The Associated Students at the University of New Mexico passed nine appropriation requests, failed one appropriation request and passed six bills during its full senate meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Appropriations
The senate passed nine appropriations. Several of them were for engineering- and building-focused organizations, including appropriations for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Automotive and Motorsports Club, Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers and Society of Automotive Engineers.
The German Club also received an appropriation in part to help celebrate the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall by building a wall in Smith Plaza and breaking it down, according to the club’s form. Organizations that received other appropriations included JIM Club, dance club SLOPE and The American Medical Student Association.
An appropriation for the Pre-Optometry Society did not pass; senators discussed allowing the organization to submit an appropriation of a higher value later in the semester.
Bills
The senate passed the Balance Forwards Bill, which funds the ASUNM government and associated agencies. The senate also passed the Fall 2024 Budget Bill, which allocates budgets to student organizations for this fiscal year.
The senate passed a series of related bills.
Bill 4F creates the requirement that senators have to send biweekly email updates to their assigned student service agency, resource center and student organizations, according to the bill’s summary. Bill 5F makes the vice president responsible for a template for these emails, and it changes the outreach duties section to reflect the bills. Bill 6F adds template creation to the president pro tempore’s responsibilities as well.
Bill 7F also passed . It clarifies the process of electing the president pro tempore.
Public comment
Several organization representatives came to advocate for their organizations during public comment. These included SLOPE, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers and the Automotive and Motorsports Club.
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Associate Dean of Student Wellbeing Greg Golden spoke to the senate about a wellbeing assessment for student needs. He also mentioned the opening of the Lobo Oasis — a student wellness area.
Student Activities Center Director and ASUNM Advisor Ryan Lindquist gave a short report on Silent Lights, estimating that there had been 2,000 people present. He also requested volunteers for the Red Rally event and the Pistol Pete statue that morning.
Lindquist explained a New Mexico state law called the Anti-Donation Clause, which prohibits the use of state money for personal gain. This clause applies to ASUNM and covers materials like T-shirts, according to Lindquist.
ASUNM Student Special Events Executive Director Andrew Norton advocated for the passing of increased SSE funding for a better entertainer budget.
El Centro de la Raza Director Rosa Isela Cervantes acted as the meeting’s guest speaker. She spoke about El Centro’s history and invited the senate to attend events and spread the center’s resources. She also encouraged attendance at its upcoming symposium on Friday, Oct. 4.
Presidential report
ASUNM President Anthony Tomaziefski reported that about 150 volunteers worked the Fall Frenzy event. During the event, volunteers planted 90 new species of trees, according to Tomaziefski.
He briefly talked about the goals of New Mexico’s legislative finance committee and the alumni association meeting. Tomaziefski also discussed the 95% increase in voter turnout from the spring presidential election to the fall homecoming election this year.
Tomaziefski called for Red Rally volunteers and gave the senate reminders about ASUNM office conduct.
Senate absences
Senators Reese Mitchell and Aizza Rehman were absent. Senators Sierra Dedmon, Adrianna Casaus and Nicholas Romero received their first demerit which earned no consequences.
Marcela Johnson is a senior reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
Marcela Johnson is a beat reporter for the Daily Lobo, and the editor-in-chief of Limina: UNM Nonfiction Review.
