ASMSU Senate passes visibility resolution

On Thursday, Oct. 21, ASMSU voted unanimously to pass resolution 2021-R-13, titled ASMSU Visibility and Student Involvement in Legislation. This resolution aims to make in-progress legislation more public and increase opportunities for students to provide input. It requires that all in-progress legislation must be posted outside of the ASMSU office from the time that it is first read before the senate meeting to the time it is voted on. There will also be a comment box set up outside the office for students to weigh in on bills and resolutions.The bill was sponsored by At-Large Senator Atticus Cummings and co-sponsored by Senators Jack Pearlman and Katherine Carlson, respectively. 

According to ASMSU Senate Speaker Kate Riggers, the resolution “was prompted by senators hoping to gain student input on future legislation” and aligns with a goal the senate set at the beginning of the semester to increase its visibility on campus. The resolution is in effect now, with the first in-progress legislation to be read Thursday, Oct. 28, and posted above the comment box by early next week. “The suggestion box will play a big role in making informed decisions based on student input,” Riggers said. 

According to the resolution “one of the reasons ASMSU exists is to give the whole student body a voice.” Posting in-progress legislation allows students to have a say in student government decisions even if they aren’t able to be in attendance at the weekly senate meetings. This resolution should “make it easy for all students to participate in the process of making legislation,” Riggers said.

Students can also email comments and suggestions to their representatives. ASMSU senate meetings are held every Thursday at 6 p.m. with the exception of finals week and holidays. To join the next senate meeting virtually or find the minutes from previous meetings, visit https://www.montana.edu/asmsu/minutes.html.