With the 2017-2018 academic year under way, members of the University of Idaho ASUI Senate returned to their appointed chairs on Wednesday.
The meeting began with an open forum for those in attendance.
During the open forum, ASUI Chief of Staff Jordan Johnson advocated in favor of a bill, which will allow senate to suspend the traditional credit regulations and allow Faculty Senate Representative Jesse Watson to serve in his appointed role.
Under normal circumstances, ASUI Faculty Senate members must have 26 completed credits at the university before taking office, and must be a full-time student. Watson, who transferred from another institution, gained 24 credits from UI last year.
“We didn’t realize, as a transfer student, that he didn’t have the appropriate amount of credits,” Johnson said. “The threshold is 26 credits. (Watson) has 24 credits from the University of Idaho, so he did take a full credit load both semesters last year. But, combined with his credits from the university he transferred from, he has a total institutional credit count of over 35.”
This bill passed with no opposition.
Shawn O’Neal, director of student involvement, took the podium to express his pleasure working with the senate again, and asked for help with a charity event dedicated to relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
“I’m really thrilled to have you all back,” O’Neal said. “The Volunteer Center is starting a change-drive working with the Volunteer Center and other campus entities on a change-drive to benefit those people who’ve been displaced by Hurricane Harvey.”
O’Neal reminded the senate the Volunteer Center originated during the time of Hurricane Katrina, and that one of the center’s purposes is to help people during crisis.
“This is another chance for us to move — to take action, and I hope you do as campus leaders,” O’Neal said.
O’Neal said the Volunteer Center will be taking donations throughout campus next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Andrew Ward can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @WardOfTheWorlds