This week during public comments a representative of Wash-PIRG inquired about the state of Wash-PIRG’s eligibility to be put on the ballot. The petition run by Wash-PIRG to get on the ballot is currently going through Registration and Records and the GSU had no knowledge of its status.

The GSU moved to extend the deadline for Student Trustee applications to next Wednesday, May 1^st at 12pm owing to the need to provide 3-5 candidates where only 1 application had been received.

The GSU also discussed the CEC and the hiring process this spring. Job applications for the positions will be released on CODA next week for weeks 5 and 6 of the quarter after which the GSU will set up a hiring committee to interview and appoint the new members of the CEC. The GSU also discussed the future of the CEC and heard a proposal to create a DTF (disappearing task force) to reevaluate the mission and objectives of the CEC.

The GSU reviewed the operational budget that was brought before the S&A this week by Tyler and Donald. There were concerns over the officer positions; that for instance GSU representatives who were not elected to the officer positions might be limited in the kinds of experience they are able to have. Donald and Tyler clarified that the officer positions are intended to provide stability so that the basic operations of the GSU remain consistent all year and that there is greater structure and organization to promote growth. Officers would not have more power of influence, but would have more responsibilities and increased stipends with respect to those priorities.

Donald spoke on the importance of the WSA petition for lower tuition and implored representatives to sign and share it.

The GSU also considered the upcoming elections, hearing that the election commissioners will be starting work on creating guidelines and promoting the election this Friday. The GSU has the opportunity to propose constitutional amendments for the ballot which the body tabled for discussion next meeting.

Donald proposed two tentative amendments. One about the current policy on appointing new GSU representatives after elections if representatives have left which currently goes to an alternate list. Donald proposed that in the event of the list running out, new representatives could submit a petition with the same number of votes as the last person to be elected. The other was to move for a system of voting requiring a 2/3 majority to 50% (+1) for making any decisions. The GSU tabled the proposition to next meeting.

Art Cosantino informed the GSU of developments in smoking policy since the GSU voted in support of banning the sale of tobacco products on campus. The Vice Presidents of the college charged the health and safety committee to come up with a process to address changing the smoking policy, they have not yet acted. The food services contract will have language to the effect that if the college officially changes its policy to ban tobacco sales in future, Aramark will comply. In the meantime, it is up to health and safety committee to decide upon a process before we can move forward.

The GSU discussed on-going projects such as the Idea Paint mural (paint has been ordered and will arrive on Monday), and the Taco Truck (owners have expressed interest and the matter now goes to Sharon Goodman for approval). The GSU also expressed support for forming a DTF to look at the fee process in student affairs, a committee originally proposed by Art Cosantino in 2009.

Finally, the GSU discussed the possibility of having a faculty liaison to the GSU. Several representatives were in favor of the idea saying that the body does not often hear from faculty and it would be a nice addition to have their perspective and wisdom on issues of concern. Other representatives disagreed on the basis that the GSU is a student organization and does not primarily concern the faculty enough to have a liaison sit on/in the GSU, along with the fact that GSU already has a liaison to the faculty. If greater communication is desired, the GSU will be happy to share its notes and allow faculty members to sit in and speak at meetings if they arrange it ahead of time.