Members of Students for Denise Bennett addressed the ASUI Senate about the University of Idaho’s move to place Bennett on administrative leave.
Nearly a dozen students who attended a walkout scheduled for earlier Wednesday attended the ASUI Senate meeting. Three spoke at the open forum.
“I have never been more ashamed to be a Vandal and I transferred from Boise State,” said Ryan Benson, coordinator of the Students for Denise walkout.
During the communication section of the meeting, Pro Tempore Faustine Moulton addressed the senate about Bennett and the students who came to speak.
“I personally just wanted to encourage you all to please be respectful and responsible as student leaders, it is our biggest priority to go out and listen and above all just make sure you’re informed,” Moulton said.
There was also a moment of silence for the University of Idaho chemistry professor Thomas Bitterwolf who died earlier Wednesday.
ASUI Senate also moved to consider the resolution condemning the intolerant and discriminatory treatment and policies directed at multicultural student employees.
Sen. Hannah Spear said Sodexo head, Mike Thomsen will be addressing the senate at their pre-session meeting next week.
The resolution cites an alleged incident at Einstein Bros Bagels where an employee was told by a superior not to speak Spanish while at work.
In other business, ASUI passed a bill to allocate general reserves money to buy a new TV and TV stand for the Department of Student Involvement Office.
Next week, according to the agenda, ASUI will vote on changes to spring elections, buying a Nintendo Switch for the ASUI Vandal Lounge and allocating $200 for the Martin Luther King Art and Writing Contest.
Kali Nelson can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @kalinelson6