A UCSU official is working to create a Gender Violence Prevention Task Force on campus dedicated to education and support for students.
Diversity Affairs Director Alexis Smith proposed the bill for the task force, which had its first hearing Friday before the student union.
“The goals of the task force are to educate members about gender violence prevention, to inform students of gender violence issues happening on campus, and to provide peer education and mentoring,” Smith said.
The issue of gender violence was raised by a football scandal that occurred at CU in 2004 where female students were allegedly sexually assaulted by CU football recruits. Awareness of the issue has been heightened by the recent sexual assaults on and around campus.
In order to ensure students are dedicated to the cause, members will complete a short application process and undergo an interview.
“Members are not required to have extensive background knowledge in gender violence prevention, but must have time to commit to learning about issues and be dedicated to the task force,” Smith said.
According to Davian Gagne, gender violence education coordinator for CU, funding for the task force will not increase student fees.
“I have a small budget that goes along with my position that will cover that,” Gagne said.
A second reading of the bill was approved.
A bill to change CU’s E-mail system also had its first reading.
CU Link, CU’s current email system is due to expire in spring of 2010. In order to ensure a smooth transition, a new email system needs to be decided on immediately.
“We worked with ITS and they vetted a couple different email structures,” said Dustin Farviar, a Tri-executive and senior political science major.
Among the structures considered were Gmail, and Microsoft Live@EDU, both of which have very similar services, according to Farivar.
A survey was sent around to students, and with 1,000 responses, it was determined that the more beneficial system would be Microsoft Live@edu. The switch in email systems will also result in a decrease of student fees.
“By virtue of moving from CU Link to Microsoft Live@edu we will not have to pay for software. The switch will reduce the tech fee for students,” Farivar said. “The current cost is about $1 million and this would be cut in half saving students around $36 in student fees.”
Microsoft Live@edu will also have increased capacity, as well as an opportunity to get email for life after graduation at no cost.
A second reading of the bill was also approved.
In the Tri-executive reports, Ryan Biehle, a Tri-executive and senior political science major, announced that it is expected that there will be a 0 percent increase in salary for CU faculty and staff which will eliminate an increase in student fees.
“This is bad for faculty and staff but good for students,” Biehle said.
Tri-executive Victoria Garcia, a senior communication major, discussed the possible replacements for Chancellor Peterson, as he has received an offer from Georgia Tech.
“We would really like to see a chancellor who can come in with a full understanding [of] Flagship 2030,” said Garcia. “It is important to finish initiatives we have already started. We’re not afraid of change or opposed to it but we don’t want all of our progress to be a waste of time.”
The freeze on the Fine Arts building has also been cleared and the project is set to continue on schedule.
Farivar reported that the modification of ATM machines on campus to provide equal access is being pursued avidly.
“We are making large strides,” Farivar said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sarah Ruebsamen at Sarah.ruebsamen@colorado.edu.
