future funding for events formerly funded by the Recreation Board would come from event fees and reusing existing supplies, Holt said. She said the board’s funding had largely come from student fees.

“Essentially, the way we are looking at this, is what you earn is what you get to spend,” Holt said.

Another passed bill restructures ICUB from a board of three people to a director position. Holt said the change was done to save money and give ICUB the security of a director’s position, instead of relying on funds from UI.

Aleya Ericson can be reached at [email protected]

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