Reconvening after the winter break, ASUI discussed the continued effort to combat COVID-19 in the community, the status of projects from the prior semester and the room for additional senators in the ASUI body.
ASUI President Kallyn Mai discussed the continued need to stay vigilant on campus to reduce the spread of COVID-19, noting that Latah County is just under 47% fully vaccinated including the booster shot.
“That (number) can be better, but that’s really great,” Mai said.
Mai also discussed the availability of testing, noting that students, faculty and staff can request a test through the government website. With COVID-19 testing kits in short supply, Mai recommended that anyone concerned not put off placing an order.
Resources to combat COVID-19 are still available on campus. Vaccine clinics continue to be hosted on campus and vaccine incentives are still available, Mai said.
ASUI members also discussed their efforts to continue projects from the prior semester. The previously discussed timely grading policy will be pursued by the newly appointed Academic Affairs Officer Nathan Kindall and efforts to address the demand for Uber drivers will continue to be a priority for ASUI.
ASUI Vice President Katie Hettinga said that fostering civic engagement will be an overarching goal for the spring semester. With the help of community partners, ASUI will be working to bring statewide initiatives to the Moscow campus. Initiatives for legalizing medical marijuana, raising the Idaho minimum wage and implementing the Quality Education Act.
The initiatives are currently circulating in the state with the potential to land on the ballot for the November election. Hettinga said the initiatives will need to acquire enough signatures by May 1 to be submitted to the secretary of state and placed on the ballot.
While the first ASUI meeting of the semester has passed, the senate membership is not yet finalized. Hettinga closed the meeting highlighting that two senate positions remain vacant, and all students can apply through Engage until Jan. 28. Students interested in pursuing a senate position can email ASUI with questions at [email protected] or seek out further information at ASUI’s office located at the Idaho Student Union Building.
Royce McCandless can be reached at [email protected]