The Associated Students of the University of Arizona discussed and tabled the first draft of the ASUA elections code on Nov. 12. The elections code was brought to the senate for the first time this week from the Elections and Policy Committee. The committee explained that they have been tirelessly editing the code in collaboration with the elections commissioner. “We all voted to bring this to the senate and are happy with where it is at, and we are looking for feedback,” College of Nursing Senator and chair of the committee Emma Stanek said. Some of the changes the senate began to discuss regarded the number of signatures senate candidates are required to collect before beginning the campaign process. Since not all colleges are the same size, many senators expressed concern with the ability to obtain signatures. Historically, candidates interested in running for a position are responsible for collecting 75 signatures from students of the college they are a member of and hope to represent in the senate. These signatures can be from undergraduate and graduate students, as ASUA is a representative body for all students. “Now, in the election code it says that if someone provides sufficient proof of having, for example, smaller class sizes or anything that could be proof that their college being smaller and this being unfair to them that they could bring this to the Elections Commission,” Stanek said. The senate continued to discuss the possibility of lowering the signature threshold from 75 to 50 for all colleges, making the signature count less of a barrier for candidates interested in running for senate offices, especially from smaller colleges. The senate also discussed whether a student of a given college can sign petitions for two candidates running for senator of that college. “I give full credit to those of you from smaller colleges to fill seats that were previously vacant, because obviously there was a barrier preventing other people from doing the same,” Executive Vice President Benjamin Huffman said. The senate continued to discuss articles in the code regarding the rules of runoff elections and when senators can begin to create and distribute campaign materials. Senators also asked questions clarifying and tweaking verbiage throughout the document. After discussing initial thoughts on the document, the senate agreed to look through the changes talked about today and table voting on the election code until the next meeting. This week, all senators shared reports on what they have been working on recently, including new initiatives, updates within their schools and meetings with their deans. At-Large Sen. Katelyn Alvarado shared that she is working on an initiative to make test prep books more accessible and affordable for students in collaboration with the UA Libraries. She hopes to enact this through ASUA funds. “Another one of my initiatives is building a bridge between first generation students and the information and resources available to them,” Alvarado said. “I’m thinking of maybe doing a collaboration with Drive Center where we can do a first generation mentor program.” W. A. Franke Honors College Senator Aparna Chandrasekar highlighted that she is surveying students to find out which intersections students believe are most dangerous for pedestrians. In lieu of the fatal accident and the tragic loss of three students’ lives on Oct. 30, this initiative is designed to make the campus safer for all. Results from the survey showed that students are most concerned when crossing the intersections at Global Center, Highland Market and all intersections on Euclid Avenue. Chandrasekar explained that she will be sharing this information with Student Body President Adriana Grijalva soon. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Sen. Victoria Gallardo shared that she is working on building a deeper connection and community within her college. She also expressed her gratitude to the senate for their response and participation in ASUA’s celebration of life on Thursday, Nov. 6 for Sophia Troetel, Josiah Santos, Katya Castillo-Mendoza and Peter Wanjohi. “Thank you guys for all your help last week, for those of you who were able to help set up and attend a memorial for the students that we did lose,” Gallardo said. “It’s been a lot, especially since one of them was in my department of work, and it’s been a difficult week for the families and the friends of the students.”.
https://wildcat.arizona.edu/162833/news/asua-notebook-11-12-senate-introduces-new-election-code/