The AS Review logo.
By PJ Heusted
The Associated Students Executive Board met on Friday, Oct. 21 for their fifth meeting of the 2020-21 academic year.
Black Student Organizations’ Demand Updates
AS President Abdul Malik Ford reported that the Faculty Senate passed motions to review major application requirements, requested immediate action for the University Planning and Resources Council to work towards shredding the contract with Aramark and an approval call for university wide recognition and celebration of Black History Month, MLK Day and Juneteenth.
Alternative Transportation Fee Changes
VP for Student Services Carson Brock presented information that he, VP for Governmental Affairs Nicole Ballard and Commute Options and Transportation Planning Manager Jillian Trinkaus discussed regarding options for adjustments to the ATF fee for winter and spring quarter.
They presented two options: a mandatory $3 fee for all students with an opt-in system that would charge an additional $25.50 if a student wanted to purchase a bus pass with Western subsidizing the remaining $11.50 or charging no ATF fee and directing students to WTA to pay $40 for a student bus pass.
The ATF has not been charged since March of 2020 because WTA bus fares have been waived during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, starting Jan. 1, 2021 there are plans to resume the charging of bus fares.
The Board voted with four in favor and three abstaining in an advisory vote to endorse option one for winter quarter with plans to revisit the topic before spring quarter.
Ford, Senate Pro-tempore Sargun Handa and VP for Diversity Ranulfo Molina abstained from voting.
Ford abstained citing having seen the benefit in a subsidized bus pass, but not feeling comfortable actively supporting implementing new mandatory fees at this time. Handa abstained given that she was undergoing IV infusion in the hospital and not in a state to vote. Molina abstained due to not receiving all of the information as his internet connection caused the meeting to cut in and out.