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ASBSU ROUND UP: EXECUTIVE TEAM 2018-2019

Ximena Bustillo | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Along with a new school year, Fall 2018 also brings a new board of Associated Student of Boise State University (ASBSU) Executive Council members. President, vice president, secretary of academic affairs, secretary of community relations and secretary of student organization affairs have now taken office. In an interview with The Arbiter, they discussed their plans as they work for the student population that voted them in.

President: Kaleb Smith, sophomore, finance major

Vice President: Emily Rembert, junior, finance major

According to Smith, the president’s role has been about facilitating the relationship with staff, administration and students. “Presidents usually pick up a major project, such as Sienna’s food pantry and

the Student Fee Activity Advisory Board created by the president before her,” Smith said.

Though Smith is still deciding what his project will be, Rembert’s main goal is to get as many areas of campus in Assembly.

“In the past it’s been just through applications. I have started an excel spreadsheet and have been looking at all the groups to reach out to,” Rembert said.

Rembert and Smith are both excited about student-led initiatives.

“Assembly will be focused on being an incubator for student-led initiatives,” Smith said. “I am very excited for this and for us to empower students.”

The final goal already outlined is to make a seamless merge with the Inclusive Excellence Student Council (IESC).

“I want to work closely with Esperanza. The way to achieve that is through good communication,” Smith said.

Secretary of Academic Affairs: Mikayla Melchert, freshman, international business major

The secretary of academic affairs is the only student who sits in with the faculty senate during meetings and works with the provost towards academic goals and projects.

“I really believe that this position is what you make of it,” Melchert said. “I can have a platform, but that doesn’t mean anything if it is not what students want.”

According to Melchert, she wants to focus on two main areas: Open Educational Resources (OER) and academic advising.

“The outgoing secretary worked with Bob Casper, who is the head of the OER initiative. But it takes a lot more student advocacy,” Melchert said. “Other universities have adapted to OER, and it’s an attainable goal.”

Melchert also stated that while talking to her College of Business and Economics advisor, they discussed that academic advising is underdeveloped in other campus schools.

“I want to find where the problem is coming from that causes students to feel neglected,” Melchert said.

Secretary of Community Relations: Esperanza Gomez, junior, social work major

The vote to create a merger between ASBSU and the IESC passed this election cycle, causing a change in the position of the secretary of community relations, who is now also the vice president of the IESC.

“I ran for this position because of the proposal of the merge between the IESC and ASBSU,” Gomez said. “This position represents historically marginalized groups, something I am very passionate about.”

The position, according to Gomez, will

be the liaison between ASBSU and IESC. Gomez will advise executive team members to make statements and represent and advocate on behalf of marginalized communities.

Previously, the secretary of community relations managed the block party and voter registration day–these tasks will be reassigned to other ASBSU positions.

“I am excited to help mold this position. I have to remind the executive team that we are there for the students, not just the administration,” Gomez said. “I am hoping to get feedback from students to know how we want that relationship between ASBSU and IESC to develop even though they are separate entities.”

Secretary of Student Organization Affairs: Veronica Camargo, sophomore, health science and pre-medical studies major

According to Camargo, the responsibilities for this position are more laid out in the ASBSU code compared to other positions on the executive team.

“Every week consists of a hearing for the secretary of student organization affairs to grant and deny funding for student organizations,” Camargo said. “This person serves as the chair of the funding board and the main liaison between student organizations and the student funding board.”

Coming into the 2018 academic year, Camargo’s goals include improving and streamlining the funding request process, hearings and web page.

“I care about the student experience and all the opportunities students seek to take advantage of through the funding support of ASBSU,” Camargo said. “During the elections I realized there are many students and organizations who are not aware of the funding support from ASBSU, and I hope to make changes with that.”