ASWSU Meeting Paper

Tuition increases, a major conccern for many students, was addressed as well as improvements to the student government and upcoming events during the ASWSU meeting Tuesday, Jan. 19th.

When the meeting was called to order, Director of Student Affairs, Joshua Hart encouraged students to register for Coug Day at the Capitol which will take place Feb. 14-16 and will cost $25 a person. By attending, "students can fight to keep tuition levels from rising,
ASWSU President Derek En'Wezoh said in an earlier interview with The Daily Evergreen. It is an opportunity for a select number of students to spend the day at the Capitol in Olympia and talk to legislature about the increase in tuition and other academic concerns.

The possible 40 percent tuition increase is enough to send some people screaming, but ASWSU has tried to alleviate some of the stress by creating programs like Democracy in Action. This is a statewide program geared toward affordable education for Washington students. By signing up for this program students will be informed of ways to achieve affordable higher education. The program's aims reach as far as Olympia to ensure the student's voice is being heard.

In addition to events for the student body, ASWSU's advisor Connan Campbell is making plans with advisor's of neighboring universities such as the University of Idaho to start a summer camp where members of local universities such as the University of Idaho to start a summer camp where members of local university student government's can come together. According to Campbell, this is the first time that organizations at different school's are coming together and sharing their experiences. Another addition to ASWSU's program will be to the Image Shop. In order to get projects done in a more timely manner, Campbell said WSU will be adding more designers. With such positive changes to ASWSU as a whole, students should expect more efficiency with events, fundraisers and concerts.

With the destruction of Haiti being fresh on the minds of many Americans, ASWSU created a Haiti Relief fund to raise money for victims. Speak for Relief was held Friday, Jan. 22nd from 7-9 p.m. in CUE 203 and was an open mic night where students had the opportunity to read poetry and stories. Students were able to contribute internationally without leaving the campus.

Continuing with philanthropic events, ASWSU's main focus will be on the tuition increases and what the student body can do to have their opinion's heard. As the student government improves their resources, and beings relations with other school's student governments, the more expansive the school's resources will become. The more that student's become involved with these events and fundraisers the more effectively money will be raised and students voices heard.