As members of ASUI prepare for 2017, Cruz Botello reviewed his first semester as ASUI president.
“From starting a new philanthropic event to beginning to plan more student spaces, (ASUI) really strived to figure out what the students wanted,” Botello said.
Botello said one of ASUI’s biggest goals last semester was to expand student spaces. At the end of the fall semester, ASUI decided to move forward with plans to convert an open space in the Idaho Commons into a student lounge. The space was formally occupied by the College of Education Administration, but ASUI plans to open the space to all students.
“We are hoping to open the lounge before the end of the semester so students can enjoy the space,” Botello said.
Creating a new philanthropic event was another big step for ASUI, Botello said. ASUI hosted the Vandal Dance Marathon Nov. 5, a six-hour event that raised funds for the Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane. The Sacred Heart Hospital provides pediatric emergency, critical and trauma specialty care to children in the inland Northwest.
Botello said University of Idaho student Austin Rehkow had a younger brother who received treatment at the hospital, which inspired the fundraiser. The philanthropy event raised more than $5,000 for the hospital.
Botello said other key resolutions passed by ASUI last semester raised some controversy.
A bill passed in October requiring all compensated officials of ASUI to be Green Dot trained, a violence prevention program that specializes in bystander intervention training in situations such as sexual assault, Botello said.
ASUI also passed a resolution to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day in place of Columbus Day, in remembrance of the tribes who once lived where UI stands. Botello had the opportunity to speak at an event the morning of Indigenous People’s Day.
“I’ve had a lot of practice speaking in front of people,” Botello said. “But being president of ASUI gave me the opportunity to speak in front of larger gatherings of people than I’ve ever had before. Those were some of the best moments.”
Botello said one of his favorite memories of his first term as ASUI president was speaking at Fall Commencement in front of graduating students and their families.
“It was kind of intimidating, but very rewarding to be a part of sending these graduates off from college and out into the world,” Botello said.
Botello said he not only helped send off UI graduates, but also played a part in welcoming new students to UI at Convocation.
“I got to speak to those parents who were leaving their students in our hands, and reassured them,” Botello said. “I got to express to those first-year students what being a Vandal is like.”
Looking into next semester, Botello said ASUI will work closely with the Idaho legislature in a couple different ways. He said ASUI will hire a lobbyist to work with legislators and represent UI student interests at the state level. Later in January, Botello said ASUI will also host a legislative ambassador luncheon in Boise. The trip will give ASUI and UI students the opportunity to meet Idaho’s representatives, discuss their concerns and interests and represent the university, Botello said.
“Unlike other college campuses, our student government has not only had success in passing legislature through our own body, but through Idaho legislature as well,” Botello said.
As the state level, Botello said ASUI is pushing to grant out-of-state students fishing, trapping and hunting licenses at an in-state rate.
“It’s a good enrollment strategy that would allow out-of-state students who come to Idaho the opportunity to enjoy everything Idaho has to offer,” Botello said.
Botello said ASUI is working to engage in the recruitment effort this upcoming spring, with trips planned to high schools in the Treasure Valley. He said separate groups of ASUI students will be speaking personally with high school seniors and answering any questions they may have about life at UI.
“A lot of people think that our work ASUI is always very serious,” Botello said. “But I’m looking forward to the really fun things, like the recruitment trips where I can talk to seniors about becoming a Vandal.”
Other plans for ASUI next semester involve the organization’s new partnership with the Student Recreation Center, Botello said. He said he has been working with the center to create events pertaining to health and wellness, safety and violence prevention and alcohol prevention programming.
ASUI will continue to work with Vandal Entertainment to contract entertainment for Finals Fest, Botello said.
“This semester we want to keep getting students engaged,” Botello said. “We’ve got a lot of events planned, big concerts, small concerts, lecture series, and I’m looking forward to seeing more students involved.”
Taryn Hadfield can be reached at [email protected]