Shocking Revelations from ASG’s Winter Meeting: What Did Election Commission Officials Say?

The Associated Student Government (ASG) convened on Wednesday night at Swift Hall, marking the first meeting of Winter Quarter with a series of significant proposals and announcements aimed at enhancing student engagement and addressing ongoing concerns within the campus community.

Among the notable developments was the announcement of a proposed recognition for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, spearheaded by **Zenobia Jordan**, a senior in the **Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences** and the Executive Officer of Justice and Inclusion. She stated, “We’re trying to make Indigenous Peoples’ Day by getting formal recognition through the University. We’re hosting a lot of cultural summits at Norris, hopefully, this quarter.” This initiative reflects a broader movement within educational institutions across the U.S. to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and histories of Indigenous peoples.

Additionally, the ASG addressed financial accessibility for student groups. **John Sisco**, a junior from **Medill** and a board member of the Student Activities Finance Council, reported on efforts to improve the funding process. He noted that many students faced challenges in obtaining their funding vouchers last quarter due to mismatched terminology. “We’ve been getting a lot of concerns about that over the past quarter, justifiably so, so expect a long-term solution to that within the next two weeks,” Sisco emphasized. This move is crucial as it directly impacts the ability of student organizations to execute their activities and programs effectively.

During the meeting, **JJ Nabors-Moore**, a sophomore from **SESP**, announced his resignation from the ASG parliamentarian role for personal reasons. His departure brings a shift in the ASG leadership dynamics as it navigates the new quarter.

In a pivotal move regarding the election process, ASG Co-President **James La Fayette Jr.**, a senior in **McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science**, called for the repeal of clause nine of the Election Guidelines. This clause previously allowed senators to create and edit election rules, which La Fayette Jr. argued could lead to potential conflicts of interest during elections. “It had the potential to cause a conflict of interest,” he stated. Following this discussion, the amendment to repeal the clause passed with 12 votes in favor.

The ASG also moved to elect six members to the **Election Commission** for the upcoming ASG presidential election, with all candidates receiving unanimous support. The newly elected members include **Ryan Beam** (senior, McCormick), **Eliza Marcus** (junior, Weinberg), **Diana Oliver** (freshman, Weinberg), **Monica Riley** (freshman, SESP and Medill), **Chloe Zhu** (freshman, Weinberg), and **Jordan** (freshman, Weinberg). This commission will play a critical role in overseeing the integrity and smooth operation of the electoral process.

In her closing remarks, **Kaitlyn Salgado-Alvarez**, the Speaker of the Senate and a senior in **Weinberg**, addressed recent developments concerning federal funding. She referenced a deal made on November 28 with the Trump administration to restore federal funding, reassuring senators of their responsibility to understand and communicate the implications of this contract with their constituents. “I know that during the break, when this went out, people were very concerned about certain things, like how this would affect campus,” Salgado-Alvarez remarked, underscoring the importance of transparency in governance.

The ASG's initiatives reflect a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. As the quarter progresses, these proposals and changes will be closely monitored by both the governing body and the student body, highlighting the ongoing dialogue about representation, funding, and electoral integrity on campus.