On Tuesday, Sept. 30, the Asbury Student Congress (ASC) held their monthly meeting where they announced several significant changes and important events.
Student Body President Zachary Fazio started the meeting by addressing concerns regarding the Open Dorm Hour Proposal and the Ice Machine Proposal.
Both of the proposals have been frozen or put on hold due to Student Life budget restructuring. The Open Dorm Proposal has been put on hold and is unlikely to pass for the foreseeable future. In the budget restructuring process, staffing and student wages were affected which does not make it possible to approve extended hours.
The Ice Machine Proposal has also been frozen. While the proposal was passed last year, and the Executive Cabinet intends to move forward with it, nothing can be done at this current time. Machines are under capital spending, which is currently frozen due to budget restructuring, so the initiative is temporarily paused.
“It is still something we’re working towards, but it is just something that has been delayed,” said Fazio.
Aside from proposals, each class gave an update for events and other information.
The Restored Class President Kaitrin Bolling announced that the class is looking forward to hosting their breakout chapel. She is currently finalizing the speaker and who is to lead worship. She also announced that they are organizing a flex credit and additional October event.
Similarly, the Beloved Class President Allie Pickerill announced that the class is working on breakout chapel and a fall and flex credit event.
The Renewed class president, Santi Burgos, announced the flex credit event their class is hosting will be Oct. 10. They are also working on their breakout chapel and their sophomore musical, Camp Rock, is in the works.
The Known Class announced its cabinet: India Young is the class president, Student Intercultural Life Representative is Harper Cryer and the Activities Director is Peyton O’Reilly. The group is currently working to appoint more members.
Additionally, members of ASC discussed the budget reallocation within the student fee. The most significant change was the cut to The Collegian, where the money allotted for the publication decreased from $18 to $12 per student. The money was reallocated to The Asburian, the yearbook.
“We believe that the money they were already receiving is sufficient for operations,” said Fazio.
Other cuts included Partnership with the Arts and the Great Commission Council Fund. Increases in budget included class dues, student government and Worship Him at Midnight (WHAM).
“I just feel very strongly that anytime our students are really showing up to things, we want to try to help support and put our money towards that,” said Joe Bruner, Interim Vice President of Student Life. “WHAM really was a little bit underfunded, so we wanted to fund that.”
In addition, the Asbury Running Club Proposal was approved at the meeting. The club will host runs on Saturday mornings with pre-run devotionals. The club’s mission is to honor God and bring students together through fitness, fellowship and food. They plan to provide energy drinks and donuts to members at their meetings. For more information, students can look to join the GroupMe or Asbury Run Club Instagram page.
At the end of the meeting, Fazio went over important announcements.
The Degree Progress Audit (DPA) will be workshopped in the building for the portal, so changes students make towards their DPA will not be reflected in real time after Oct. 15 and DPA will stop updating completely on Oct. 20. While students can still access their DPA through the portal, it will be frozen. Therefore, any changes made by students, such as adding or dropping a minor, will not be reflected on their DPA.
The project timeline for this maintenance for the portal will be one to two years, so there will be a shift towards a paper standard. Students will have to go in-person and discuss any changes they want to make with the registrar. The registrar is planning to host weekly meetings for students and faculty, so they can stop by and discuss student’s degree progress. These meetings will take place in Kinlaw Library on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This long-term change may affect students’ online registration for classes. Students are encouraged to communicate with their advisor.
Student Governance Association Vice (SGA) Vice President Ashton Montgomery announced openings for the Academic and Institutional Matters (A.I.M.s) Committee. The committee works on proposals relating to academics, so if students are looking to represent certain academic matters in their department, they can contact Anna DeLoach at anna.deloach@asbury.edu.
Other announcements included the New Fresh Ideas Director, Jennifer. Those at Fresh Ideas are currently working on hiring an executive chef and waiting for a dishwashing machine.
Students should also be aware of the Spill the Tea event hosted by Intercultural Life on Oct. 21. At the event, speakers will discuss the play “40 Acres” by Jim Shores, which deals with racial reconciliation.
For more information, students can contact the Executive Cabinet by emailing them directly or by visiting their offices located in the STUCE basement.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Goul.
