Associated Student Government recognized the importance of adding the definition of consent under the Violence Against Women Act as a footnote in the student planners at their meeting on Oct. 31.
The student planners previously had a definition of consent, but the new resolution adds a footnote that elaborates on unambiguous action.
The footnote states unambiguous action can be defined as an action that is “not open to more than one interpretation.” Since unambiguous action may be interpreted differently by each individual, it could be tremendously difficult to determine consent through actions.
Consent is best determined by more precise communication, such as vocal affirmation and or non-verbal communication.
Tyler Huddleston, junior Spanish and communication major and ASG president, said during the last ASG meeting of each month, senators vote on an outstanding senator. Miranda Bargdill, senior psychology major, was selected as September Senator of the Month.
Votes for the October Senator of the Month were made during the meeting.
“We are going to start doing senator check-ins,” said Victoria Harmon, junior accounting major and vice president of ASG. “It’s just a little five to ten minutes, we get together and talk about what we need to do better next semester or what you think has gone well.”
Along with check-ins, each senator will receive an update including different articles regarding their participation throughout the semester.
ASG sold nearly all the homecoming shirts with a profit of over $4,000. Forty-two shirts are still available for purchase at the Center for Student Involvement.
Steven Fox, sophomore communications and health major, offered some insight regarding the medical amnesty policy discussed at the previous meeting, which protects intoxicated minors who seek medical help for themselves or a friend.
“There are 21 states who have a policy or some type of law toward medical amnesty,” Fox said. “In the states there has been a survey and there has been a 700 percent increase in calls to 911 since they enforced the medical amnesty law. And there has been no foreseen rise in underage drinking in places that these laws are enforced.”
ASG voted with 16 affirmative, two opposed and one abstention to recognize the Saudi Club as a new recognized student organization. Saudi Club is an organization for Saudi Arabians to meet to share their culture. They help each other get involved with Americans and explore different clubs they could join.
Frances Mihulec, senior business administration major, joined the ASG meeting to speak on behalf of Enactus. Enactus hopes to receive funds in order to help them with expenses for a conference.
“We have some of our members now in route to the conference,” Mihulec said. “It is a leadership conference in Texas. It is hosted by the International Organization of Enactus. Our goals are largely centered in helping communities through entrepreneurship, through philanthropy. And these conferences are very helpful for giving us new ways to work on helping in our communities, cultivating leadership traits and work on our fund raising.”
Mihulec said the officers this year are all new and they have been mostly focusing on events to raise money for different student organizations.
ASG approved the reserve fund request with a vote of 17 -1-1
