USCU Tri-executives work to fulfill election promises
The University of Colorado Student Union Tri-executives made a bevy of promises to student voters during the spring elections, but now they face the task of making all their wishes come true.
Last spring, the Class Act Tri-executive ticket swept into office with broad campaign promises. Expanding diversity on campus, student group advocacy and spending accountability were just a few of the goals for the campus.
Halfway into the school year, and with new elections around the corner, CU students might ask if the Tri-executive team of senior finance major Charles Johnson, junior architecture major Ashley Nakagawa and senior anthropology major Andrew Aitchison have reached any of their goals.
On the Web site for their campaign ticket, the Tri-executive candidates stated their three main goals. If elected, they promised to improve CU’s image by using the national media, support student groups within UCSU and demand fiscal responsibility from the USCU cost centers and from student fees.
The Tri-executives say they have done what they can to help promote a positive CU image by managing what they can control.
“A lot of improving CU’s image has been done for us by the new chancellor and president,” Aitchison said. “We have been trying to do our share. We have worked with the CU spokesperson to downplay the negatives and diffuse problems. We have also put out a series of ads promoting places for students and positive events.”
One piece of the negative publicity that has plagued the university is a lack of ethnic diversity.
“We are always addressing that issue,” Aitchison said. “We have a diversity director as part of UCSU, and hopefully there will be a bill put in front of the legislative council this spring vocalizing support of diversity.”
Johnson is also working closely with administrators on tuition costs. There are plans to make the school more accessible to low-income students and bring financial diversity to the campus.
The First Class ticket emphasized the value of student groups and their benefit to all students in their campaign. In the past, if a student group wanted to receive funding, they would have to run for referendum on the election ballot to get the money. This changed last fall.
“We found out that taking a direct vote was unconstitutional. If a cause wasn’t popular, then the group might not get money,” Aitchison said. “With the new system, there is no value judgment. It is based on how well the student group functions.”
Student groups and fees are a main focus for the Tri-executives. In the upcoming months, the Tri-executives and UCSU Legislative Council will be taking a look at budgets for different groups around campus.
“We want to make sure that we get the bang for our buck,” Aitchison said. “We need to make sure that the amount of money spent benefits the students.”
Rising student fees are a major concern.
“I don’t want to be paying for something that I don’t think is helping my college experience,” said sophomore international affairs major Sean Forrester. “It seems like every year I am paying more and more money. Sometimes I’m not sure where it even goes.”
This is a question the Tri-executives want answered.
“It is very easy to raise the fees by ten cents here and ten cents there. But it eventually adds up. We need to be careful and consider the situation larger than this year,” Aitchison said.
The Tri-executives promise that they have much more in store for the spring semester and have many more ideas to improve the well-being of the students. Their main focus will be on the upcoming budget hearings and approvals. This ties in with their promise to be held accountable for student fees.
“The budgets have a huge impact. They can set the tone for years to come,” Aitchison said.
And Aitchison hopes he and his fellow Tri-executives can set a positive tone.
“Personally, I hope to ensure a smooth transition into the next year,” Aitchison said. “With new elected officials every year, it can be difficult. I will do everything I can to set up next year for success.”
