My Board of Governors Report for this past meeting.

Board of Governors of the
Colorado State University System
Meeting Date: October 6, 2010
Report Item

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY-PUEBLO

New ASG Constitution and Policy Manual
          In early September the newly elected Associated Students’ Government Senate passed a new Constitution and Policy Manual to replace the former outdated, contradictory and honestly pathetic document that has governed our student associated for the last thirty-two years.  The new document is divided into a 15 page Constitution and a 60 page Policy Manual. The documents better clarify roles and responsibilities of all ASG members, the Student Fee Governing Board, and other departments that have a direct relationship with the CSU-Pueblo Associated Students’ Government. These documents have been forwarded to the Office of General Counsel for review.

ASG and ASCSU to attend National Coalition of Student Regents and Trustees
          ASCSU President Anderson and I will be attending the 3rd annual National Coalition of Student Regents and Trustees in Tempe, Arizona from October 15th to October 17th.  I know I am excited for any opportunity to network with follow student board members (both voting and non-voting) from all across the country and discuss the dynamics and politics at work within various systems, how to overcome them and ultimately how to best effectively advocate for students we are elected to represent.

CSU-Pueblo Chief Information Officer retires
            Throughout the last nine months I have reported to the Board of Governors the numerous issues that the students have had with campus technology.  On Monday, September 27, 2010 the Chief Information (Technology) officer notified the campus of his impending retirement.  Even though he and I have not seen eye-to-eye on many issues regarding campus technology, I appreciate the years of service he has dedicated to our campus.

            Moving on with replacing the CIO I hope that a nation-wide search begins as soon as fiscally possible and that there is adequate ASG representation on that search committee.  ASG represents a nearly $700,000 allocation to IT and should be represented appropriately.

University vs. Student Center Debate
          The purpose and mission of the university center is coming to the forefront and will be one of the main topics for discussion and debate in the near future.  The likely impending issuance of debt for the renovation of the university center raises much concern about what exactly the new building will consist of. Some of the issues that have arisen include:

·        The Name of the Building

Under President Joe Garcia a commitment from the students to the administration for a name change was put forward to seemingly no objection.  Now that President Garcia is on leave the Vice President for Finance and Administration claims that no such agreement was accepted and that the title Occhiato University Center will remain in place.  The name change would have been Occhiato                                     Student Center.

·        Students have voiced their objection to the current building being operated as a mere conference facility for the community and have expressed their strong interest in having a true student center at our university. The last four ASG administrations have played varying roles in opposing the current operating philosophy. Students want and desire a student center where they can hang out, relax, meet their friends, sit and talk with groups, network with faculty members, study, have formal meetings, eat at a variety of branded food service outlets and take advantage of games and recreational opportunities.

·        The BOG has already approved a Program Plan in 2007 and a committee has been formed (consisting of the Director of Facilities, the Director of Campus Architecture, the Director of Auxiliary Services, the Dean of Student Affairs and myself) to audit that outdated Plan. I have pushed for an external party to come in and review this process to which has been denied by the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The unfortunate aspect of the current plan is that I firmly believe that it focuses more on conference facilities then student-purposed facilities.

·        I have asked for financial information concerning the amount of monies that conference services brings in and what type of economic impact would take place if conferences didn’t take place while school is in session (Fall & Spring). This information still is neither clear nor available and I am hoping it is taken into account when final space allocations are made.

ASG Senate to Oppose Amendments 60, 61 & Proposition 101
          The ASG Senate has proposed a resolution to oppose Amendments 60, 61 & Proposition 101. I am expecting its passage and for the ASG to begin to notify the students of its potential harm to higher education and the State of Colorado as a whole.

Campus Life is Vibrant
            Once again there is a noticeable change in the look and feel of our campus.  Since I began at the university four years ago the dynamics and mindsets of students have change tremendously.  The university has truly turned into a destination rather then a obligation.  We see more students spending more time on campus, participating in more better quality extra-curricular activities.

Vietnam War Memorial

            From September 30^th to October 3^rd CSU-Pueblo hosted the Vietnam Traveling Wall on campus.  Over 7,000 students, staff, faculty and community members visited the wall while it was there.  Among the emotions felt by those that visited the wall were deep emotions, historical curiosity and remembrance of the nearly 52,000 names on the wall.

5-0, CSU-Pueblo is home to a Nationally Ranked Football Team

            For the first time in the history of our university, CSU-Pueblo has a nationally ranked football team.  In an exciting triple-overtime homecoming game #25 CSU-Pueblo defeated former RMAC Powerhouse Chadron State 33-30.  CSU-Pueblo next plays the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.

Safety, Security on the CSU-Pueblo campus

            Some events transpired on our campus last weekend that leave students feeling worried, unsafe and unsecure.  Acting President Frank ordered that a notification be sent to campus nearly immediately after the events transpired.  This is the first time in this history of my time at the university that notification like this took place. Acting President Frank then met with the Associated Students’ Government the next day to assure us that our campus was safe and he would do what it took to keep it that way. 

Respectfully submitted,

Steve Titus 

CSU-Pueblo Student Representative